The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built. Canadian CF-188 Hornet 188776 was chosen to receive a special paint scheme to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). NORAD is an agreement between Canada and the United States of America that monitors and defends North America against any hostile aerial aggression. More commonly known as a CF-18 in Canada 188776 will be the 2018 Demonstration aircraft that will fly in air shows throughout Canada and the U.S.. It will be piloted by Captain Stefan “Porcelain” Porteous, a ten year veteran. NORAD’s motto - We Have the Watch.. |