DFW TAILHOOKERS BROUGHT A BLUE ANGEL F-18 TO DALLAS

DFW Tailhookers raised the $32,000 required funds with $5000 corporate donations from Sewell Automotive and Jupiter Chevrolet for disassemble, transport from Pensacola, reassemble and prep for display at Frontiers of Flight Museum. 

On January 15, 2021, DFW Tailhookers delivered F/A-18C "Hornet" Bureau Number 163435 to the Frontiers of Flight Museum.  Built by McDonnell Douglass in 1987 and first assigned to VFA-82 Marauders.  The aircraft flew combat missions off the carrier USS America (CV-66) during Operation Desert Storm.  The aircraft went on to serve with VFA-81 Sunliners before assignment as a Blue Angel demonstration aircraft in 2006.  Flying with the team through 2020, this Blue Angel wore number 3 as she proudly flew over Dallas-Fort Worth during Operation America Strong in salute to our first responders and health care workers.

The dedication ceremony on January 16th allowed the museum to kick off the new year with an exciting new aircraft and also serve as a “retirement” for the F/A-18C "Hornet", which the Blue Angels first flew in 1987.  The keynote speaker at the event was ADM Pat Walsh, a Dallas native, former Vice CNO and PACFLT, and Blue Angel #4 in 1987.