McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet (16-4660)

I knew this was Gary's when I saw the thumbnail! Was this taken at KNFL or KRNO? Another great pic! Thanks for posting, Gary! Cheers!!

Stubby Joe's Last Flight was the final flight for him, and as the Navy steadily replaces its Legacy Hornets, it is probable that 164660's flying days are also numbered. Up close when parked on the ramp, it shows its age, but as Stubby Joe took his last Top Gun style passes over the base, 144660 showed it still looks great flying with the newer birds.

Hey, Howdy, C.W. (Wave) Oops! Once again, I apologize for omitting the airport info. I'm still a bit foggy after some loooooong hours. On the day I was at NFL snapping this, I started out by getting up at 5 AM. Drove west for 35 miles to RNO to be out on the airfield to catch Horizon's brand new retro livery arriving. As soon as I caught it, I was again on the road, driving 70 miles back east (going right past my house and continuing on) to NAS Fallon. I'd been requested to be the photog for Stubby Joe's Last Flight. Several hours (and many hundreds of pics) in the tower and on the ramp for late morning and all afternoon. Then, when his event concluded around 5;00 PM, I was back on the road for 67 miles to KCXP in Carson City to fulfill a photo request there. And, finally, 48 miles more to get back home. 220 miles, 18 hours (including LOTS of on-foot on-the-airfield time), temp never got above 35 degrees, fairly steady breeze all day, and over 1500 pics. I used to be able to do days like that back-to-back-to-back. Not anymore. (Big Grin) Only 15 months shy of 70 and although I can still outlast most anyone around here .... (HUGE grin) .... I can only outlast 'em ... for ONE day. (LOL) I'll add the KNFL info to these pics, and TYVM for kickin' my britches to remind me. (Both Thumbs Up)

Hi Gary!!
fantastic pic of the last run!!
thank you also for the very nice DC3!!
greetings from a very stormy Rhein-Main!!!
Uwe!!

Good work Gary!

Hiya Gary! Wow! that is A LOT of work! Having recently celebrated the "31st anniversary" of my 21st birthday, I know what you mean about "stamina"...LOL!! Always look forward to your next great FA shot! Really not many F-18C's in the fleet anymore. Just didn't look like KRNO,and have never been to KNFL. Thanks so much and both thumbs up to you as well, Gary! Cheers!!

Gary... You earned *F*I*V*E* x10 stars for endurance and perseverance on that day! :-)

Another great photo capture, by the way!!!

Uwe!! Hey, how is it going? You are welcome for the pic (and you should have already received another of a Southwest). I am sooooo buried in military photos. I'll send a gorgeous shot of an F-18 blasting away. Leland ... TY. And I just saw your post today oF that exquisite BOAC retro. Man, oh, man! That ship is gorgeous and your pics of it are stunning! I'd d/l it if it did not have the FA w/mark. Yours are billboard quality shots. And I'm extremely jealous of you and Uwe and all the FA photogs who are able to see and click that beauty. The BOAC livery is fabulous! Bravos on your captures, Leland ... all of them. You are one of our fave FA photogs. C.W. ... It WAS a LOT of work, but it was SUPER fun. And I just accepted a request to be the photog at an aviation "portrait" event. THAT will be a TON of work, but I'll get to snap a huge variety of a/c. And work isn't work if it is fun, right? (Grin and a Thumbs Up)

I have been told by an FBI agent I know that "they are Gray"....but after Gmans explanation of that "day" I am now "green" with envy..............................5x