F/A-18A and E Hornets at SAR 2006

1. There's a new name for the original Hornet.  "Legacy Hornet" refers to the smaller, first version with the round (not square) air intakes and overall smaller size. This is a Legacy Hornet.	2. Legacy Hornet's canopy.	3. Legacy Hornet's BuNo. Strangely there is no reference to A or C models. It's obviously not a two-seat B.	4. Tail of the Legacy Hornet.
5. Pilots of two FA-18Es from VMF(AW)-224, based in Beaufort, North Carolina flew impressive demos both days.	6. During a low-speed fly-by.	7. On Sunday, the lead "Super Bug" (as the F-18D & E are nicknamed) blew a tire landing after the demo. Smoke is seen trailing from the burning tire.	8. No flame was visible, but it must have been a challenge to keep it tracking straight down the runway.
9. Soon after it stopped, the canopy opened. There was no apparent rush for the crew to exit the airplane.	10. Emergency equipment was fast onto the scene.	11. View of all the vehicles that came together.	12. The other Hornet landed and taxied back to First Class Air with no difficulty.
13. Later I asked one of the pilots why the extra FA-18 was not put on static display.	I was told that since they had to depart Springfield soon after the end of the air show, they decided it would be easier to park away from the static display area.	As a result, people, including this web master, who had looked forward to seeing an F/A-18E, like the kind that was on static display, from the same unit, two years ago, were disappointed.	Here's hoping that in the future,  organizers and flight crew consider the value of displaying these impressive airplanes, symbols of our great country,   where they can be seen and truly appreciated by all who come to the air show.

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