Blackbirdfan wrote:
Its painted, same plane in all the pics. The pic of the one on the ground looks like its unpainted because I was trying to pull the pilot doing a "raise the roof" as he taxied past out. In doing so, it screwed with the overall look of the plane. ( I can shoot a cool pic, but sometimes my post processing leaves a bit to be desired.)
Will
I propose that that F-22 Raptor shown here is indeed unpainted, or at least not with the special low observable paint. I am close to Langley AFB in Virgina and I can assure you the operational F-22s here do not look like that. The tail code is "OT" which would suggest an
Operational
Test F-22 from Edwards- which is the most logical place for a F-22 visitor to Beale to come from.
On operational F-22's you can not see the panels and screws like on display here. I propose we have an unpainted, non-stealthy, test F-22 here.
Great photographs!
I agree the patchwork appearance of this aircraft is non standard, could well be they are simply cutting costs by keeping them from proper livery, these dedicated demo units are extremely expensive.