UK Defence Secretary flies out of Canberra on RAAF Super Hornet

A couple of F/A-18F Super Hornets departed RAAF Fairbairn in Canberra on 21 March 2024. It was windy. They were loud. Very loud. The audio isn't great due to the incredible racket made by the aircraft but the images are as good as my camera will produce. The light was fading but afterburners were a nice touch. The SAAB 340 was an annoyance but in the end didn't ruin the shot. A little earlier in the evening a SAAB340 declared an emergency after an engine cowling came loose. It returned on one engine. Classic Link Airways. Update: According to The Guardian, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shaaps was on the rear seat of one of the Hornets, flying from Canberra to Adelaide. This is also supported by an article in Alert 5. The second aircraft had both seats occupied. The first aircraft had just one. The distance between the two cities is around 1,000kms. That would have been a very interesting trip for the Defence Secretary, and far more exciting than the VIP Boeing BBJ. #aviation #aviationhistory #superhornet #F/A-18 #F-18 #F/A-18F #raaf #canberraairport #planespotter #planespotters #UKdefence #grantshapps #adelaide