See the US Air Force's 'Franken-bird' F-35 made from wrecked stealth fighters take its first flight

See the US Air Force's 'Franken-bird' F-35 made from wrecked stealth fighters take its first flight

An F-35A Lightning II painstakingly salvaged from two wrecked aircraft took flight in January.US Air Force photo by Todd CromarA salvaged F-35 fighter made from two wrecked aircraft is set to return to the US Air Force's fleet.The restoration began in 2023. The jet took its maiden flight in January less than two years later.The "Franken-bird" cost about $6 million to repair, whereas a new F-35 costs over $80 million.A one-of-a-kind F-35 stealth …