| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 999709 |
| Military Code: | 00 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (F-21) |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (F-21) |
| Aircraft Version: | Israel Aircraft Industries F-21A Kfir |
| C/n (msn): | |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Navy |
| Unit Markings: | VF-43 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Virginia Beach - Oceana NAS / Apollo Soucek FieldMap |
| Region / Country: | Virginia, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KNTU IATA: NTU Local: NTU Other: - |
| Event: | NAS Oceana Air Show 1987 |
| Photo Date: | 19 September 1987 |
| Photo by: | Stephan de Bruijn |
| Photo ID: | 544957 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Built as Kfir C1 (IAF serial 709) and later modified to Kfir C1P. 709 was leased to the USN between Apr'85-May'88. The USN/USMC leased 25 Kfirs between '85 and '89, which were officially designated F-21A. They were modified for use as unarmed adversaries. 12 F-21s were painted in this 3-tone blue-gray "ghost" scheme and were operated by Fighter Squadron (VF) 43 "Challengers" ('AD'), operating out of Oceana. In 1988 they were returned and replaced by the F-16N. The other 13 were assigned to VMFAT-401 at MCAS Yuma (AZ), these were replaced by the F-5E in '89. 709 is last seen stored at Tel Aviv. This photo is copyright © Stephan de Bruijn, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 6 February 2023, and has since been viewed 492 times. |