X-32's Makeover: Before And After

0
3K

The National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) has just completed its full restoration of the Boeing X-32A, the loser to Lockheed's X-35 in the Joint Strike Fighter competition nearly two and a half decades ago. The transformation from beaten-up relic — which is already regularly derided as one of the ugliest fighters ever flown — to gleaming showpiece is incredible.

The museum took custody of the X-32A, the only one on Earth, back in 2005. The jet, which flew 66 times during testing, had sat outside for years before being stored inside and eventually put through the facility's restoration program starting late last Summer. The work took around three months to complete and it's stunning what the NMUSAF crew was able to achieve in that short time frame. The X-32A now looks better than it ever did.

Let's take a look at the before and after (all photos credited to the NMUSAF).

Before:

After:

 

 

It is a splendid transformation for one of the most interesting and misunderstood aircraft around.

There is no doubt about it, the X-32 is one bizarre looking bird, with it's 'pregnant' belly and big under-bite chin. But the production version would have looked markedly different, and much more like a fighter. You can see exactly what an 'F-32' would have looked like and what its intended capabilities would have been with those drastic revisions by checking out our past feature here. You can also read about why it lost from the viewpoint of one of its test pilots here.

One of the many renderings from our exclusive article showing what the production F-32 would have looked with the help of our master artist friend Adam Burch of <u>hangar-b.com</u>.
One of the many renderings from our exclusive article showing what the production F-32 would have looked with the help of our master artist friend Adam Burch of hangar-b.com.

 

Regardless of what could have been, the X-32's homely appearance remains the butt of many jokes to this very day.

 

The X-32A's brother, the short-takeoff and vertical landing X-32B variant, which flew 79 times, is the only other example of the type to ever exist. That aircraft is on display outside at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland. It has seen better days.

X-32B baking in the sun out at NAS Patuxent River's naval history museum. <u>UnaDriver</u> via Wikicommons
X-32B baking in the sun out at NAS Patuxent River's naval history museum. UnaDriver via Wikicommons

The Air Force's premier aviation museum has been on a restoration roll as of late, with the acquisition and rapid restoration of an SU-27UB with a very shadowy past also occurring recently.

If you want to go see the renewed X-32A for yourself, it should be on display soon at the NMUSAF's sprawling facility at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, and you can guarantee that, no matter what, it will look very surprised to see you!

Sponsorluk
Site içinde arama yapın
Sponsorluk
Kategoriler
Read More
Other
Smooth Moves: How to Navigate Your House Move, Connect with Neighbors, and Live Sustainably
  Introduction Congratulations on your new home! Moving house can be a whirlwind of...
By SamMacneil 2024-08-14 21:29:14 0 3K
Other
Opening an Escrow Account in Abu Dhabi? Here’s How ADGM Is Making It Safer Than Ever
Security and transparency in conducting high-value transactions have never been as critical in...
By trustin 2025-10-14 07:48:02 0 169
Uncategorized
BMPT Terminator: Russia's New 'Tank' Has Already Been to War in Ukraine
Built on the chassis of a T-72 main battle tank, the BMPT Terminator is an armored support...
By Ikeji 2024-02-19 05:18:31 0 3K
Other
Emaar Amaris Luxury Apartments – Crafted for the Discerning Buyer
Emaar Amaris, a prestigious residential project located in Sector 62, Gurgaon, is a symbol of...
By Harshit_Pandey 2024-11-06 04:20:02 0 2K
News
A “Very Rare” Military! Meet The Balkan Country That Operates U.S., Chinese, Russian, French & Israeli Weapons
A Balkan country with a turbulent past has been making concerted efforts to modernize its...
By Ikeji 2025-01-06 07:16:06 0 1K
Sponsorluk
google-site-verification: google037b30823fc02426.html