UPDATE (January 6, 2021)
The Museum will be closed on January 16, 2021 for a private dedication ceremony by the DFW Tailhookers for the new F/A-18C aircraft. The ceremony is a by-invitation only event and size restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being followed.
Frontiers of Flight Museum is proud to announce that it will add a new aircraft to its collection, a Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18C-23-MC (Lot 10) “Hornet” that was flown by the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (better known as the Blue Angels). The aircraft comes to the Frontiers of Flight Museum from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. It’s acquisition was made possible by the DFW Tailhookers, who raised the necessary funding to bring the aircraft to Dallas.
The aircraft, BuNo 163435, has a long service history. It rolled out of the St. Louis McDonnell Douglas facility in 1987 and was transferred to the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82 (nicknamed the “Marauders”) based at NAS Cecil Field, FL. From fall 1990 through spring 1991 the aircraft was deployed aboard USS America while it performed combat operations supporting Operation Desert Storm. Later, it served in VFA 81 (the “Sunliners”), based at NAS Oceana, VA. In June 2006 the Navy transferred the veteran aircraft to the Blue Angels. During its years of operation with the Blue Angels it has worn every number from 1 to 6. During 2020 it wore the number 3 as it flew over Dallas-Fort Worth during Operation America Strong.
UPDATE (December 14, 2020)
The Museum has begun preparing for the arrival of the aircraft. Last week the Golden Age Gallery was relocated to the Mezzanine area to make room for the Blue Angel aircraft.
Today the Museum received two intake covers that will eventually be used on the aircraft.
