F/A-18 Hornet

2 F-16s (one each from the Netherlands and Belgium) had put on stunning displays of manoeverability and missile avoidance, and now it was the turn of the F-18 from the Aérea de Torrejón Base in Spain which is the Ala 12 squadron's home.

The F-18 is an extremely versatile military aircraft, used in providing air defence for navy fleets, fighter escort for transport and bomber planes, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat, and reconnaissance.

In comparison to the single engine F-16, the twin engine F-18 is quieter, in that its engine noise isn't as harsh and doesn't rip up the air.

Where it shines is that it's highly manoeverable owing to its powerful thrust to weight ratio, and the pilot demonstrated this ability very well, by tail-walking the F-18 at low altitude along the beach, and then applying thrust to take the plane into a steep ascent at low speed. It was awesome to watch.

To read more posts on the Barcelona Airshow, click on the Label "Festa al Cel" below.