McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) F/A-18C "Hornet"

During its years of operation with the Blue Angels BuNo 163435 wore every number from 1 to 6. It wore the number 3 as it flew over Dallas-Fort Worth during Operation America Strong. It is carrying number 4 in honor of Admiral Pat Walsh, a resident of the Metroplex and a former Blue Angel pilot.

Did you know the airplane has a name? KATHRYNE. On the inside of a nose wheel door the plane has the name painted on it.

The Museum’s F/A-18C “Hornet”, 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.

This aircraft is on loan courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida, on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command, and was acquired with the financial and technical assistance of the DFW Tailhookers.