The US Navy Super Hornet demo team performed at McChord AFB for the second time in 2003. Unfortunately, Marsha and Dude were only three passes into their routine when mechanical problems forced them to terminate the display. Luckily, with the weather conditions perfect for some great vapour shots, we at least got to see the high speed pass - with spectacular results!
Here is a ten shot sequence of the most impressive high speed pass I have ever seen at an airshow. A heavy rainshower had just passed through the area, from which lingering clouds can be seen in the first three images. The Super Hornet took to the skies just as the sun was making an appearance. That, along with the still very saturated air from the rain, left us with the results below:
More shots from the brief, but impressive demonstration:
About the only time the Super Hornet wasn't pulling vapour was when it was taxiing along the showline:
The Super Hornet demo team is from VFA-122 'Flying Eagles'. The demo jet was a VFA-122 aircraft but the back-up jet was from VFA-2 'Bounty Hunters', piloted by a VFA-122 crew. Below are images of the Super Hornets on the active ramp and departing for home after the show.
