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Post by colford on Jul 29, 2021 22:58:50 GMT 12
RAAF has unveiled today a special scheme on one of No.75 Squadron's F/A-18 Hornets. The special 'Magpie' scheme will remain until the type is retired from service and is likely to be an attraction at any 'farewell tour' appearances for the Classic Hornet at any airshows that go ahead between now and then.  Magpie 1 by Colin Ford, on Flickr  Magpie 2 by Colin Ford, on Flickr  Magpie 3 by Colin Ford, on Flickr  Magpie 4 by Colin Ford, on Flickr If Wings Over Illawarra 2021 and Australian International Airshow 2021 at Avalon go ahead, then I expect this F/A-18 will be high on everyone's list of "we want to see it" attendees. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2021 23:01:21 GMT 12
Currawong II  Terrific colour scheme! |
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Post by mcmaster on Jul 29, 2021 23:39:00 GMT 12
Yes I agree a good scheme to take the Classic out before 75 sqn converts to the F35. Another nice touch is it’s name tagged with WGCDR Ross Fox a much respected and popular leader in the RAAF. He died tragically in 1990 near Katherine, NT after a mid air collision with another hornet. Fox died instantly as a result of the collision, which saw the outer portion of A21-29’s port wing flown by FLGOFF David Smith slice through the forward fuselage of A21-42. FLGOFF Smith was able to land safely at Tindal, however, WGCDR Fox’s aircraft crashed about 35 km from Katherine at a place ironically called Hornet Hill. Interestingly I believe Fox’s aircraft had a top hat on the tail but the magpie better relates to the squadron as it’s represented on their crest.
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Post by planecrazy on Jul 30, 2021 9:58:53 GMT 12
Looks great, be cool to see all the special scheme Hornets together.
Magpie, 33 years of Hornet "Crazy Monkey" and the “Worimi Hornet."
Are there any more, I remember a two seater had the topsides in a
tiger scheme as well?
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 30, 2021 18:02:15 GMT 12
There was one in Desert Air Force P-40-inspired markings that disappeared right after it was unveiled due to talk that they perhaps hadn’t got the colours right.
This looks amazing. What a way to farewell the type from 75’s service. Stunning!
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Post by mcmaster on Jul 30, 2021 19:32:18 GMT 12
There was one in Desert Air Force P-40-inspired markings that disappeared right after it was unveiled due to talk that they perhaps hadn’t got the colours right. This looks amazing. What a way to farewell the type from 75’s service. Stunning! I remember that one. Thought at time it looked cool and didn't get all the fuss. My early favorite was a Cobra mouth on the 3sqn CO's jet for an ex at Clark AFB with the USAF shark mouthed F4s. Cobra is 3sqns lead radio callsign. |
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Post by planecrazy on Jul 30, 2021 20:13:27 GMT 12
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Post by Mustang51 on Jul 31, 2021 15:26:48 GMT 12
The desert P.40 scheme carried personal codes and markings of Wg Cdr Bobby Gibbes.......BTW Top Hat was Sqn Commander's aircraft
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Post by mcmaster on Sept 21, 2021 17:51:39 GMT 12
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Post by machina on Sept 25, 2021 17:52:47 GMT 12
Cool scheme. Suits NZ pretty well. Maybe we can tart the Super Hornets up like that when we buy them off the Aussies 😂
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Post by mcmaster on Sept 25, 2021 19:40:58 GMT 12
Cool scheme. Suits NZ pretty well. Maybe we can tart the Super Hornets up like that when we buy them off the Aussies 😂 With the Air USA deal to buy 46 Classics looking like it's off, lots of these aircraft sitting around if NZ is keen. 😉 One owner, garaged, log books etc ... 😄 |
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 26, 2021 14:12:02 GMT 12
Sure would be cool for one to end up in a Kiwi museum!
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