Royal Air Force visiting Tonopah secret base
The Tonopah Test Range (TTR, also designated as Area 52) is a unique historic site and a highly classified, restricted military installation of the United States Department of Defense, and United States Department of Energy, located about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Tonopah, Nevada and about 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Groom Lake, the home of the Area 51 facility. In the 1980s, Tonopah Airport became a major operating location for the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk and a home of the Tactical Air Command 4450th Tactical Group. Their mission was to evolve the classified F-117A Stealth Fighter from a test programme into its initial operating capability. Since the F-117 project was highly classified, Tonopah Test Range became a black project facility.
As a rule, the landing of airplanes on TTR airport was and is still strictly prohibited without valid permits. Even in an emergency, clearance to land is difficult to obtain. However, if such a case does occur, planes that land in an emergency and with a valid reason are usually carefully inspected, seized for several days, and the crew regularly imprisoned, only to be released after a debrief that can last up to a week.
The problem of that airport is only one more – it is located very close to the territory where the exercise RED FLAG takes place.
This is where both stories related to this set begin.
The RAF is a regular participant in the exercise RED FLAG for decades… However, F-4 FGR.2 1989 and Tornado Gr.1 1990 had to make an emergency landing at TTR during their RED FLAG exercises. The crews of both planes experienced a little adventure, and the planes were marked – they received an F-117 ZAP to commemorate this visit.
WHAT IS IN THE ENVELOPE:
– Decal sheet for 2 RAF aircraft with stencils
F-4M Phantom FGR.2 (XV476) “S”
Tornado GR.1 (ZA474) “FG”
– Background stories, history and details
– Photo quality profiles and instructions
– Aircraft detail guide
– Small F-117 transfer foil sticker
– Recommended literature
– Personal notes area
LEGAL ALIENS
1/72 PV-007-72
1/48 PV-007-48
