Hornet set for Classic Fighters

The ‘‘most outrageous, high performance, noisy, very fast piece of military hardware’’ is booked in for next year’s Classic Fighters Air Show.

The FA-18 Super Hornet, a multirole fighter aircraft with a maximum speed of 1960kmh, will makes its Classic Fighters debut at Marlborough’s Omaka Aerodrome in April 2019.

The hornets are an integral part of the air combat capability of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

They are capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a range of weaponry including air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles and 20mm cannons.

Yealands Classic Fighters Air Show spokesman Graham Orphan said having at least one and possibly two hornets flying at the show would be sensational.

‘‘I suppose it’s the most potent aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment,’’ Orphan said.

‘‘It’s certainly something we’ve never had in Marlborough before.

‘‘It’s going to send an echo through the valley.

‘‘You’ll probably hear it from Nelson.’’

This would be the Royal Australian Air Force’s fourth visit to Marlborough, Orphan said.

‘‘We’ve had a growing relationship with the RAAF for some years.’’

The C-27J Spartan made its first New Zealand public appearance at the 2017 Classic Fighters, and the nowretired Caribous had appeared at several shows before that.

‘‘Needless to say, we’re stoked that each time they seem to be wanting to do a little bit more for us.

‘‘Having very fast jets will certainly be a great way to light up the province for Easter.’’

They wanted to make the 2019 show quite different from shows in the past, Orphan said.

‘‘We do have a large number of resident aeroplanes now that we can call on.

‘‘More variety, greater numbers, more excitement and more creativity, which is what we’re known for in Marlborough.’’

Yealands Classic Fighters committee member David Bamfield said the Marlborough air show had always featured some of the world’s most historic combat aircraft, including the Spitfire and the Fokker.

‘‘There are many aircraft of younger vintages that are in every way classic even if they are still state-of-theart.

‘‘ The FA-18 Hornet is one of these and will be remembered long after its eventual retirement as one of the world’s most successful fighters.

‘‘A true classic and we are thrilled and honoured to have it in our midst.

‘‘This will be a very impressive display.’’

The Yealands Classic Fighters 2019 will be held at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim from April 19-21.

Tickets are available www.classicfighters.co.nz. at

SUPPLIED "You’ll probably hear it from Nelson." The FA-18 Super Hornet.