May 26, 2017 10.12 am This story is over 81 months old

Royal Canadian Air Force to send CF-18 Hornet fighter jet to Scampton Airshow

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will be sending one of its CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to the Scampton Airshow on the weekend of September 9 and 10, 2017. The distinctive twin-engine fighter, a version of the F/A-18 Hornet produced by McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, is the backbone of the Canadian Air Force, and will be…

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will be sending one of its CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to the Scampton Airshow on the weekend of September 9 and 10, 2017.

The distinctive twin-engine fighter, a version of the F/A-18 Hornet produced by McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, is the backbone of the Canadian Air Force, and will be one of the stars of the extensive static display in the airshow.

The show, which takes place at RAF Scampton, home of the Red Arrows, on the weekend of September 9 and 10, will feature up to 100 aircraft both on and off the ground.

The Red Arrows will also perform at the show. Photo: Andy Cottington

Thousands of Canadian airmen were based in Lincolnshire during the war serving within the Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command, Coastal Command and Fighter Command.

One unit flying bombers, 420 Squadron was formed at RAF Waddington near Lincoln in December 1941, and flew more than 530 sorties in eight months before transferring to Yorkshire where the bulk of the RCAF bomber squadrons were based.

Airshow Director Paul Sall said: “The history between Lincolnshire and the Royal Canadian Air Force is undeniably strong with many Canadian Air Force personnel based in the county through the Second World War.

“The connection with RAF Scampton is particularly of note with 30 members of the legendary 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron being Royal Canadian Air Force.

“To confirm the Royal Canadian Air Force will be sending a CF-18 Hornet to be part of the inaugural Scampton Airshow is just magnificent and reinforces thelong standing relationship with Lincolnshire.”

Tickets are available on the website here.