McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet, N843NA / 19, NASA
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N843NA
Construction Number: 19
Code Number: 843
Military Unit: AMES-Dryden Flight Research Facility
Model McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet
Operator: NASA
Airport: Edwards AFB (EDW / KEDW), USA - California
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 07/05/1993
Date Submitted: 19/01/2009
This early model (Lot 3) F/A-18A is ex-Bu.No. 161250. Transferred to NASA originally as 845 in October 1987, and later registered N843NA it was subsequently transferred back to the Navy. (Note: The new 843 is Bu.No. 161519 a former Blue Angels Lot 4 machine which was transferred to NASA in July 2001). It was photographed in the hangar at the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility. In the mid to late 1980s, the US Navy transferred eight F/A-18As and one F/A-18B to NASA for use as chase and proficiency aircraft. They eventually replaced all of the F-104 Starfighters that had previously been operated by NASA in the chase role. NASA has also used its Hornets for a variety of research programmes, the first being the High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) programme which began in 1987 to test operating at high angles-of-attack.
Picture ID:1153509