Comments on: Classic Hornet retired after over 30 years of service

By: Gerald Casimatis

Gerald Casimatis — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 04:38:31 +0000

Thanks Phil. I believe 25 were earmarked for Canada, 8 for exhibition and some to go to a training school in the USA. The rest will probably be refurbished for sale. If retained even for a relatively short period of time one operational flight is better than nothing. Its also worth considering due to the depth of expertise we have in these aircraft and the assumed accumulated equipment and spares availability. Dare I mention the need to enlarge our defense capabilities quickly!

By: Brian Jago

Brian Jago — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 01:04:42 +0000

Are any earmarked for museums?

By: phil

phil — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 22:17:08 +0000

In reply to Gerald Casimatis.

Gerald Casimatis:- I hope you are aware that Canada’s Department of National Defence – or its agency are purchasing some of the RAAF’s F/A-18 A/B’s(Classics) to bolster their Hornet assets, prior to being replaced by an as yet undecided successor; whether the SAAB Gripen JAS39; or the Boeing [Bong] F-18 E/F Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin -35 ‘Lightning 2 {which imo Australia has mistakenly purchased..}

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 12:11:46 +0000

I hope we get to see a Static Classic FA/18 Hornet stored inside under cover of the RAAF Museum Williams Point Cook. I will never forget the times when I visited Darwin when I would see the Classic FA/18 Hornets roaring across Darwin Harbour backwards and forwards to Tindal NT along the coast during the Pitch Black exercises!

By: PJ

PJ — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:39:47 +0000

With the China challenge about to hit would make sense to do a refurbishment and store at least for a few years? Keep reserve pilots qualified ?
Same with our ships, M113, M1A1 etc replaced on a 1 for 1 only. Reserve mothball fleet an option?

By: Rocket

Rocket — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:57:07 +0000

Slow, no payload hardly anc a pathetic combat radius. Good riddance.
Of course, we did buy the F model too on a whim with no advance analysis and it suffers too from pathetic range. Buying the F/A-18F is analogous to digging up copper wire and replacing it with copper instead of fibre so not a surprise in the recent government playbook.

Congratulations and thanks to those who flew them however. It wouldn’t have achieved anything if it wasn’t for their skill.

By: Harldin

Harldin — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 23:18:20 +0000

To all the Pilots and Ground Crew who flew and maintained the Classics in both peacetime and conflicts a huge round of applause for a job well done.
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By: Gerald Casimatis

Gerald Casimatis — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 21:11:53 +0000

In the short term I hope enough F18’s are kept in reserve or semi operational and updated. This would help in case we have problems with our rear defense particularly in the South Pacific including and the cost of maintaining and operating F35’s from sub optimum and remote air bases. In addition training hours on f35’s would be reduced until a suitably advanced replacement is found for the Hawks.