Did you know that the A-4’s wings were so small that they didn’t require a folding mechanism for carrier ops? Despite its size, the nimble jet could carry 9,900 lbs (almost its entire empty weight) in weapons!😮 Photo via @kadonkey. #avgeeks#aviation#aviationdaily#USNavy
#OTD: 16 years ago, company test pilot Jon Beesley took the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II into the air for the first time (Dec 15, 2006). Thus started the most expensive, comprehensive and controversial, flight-testing program in military aviation history.#avgeeks#aviation