Hobby Master Archive

The first two of thirty three F-35I Adir (“Mighty One” in Hebrew) ordered by Israel arrived on December 12, 2016 with the option to purchase seventeen more. Aircraft 901 was unveiled in June and made its first flight on July 25, 2016 followed by 902’s first flight on August 8, 2016. Both aircraft were assigned to the 140 “Golden Eagle” Squadron based at the Nevatim AB in the Negev Desert. The first nineteen F-35Is will be in the standard configuration while the remaining aircraft will be equipped with Israel’s own systems and weapons.