Corpus Christi, TX – Museum Officials aboard the USS LEXINGTON have received approval
to become the permanent home of the famous Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft that has thrilled millions
of enthusiasts worldwide while flying with the famous Blue Angels. Executive Director, Rocco
Montesano said, “We have had a request with the Navy for over four years to obtain an F/A-18
aircraft for our collection. To obtain one that was flown by the Blue Angel lead pilot makes this
addition even more significant. The F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike
fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Measuring 56 feet in length and with a
wingspan of 40.4 feet, the plane is scheduled to arrive by truck in Corpus Christi at approximately
9:00a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008.
Of note, NAS Corpus Christi was home to the Blue Angels from 1951 to the winter of 1954 at
which time they were flying the F9F-Panther. In 1955, they relocated to their present home at NAS
Pensacola, Florida and began flying the F9F-Cougar. In 1957 they began flying the F11-F1 Tiger and
graduated to the F-4J Phantom II in 1969 followed by the A-4F Skyhawk II in 1974. In November
1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their
present aircraft, the sleek F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the
nation’s front lines of defense.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Engines: Two General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans, each rated at 10,600 lb.s.t. dry and 15,800 lb.s.t. with afterburning.
- Performance: Maximum speed Mach 1.8 (1190 mph) at 35,000 feet. Landing speed 150 mph.
- Combat ceiling: 50,000 feet.
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- Combat radius: 460 miles (air-to-air mission).
- Maximum range: 2875 miles.
- Weights: 28,000 pounds empty, 38,000 pounds gross, 56,000 pounds maximum takeoff.
- Dimensions: maximum wingspan 40 feet 8 inches, length 56 feet 0 inches, height 15 feet 3 inches, wing area 400 square feet.
- Fuel: 1670 US gallons internal. A total of three external 330 US gallon drop tanks can be carried, raising total fuel to 2660 US gallons.
- Armament: One 20-mm M61A1 cannon in nose. Up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or up to four AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles.
In addition, up to 17,000 pounds of fuel, missiles, and ordnance could be carried on four underwing hardpoints, two fuselage corner stations, one centerline point, and two wingtip points.
Click on a plane to view it's description.
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