Walkaround #677

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A+ Hornet 

Reference photos by Ken Middleton

  USA Independence Day 2005 

Photo 1

 

      

F/A-18A+ VMFA-115 “Silver Eagles” BuNo 163133

These photos were taken at the Quonset, Rhode Island airshow on 17/18 June 2005. 

Two Bobs Decals makes markings for this jet:

  • 72-031 F/A-18A/C/D OEF/OIF Marine Hornets  

  • 48-062 F/A-18A+ Patriot Hornets  

  • 32-016 F/A-18A+ Patriot Hornets    

Note the name on the speed brake – Capt “Puj” Hooks. It is in memory of former pilot Capt. Franklin Hooks II, assigned to the “Silver Eagles” of Marine Fighter-Attack squadron One One Five (VMFA-115), who died in 2004. This marking was added after the decal release.

 

I got this excerpt from the Navy’s website:

 

“Hooks died when his F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed while conducting exercises off the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman near the Azores Islands on June 26. Hooks began his military career as an Electronics Technician when he joined the Navy in 1990. In 1993 he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1997.”

Also note the flag/eagle markings are a bit different on the tails now.

Ken Middleton

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4
Photo 5

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 6

Photo 7

Photo 8
Photo 9

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 10

Photo 11

Photo 12
Photo 13

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 14

Photo 15

Photo 16
Photo 17

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 18

Photo 19

Photo 20
Photo 21

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photo 22

Photo 23

 

Photos and text © by Ken Middleton