On July 11th, 2024, another Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk found its way to an aviation museum when F-117A USAF #82-0819 Raven Beauty arrived at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma. If there was ever a museum that was deserving of an F-117 it is the Stafford Air & Space Museum, which is named in honor of Weatherford native and legendary test pilot and astronaut, Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford, the man who wrote the specs and established the program that led to the development of the F-117 Stealth Fighter, and later, the B-2 Stealth Bomber. The museum stated it required “eight years of preparation” to bring the fighter to Weatherford, which sits along Route 66. Officials posted several photos and videos of Raven Beauty as it was being hauled down Weatherford streets to its final destination.
This Nighthawk is one of a series of aircraft that were recently assigned to aviation museums across the United States. In November 2019, Lockheed Nighthawk F-117A 82-0803 went on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. This airframe reportedly flew 78 combat missions, more than any other examples of the breed. In October 2020, the Palm Springs Air Museum received F-117A 85-0833 Black Devil which, following a period of restoration, went on display in April 2022 in a specially designed exhibit at their new Jim Houston Pavilion. In December 2020, the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum welcomed F-117 Nighthawk 85-0817 Shaba to their facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In early 2021, Castle Air Museum had the good fortune to receive confirmation that they too would receive a Nighthawk; F-117A 85-0813 Toxic Avenger arrived in July 2022, and its restoration is currently well-advanced. Then in March 2021, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska announced the assignment of F-117A 85-0831, which is reportedly the highest-time example in the fleet with 2,720.7 flight hours. Last but not least, the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia received its Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk in May 2023 and following a period of refurbishment, will go on display sometime next year.
The F-117 now at Stafford made its first flight on April 14th, 1986. While assigned to the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron the jet flew 30 combat sorties during Operation Desert Storm. Later in the decade, it flew 20 sorties during Operation Allied Force and finally five sorties part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was retired from Holloman as part of the second group on October 12, 2007.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
The museum at Hill AFB also has a -117. I last saw it about a year ago and it was in the throes of “restoration” which is an odd term for replacing the parts removed during the demil process.