American Notes Defense

The radar-dodging F-19 Stealth fighter plane, a supersecret Air Force project, has long been the subject of gossip. Tom Clancy features it in his new best seller, Red Storm Rising, and one toymaker has gone so far as to produce a 12- in. model. Though the Air Force will not comment on reports that the plastic toy is 80% accurate, as its makers claim, sales have been high among the Lockheed workers in Southern California who have had a part in the project. Last week the status of the F-19 became a bit less murky. The Washington Post reported that about 50 of them are hidden in hangars in the Nevada desert and are being flown regularly by the Tactical Air Command. Once again, there was no confirmation from the Air Force.