The Raptor by velocicrapper
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Description
Taken at Nellis Air Force Base Airshow, November 2005. For more photos, visit http://www.warbird-photos.com
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The ultimate figher in Air Superiority, the Lockheed F/A-22 Raptor based out of Nellis AFB takes to the skies during the Nellis AFB Airshow 2005. The idea for a fighter like the Raptor was drawn up as early as 1981 when the Air Force wanted to have a fighter that could make the priemiere fighters of the time (F-16 Viper, F-15 Eagle) basically obsolete by the start of the 21st century. Both Lockheed and Northrop put their bids in for a fighter, Northrop with their YF-23 Black Widow II and Lockheed with their YF-22 Raptor. The Raptor won, and after much testing the YF-22 Raptor took flight for tests in late 1990 at Edwards Air Force base and spent three months in flight testing. Just recently, the first few Raptors have been put into full operational service. Edwards Air Force Base, Nellis Air Force Base, and Langley Field all have F-22 Raptors.
2005 was called the year of the Raptor unvieling since the Raptor participated in more airshows than ever before. I think it's safe to say that the 2006 Airshow season we'll be seeing a lot more of the F/A-22 Raptor.
Note - The image is not as sharp as it could have been due to the exhaust from a QF-4 Phantom II taking off just before the Raptor's roll.
Shot with a Canon Rebel XT EOS 350D DSLR Camera (8mp). Lens was a Canon 100-400mm USM IS F4.5L Series.
Comments (11)
Bill_Wa
the slightly out of focus works well for this shot, very nice. Should have been the Boeing Design though, LOL
ysvry
sorry but, The ultimate figher is the EURO-fighter.
Dann-O
A needed change after all everyone else is flying SU-27's. Great pic.
velocicrapper
Sorry ysvry, the Raptor's proven itself already and it hasn't even reached full service yet :-P
j_turn
poetry in motion. It's a beautiful bird. Talk to the pilots and they'll say the same.
CaperGirl42
Beautiful picture-wow I would have loved to see her take off! What a beauty- I love planes- the new and the old-"spitfires'....love them!
DJB
It almost appears you were right behind it with that lens. I know zero about these,as we do not see many fighters in Canada. Seeing this however will make me travel to our next airshow in Abbotsford. Perfect shot in every aspect to me.
jcv2
Oh wow, incredible capture of this jet fighter, so close, and with these speeds! Excellent work, very impressive! :)
marinaio
it's fantastic...compliments
ModestyB
Splendid capture!!!!!!!!!
Brenda_Guiles
A very cool capture! Congrats on this one! :)