Hobby Master Archive

The first of three developmental Lockheed F-35Bs for the RAF was completed in November 2011 with the first flight on April 13, 2012. These three aircraft have been delivered for evaluation and designated BK-01, BK-02 and BK-03 with each aircraft assigned the RAF serial of ZM135, ZM136 and ZM137 respectively. These RAF serials are being used to resemble the original Lightning F.1 serials used in the 1960s. The only difference is the first Lightning F.1 was XM134 but since it crashed a year later BK-01 was started at the second aircraft XM135 (ZM135).