Wings & Wheels – Meet the Aircraft – Part 3
The CF-18 Hornet. Canada’s fighter. From the 425 Squadron in Bagotville Quebec, the Hornet is a regular visitor at Wings & Wheels. Pilots and spectators alike love coming to Downsview Airport every year.
One of the highlights of past shows has been the opportunities to see the CF-18 beside the museum’s CF-105 Arrow replica. Separated by nearly 50 years, both aircraft represent the apex of aviation technology for their respective times.
CF-18s have served in the first Gulf War as well as in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Approximately 80 still serve in an air defence role across Canada and the fleet is undergoing a modernization project.
Wings & Wheels provides an opportunity to get very close to both the aircraft and their crews. “Cherry”, standing, was extremely friendly and great with the hundreds of kids who got a cockpit view during the 2008 event. His arrival and departure was a real treat (especially the special manoeuvres on arrival).
At least one CF-18 will be at the 2009 Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival.
(BTW, the plane in my masthead picture is Cherry’s Hornet performing a “runway check” last year)
Tags: aviation, Canada, Wings & Wheels
Great looking plane. Airshows are such fun events for the kids. I remember when I was a kid in awe looking at a stealth bomber back in the early 90s.