Ford Creates Mustang After Failed Fighter Plane

Ford Mustang Honoring F35 Aircraft (Credit: © EAA / Ford Motors)

Someone at Ford needs to read up on recent military aviation history, because the automaker is releasing a special 2015 Mustang that shares a design with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which was built by Lockheed Martin. The design on the pony car coincides with the markings on the U.S. Navy’s F-35C, especially the unmistakably flashy tail.

Past Ford Mustangs have been designed to look like the jets flown by the Blue Angels, the SR-71 Blackbird, and even the legendary “Red Tails” which were famously flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Going with the F-35C is an odd choice, considering it is an airplane that has been legendary for creating big problems. In fact, it is the most expensive weapons program the Department of Defense has ever funded, and the planes have been grounded for mysterious engine fires.

Ford Mustang Honors F35 Aircraft (Credit: © EAA / Ford Motors)

For those who aren’t already aware, since 2008 the automaker has created a special edition of the Mustang that has an aviation theme patterned after a specific aircraft. The one-off car is then put on display at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture, which is held in Oskkosh, Wisconsin. The car is then auctioned off for charity at the Gathering of the Eagles, which is held at the show.

There’s no denying that the F-35 is a nice-looking airplane, and the same goes for the Ford Mustang. Perhaps Ford knew some vindication for the beleaguered warplane was due, because the F35 has once again been cleared for limited flight. It’s possible the Navy will figure out why the engines have been failing and finally turn what has been an embarrassment into something genuinely cool. Still, Ford’s creating a homage to such a controversial airplane is an interesting move, to say the least.