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Fighter Pilot REACTS to F-35 LIGHTNING Airshow

About this video

Max reacts to an F-35 Lightning demonstration at an airshow, analyzing its maneuverability and BFM (basic fighter maneuvers) capabilities. He expresses surprise at several maneuvers, particularly a falling-leaf-like maneuver achieved without thrust vectoring, which Max describes as impressive for killing other jets in combat. Max argues the F-35 demonstrates strong one-circle and two-circle fighting ability, tight radius turns, and good vertical maneuvering despite its reputation as not being primarily a dogfighter.

Key takeaways

  • Max observes that the F-35 performed a falling-leaf maneuver without thrust vectoring that he found exceptionally impressive and had not seen before.
  • Max argues the F-35 demonstrates strong BFM capabilities including tight minimum radius turns, good nose authority for one-circle fights, and solid rate-fighting ability for two-circle engagements.
  • Max compares the F-35’s maneuverability favorably against jets like the Rafale, Eurofighter, and F-16, placing it at the top of recent non-thrust-vectoring jets he has reviewed.

Episode details: published May 11, 2025 · 41.4K views · 10:26 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The analysis and commentary described are Max Afterburner’s, attributed to him — his channel includes hypothetical-scenario and news-react content, which is presented as his analysis, not established fact.


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