Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet — U.S. Navy’s Do-It-All Aircraft” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/mcdonnell-douglas-f-a-18-hornet/.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet — U.S. Navy’s Do-It-All Aircraft
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Annihilator
Emissary
Photos are awsome, always like aviation pics.Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet — U.S. Navy’s Do-It-All Aircraft” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/mcdonnell-douglas-f-a-18-hornet/.
Talyn
SAINT
Mr. Dabbs,
There are no F/A-35 Lightnings. The following are the "formal" designations for the three different models.
F-35A - USAF & foreign operators (CTOL)
F-35B - USMC & foreign operators (STOVL)
F-35C - USN only (CATOBAR)
BTW - The F-35 is proof a brick can fly Because the USMC requirement drove the fuselage design for the required lift fan. While the Lift fan "bump" isn't present on the "A" & "C" the F-35 is far from sleek. "Pudgy" is a more accurate term.
But it does have and excellent sensor suite.
There are no F/A-35 Lightnings. The following are the "formal" designations for the three different models.
F-35A - USAF & foreign operators (CTOL)
F-35B - USMC & foreign operators (STOVL)
F-35C - USN only (CATOBAR)
BTW - The F-35 is proof a brick can fly Because the USMC requirement drove the fuselage design for the required lift fan. While the Lift fan "bump" isn't present on the "A" & "C" the F-35 is far from sleek. "Pudgy" is a more accurate term.
But it does have and excellent sensor suite.
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TEXASforLIFE
Ronin
while reading thru the article and seeing a blue angle aircraft w/#2 plane I double checked the pilot's name (Lt' James Haley on the side.................just happens to be a graduate from my home town.
The Squids? Good thing I am like a gun, with only one trigger...
I digress as I am here with kindred spirits and with that said, "FLY NAVY". As the AOA on the Hornet is second to none. Or it was as it like many aircraft called "trucks" last well beyond their intended lifespan. The Buff (B-52), the Intruder (A-6), Phantom (F-4), Corsair (F-4), Huey (UH-1), Kiowa (OH-58, A,C&D), Cobra (AH-1), Thunderbolt II (A-10), Eagle (F-15) and a few others. Taking years for the Generals in the rear with the gear, with future job slots to various companies in the military complex to get em replaced. Look they are already wanting to decommission many of the Raptors (F-22) that are still shining on every engagement before anyone knows they are there. Only got a chance to fly the sling-wings, but something to be said looking at thousands of hours in a log as you hit the starter switch...
I digress as I am here with kindred spirits and with that said, "FLY NAVY". As the AOA on the Hornet is second to none. Or it was as it like many aircraft called "trucks" last well beyond their intended lifespan. The Buff (B-52), the Intruder (A-6), Phantom (F-4), Corsair (F-4), Huey (UH-1), Kiowa (OH-58, A,C&D), Cobra (AH-1), Thunderbolt II (A-10), Eagle (F-15) and a few others. Taking years for the Generals in the rear with the gear, with future job slots to various companies in the military complex to get em replaced. Look they are already wanting to decommission many of the Raptors (F-22) that are still shining on every engagement before anyone knows they are there. Only got a chance to fly the sling-wings, but something to be said looking at thousands of hours in a log as you hit the starter switch...
Thebathook
Alpha
Great article, but not the end of the story. After the "Service Life" of some of the F/A-18's some are picked up by other government agencies such as NASA. Where they get an extended life as Research Aircraft as well as Support Aircraft used as "Chase Planes" escorting Research Aircraft. I worked on the NASA F/A-18 aircraft that helped develop Thrust Vectoring, High Alpha Research and Autonomous Air Refueling as well as other projects. It seems that sometimes it's the last stop for some aircraft. One such aircraft after it's original "Service Life" was used with the Blue Angels and after that life was turned over to NASA and used for research and support and finally need up on a "Stick" outside the Local Minor League Baseball Park in Lancaster, CA. Another (HARV) is on Display at the Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton, VA. There are even parts (Stabilizers) from an F/A-18 mounted on an F-15 as "Canards" for Flight Research. So the F/A-18 really can Do-it-All.