Franken-bird F-35 takes flight!

After many years on the ground two separate F-35s took flight as one.

Report by Robin Polderman, photos by USAF/Todd Cromar

A remarkable restoration project came to life in January when a composite F-35A airframe, made from two separate damaged aircraft, successfully took flight from Hill AFB, UT.

An F-35A with tail number 17-5269/HL suffered a nose gear collapse at Hill AFB in June of 2020, causing considerable damage to the forward fuselage of the aircraft. Earlier, on 23 June 2014, an engine fire damaged the rear section of F-35A 10-5015/EG at Eglin AFB.

What to do with two damaged F-35s? Mate the usable parts to make a new one! The restoration was a collaborative effort between the F-35 JPO (Joint Program Office), Ogden Air Logistics Complex, the USAF’s 388th Fighter Wing, and the original manufacturer Lockheed Martin. During the project, the team at Hill created unique tooling, stands, and other equipment to support and join the separate fuselage sections. This was done at the Ogden complex before the Franken-bird was returned to the 388th FW in November of 2023 for the final stages of restoration.

Two separate fuselage sections, of F-35A 10-5015 and 17-5269, ready to be mated.

By salvaging usable sections of two otherwise written-off aircraft, and investing less than US$ 6 million, the USAF receives a jet that would have cost US$ 80 million to replace.

After its check flight at Hill AFB, the aircraft headed to the Lockheed Martin facility at Fort Worth for final certifications, after which it will return to Hill AFB once more to join the 4th Fighter Squadron.