A fancy British warplane sits trapped at an Indian airport after more than three weeks of problems. The expensive F-35B fighter jet landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 when bad weather forced it down. The aircraft developed mechanical troubles and could not fly back to its home ship HMS Prince of Wales. Six Royal Air Force guards watch the million-dollar machine around the clock. Local people have started making jokes about the jet that seems to love Kerala state.
Fourteen expert engineers flew from Britain to fix the broken warplane. The repair team brought special tools and equipment needed to get the aircraft working again. Earlier attempts by ship engineers failed to solve the technical problems. British officials moved the jet into a covered hangar for better protection from heavy monsoon rains. The high-tech plane can take off from short runways and land straight down like a helicopter.
The stranded fighter has become famous across India as photos show it soaked by tropical storms. Social media users joke that the aircraft wants to stay in Kerala because tourism ads call it Gods country. Politicians have even talked about the situation in the British Parliament. Military experts warn that engineers might need to take the jet apart completely if repairs fail. A huge cargo plane would carry the pieces back to Britain if the advanced fighter cannot fly again.
Fourteen expert engineers flew from Britain to fix the broken warplane. The repair team brought special tools and equipment needed to get the aircraft working again. Earlier attempts by ship engineers failed to solve the technical problems. British officials moved the jet into a covered hangar for better protection from heavy monsoon rains. The high-tech plane can take off from short runways and land straight down like a helicopter.
The stranded fighter has become famous across India as photos show it soaked by tropical storms. Social media users joke that the aircraft wants to stay in Kerala because tourism ads call it Gods country. Politicians have even talked about the situation in the British Parliament. Military experts warn that engineers might need to take the jet apart completely if repairs fail. A huge cargo plane would carry the pieces back to Britain if the advanced fighter cannot fly again.
