A Nest Of Hornets

Selfridge played host to a nest of hornets this last weekend on the flight line.

 

There were Canadian Hornets in demonstration livery:

 

US Navy Hornets represented by a EA-18 Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-131.:

And the rare US Air Force Hornet:

 

Up until this weekend I did not realize the Air Force had the Hornet in inventory. They do.  Yes, the US Air Force operates the Growler as part of the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron.

Unfortunately, both Canadian CF-18 Hornets were down-checked and unable to fly at the show due to maintenance issues.

But we did get to see the Growlers fly as they left Selfridge at noon.

They then formed up and did a loud and fast flyby.

Then they headed back to base.

Given the Super Hornet's popularity due to it's featured role in Top Gun: Maverick, the extra and unscheduled flyby was appreciated by the crowd.  

The CF-18 Hornet

Last to perform and making the most noise of all the performers was the CF-18 Hornet.

The Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet demonstration team had the plane in livery honoring the BCATP, the British Commonwealth Air Training Program that trained thousands of pilots and air crews during World War 2 in Canada.

To put the power of the CF-18 in perspective, it has more thrust than all of the CT-114 Tutors on the Snowbirds demonstration team combined.

He decided to demonstrate that power with an overhead pass with the afterburners lit:

Talk about there and gone, and loud while doing it. It rocked.

You can get a good look at the false canopy painted on the belly of the aircraft in this shot. A Canadian Forces Hornet trademark, the false canopy is supposed to confuse enemy fighters in a furball.

He did some impressive maneuvers and the tricky light made photography darn difficult to capture the fast moving aircraft.

Coming in quick, this series of shots is less than 5 seconds total time:

He did some very need meaneuvers and then ended with an overhead pass for a grand finale.

Then it was time to come in for a landing.

The plane was then admired on the ramp.

It was a great show.