Hobby Master Archive

The 412th Test Wing / 410th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB were the last units to operate the F-117. F-117A first flew in 1987 and on December 1, 1988 was the first F-117 to test the new OCIP II upgrade. Between November 27 and December 6, 1990 #831 wore a painting of a skunk on its belly as a tribute to the Skunk Works. On December 6, 1990 #831 was flown to Area 51 to celebrate the retirement of the company’s president Ben Rich. The painting was removed immediately after the event.