We are excited to announce that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have confirmed their participation in the Yealands
Classic Fighters Air Show 2019. The FA-18 Super Hornet, a multi-role fighter aircraft with a maximum speed of 1,960 km/h
(Mach 1.6), is an integral part of Australia’s air combat capability and will make its Omaka debut in 2019.
Classic Fighters has enjoyed great support from the RAAF throughout the years. Most recently in 2017 when the C-27J
Spartan made its first New Zealand public appearance and before that over several shows with the popular and now retired
Caribous. However, the 2019 air show will see this support significantly cranked up in both speed and firepower. The
Hornets are capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a range of weaponry including air to air missiles,
laser guided bombs, anti-ship missiles and 20mm cannon.
David Bamfield, Yealands Classic Fighters Committee Member and former Air Vice-Marshal said “Classic Fighters has always
featured some of the world’s most historic combat aircraft including displays that can only be seen at Omaka: the Fokker
Triplane formation, V-1, and three Spitfires for example. There are many aircraft of younger vintages that are in every
way Classic even if they are still state-of-the-art. The FA-18 Hornet is one of these and will be remembered long after
its eventual retirement as one of the world’s most successful fighters. A true Classic and we are thrilled and honoured
to have it in our midst. This will be a very impressive display.”
It has not yet been confirmed how many of the Hornets will be jetting their way to Classic Fighters 2019 but they are
certain to make their presence known with a thunderous display of speed, power and manoeuvrability, don’t miss it!