F/A-18F Super Hornet Part 3

Although the 2005 London Air Show was cancelled barely a month before it was scheduled, a few aircraft still came and performed here on the last weekend in June. Aside from the Snowbirds and a CF-18, to my considerable surprise a pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets made their London debut (they also made my day!). The two Super Hornets, both based at NAS Oceana, Virginia, carried markings of VFA-106, the Fleet Readiness Squadron, and VFA-11, one of the former Tomcat units that has recently transitioned to the "Super Bug" or "Rhino" (apologies to all of the F-4 lovers out there who think that nickname has only one rightful owner!). Above, the VFA-11 aircraft taxis back after putting on an impressive flying demonstration.

Having a CF-18B and an F/A-18F parked beside each other (and both performing in the air) made apparent the changes between the two aircraft. While superficially similar, virtually every aspect of the two planes are different.

Returning from its demonstration flight, the "Legacy Hornet" is framed by the nose of its much newer brethren.

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the first-generation F404-powered Hornets and the Super Hornet with its F414 engines are the new air intakes. These intakes are much larger to cater for the new engines' demands for air.

The main landing gear, while superficially similar to that of the older Hornets, is much beefier to cope with the higher gross weights of the Super Hornet.

The other F/A-18F that came to London stayed on static for the day. It wore the markings of VFA-106 "Gladiators," the Atlantic Fleet's Fleet Readiness Squadron for the Super Hornet. The FRS' job is to train new aircrew for the F/A-18E and F/A-18F and help squadrons transition to the Super Hornet.

All of the flying surfaces of the Super Hornet were substantially increased in area to keep wing loading and maneouvrability within accepted parameters. The increased wing span and area of the deployed flaps is apparent here.

The VFA-11 Super Hornet taxis by with its wings folded. The fuselage of the Super Hornet is noticeably deeper under the wing than that of the Legacy Hornet.

The horizontal taiplanes of the Super Hornet are much larger than those of its predecessor. As well, the corners have sharp angles instead of curves, an attempt to improve the stealth characteristics of the airframe.