Honolulu F18s

[tomcat14]

Hi there. Back in September I found myself at Honolulu airport awaiting my return flight back to Los Angeles and onward to London after a family holiday that took in Hawaii. Standing at the gate I had a good view of the comings and goings and it was a great surprise when two USMC F18s appeared on the approach in amongst all the airliners. Of course, Hickham is essentially attached to the airport site so that would obviously explain it. Anyway I managed a few shots (albeit through glass and the horrendous heat haze). The aircraft are attached to VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" but what I find interesting is that they both seemed to be coded the same. Hope they're of interest.

165527 & 164950 by wokinghampaul, on Flickr

165527 VMFA-312 F/A-18D by wokinghampaul, on Flickr

164950 VMFA-312 F/A-18C by wokinghampaul, on Flickr

Paul

[Amp]

Great schemes. So pleasant to see some colour on the grey.

[paddyboy]

Cracking trio of shots there, Paul

[Thunder]

When did VMFA’s start operating mixed C/D units, never seen that before?

[Parfitt]

Lovely looking

[Canberra TT.18]

When did VMFA’s start operating mixed C/D units, never seen that before?

For sometime (2-3 years).
Can't find the article.
But due to lack of Ds, because some are needed for training I believe. Cs are added to some VMFA units.
As Cs are available in larger numbers as also ex-USN are available.

Nice pictures.
Great looking aircraft.

[Jason Grant]

What a way to finish your holiday with these two beauties. Great catch.

[Thunder]

When did VMFA’s start operating mixed C/D units, never seen that before?

For sometime (2-3 years).
Can't find the article.
But due to lack of Ds, because some are needed for training I believe. Cs are added to some VMFA units.
As Cs are available in larger numbers as also ex-USN are available.

Nice pictures.
Great looking aircraft.

I think you’re thinking that C’s were added to the VMFA(AW) units to supplement the D’s, not the other way round.

Just looked up VMFA units, and didn’t realise that there is only one VMFA(AW) unit left, obviously just spreading out the available airframes across the 5 remaining F-18 units, regardless if C or D.

[XWP29]

Really like the F-18’s in any form and these are very well captured, lovely and colourful thank you for sharing, hope we get more in the UK like these before they all go over to the 35’s.