F/A-18 Hornets to show at Warbirds.
“Super-fast, super-powerful and an extraordinary sight” is how Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow event manager, Mandy Deans, describes the F/A-18 Hornet fighters which have just been confirmed to appear at Wanaka.
Ms Deans, who saw the Hornets in action in Australia last year and the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust, announced yesterday that four of the ultra-modern jets would be appearing at Warbirds Over Wanaka on April, 2, 3 and 4.
Four Hornet fighters from the Royal Australian Air Force will be among the many ‘stars’ lining up to give aerobatic displays to the thousands of spectators at this year’s international airshow. The aircraft will be in New Zealand on exercise with the RNZAF and will be taking ‘time out’ to appear at the airshow.
“The airshow provides an important opportunity to further extend Australia’s close defence relationship with New Zealand. The speed and extreme manoeuvrability of the F/A-18 Hornets are sure to impress as they showcase formations during the airshow” said Air Marshal Mark Binskin, Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Developed originally for the US Navy and Marine Corps, the multi-role Hornet fighter is one of the world’s most advanced aircraft. It can achieve a speed of 1915km/h (1190 mph) and fly above 45,000ft.
The fighters have been fully operational with the RAAF for over 20 years and are capable of carrying a range of sophisticated missiles and laser guided bombs. They are designed to perform day or night air strikes over land and sea using precision-guided weapons and perform all roles of counter air.
Warbirds Over Wanaka CEO, Roger Clark, said the Hornets will perform on Saturday and Sunday during the airshow at Easter. He added that at the past two Warbirds Over Wanaka events in 2008 and 2006 an F1-11 jet had thrilled crowds, swooping in from the North and giving a loud and dramatic display.
“Now having four Hornets flying in formation down over the mountains to show off their heavy metal at Wanaka will give airshow visitors a unique experience” he said. “It will be something people will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Like the F1-11s before them, the four Hornets will not land at Wanaka.
The confirmation that the jets would appear comes after considerable planning with the RAAF and is hard on the heels of the confirmation in late January that a German Wing-Walking act and a rare Mitsubishi Zero WWII fighter would also be performing at the airshow.
Warbirds over Wanaka is being held over Easter 2nd, 3rd, 4th April, 2010.
Tickets at www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com or 0800 224 224.
ENDS
Tags: Air Show, F/A-18 Hornet, Wanaka, Warbirds Over Wanaka
so why does the pic show an F-15?
No, its not a F-15. It is a F/A-18.
Leave your response!
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