Nice little clip. I flew CF-18s for ten years when they were brand new (from 1986 to 1996). During the conversion course, the new ones for our future squadron (433 in Bagotville) arrived at 410 in Cold Lake, and I flew some single-seaters that had only about 20 hours on them. Smelled like new. Good to see that the upgrades have kept the old bird relevant.
@@maxnormand4581 With the upgrades, the CF-18 is still relevant today. It's a tribute to the foresight of those selecting the aircraft that it was upgradeable with new avionics, radar, and other sensors to make it an effective fighting machine in the early 2000s. The F-16, which was the other choice when we bought the Hornets, has also proven its ability to be upgraded to maintain combat effectiveness over the decades. Today, though, the Hornet is old and tired, and we need the F-35 yesterday.
Once upon a time I was stationed a Holloman Air Force Base (New Mexico). I was in the Civil Engineer Squadron, which includes the base fire department. While they were preparing for an air show the deputy fire chief, MSgt Widmark, had a question about the list of airplanes we were expecting. "Sir, WTF is a 'CF-18'? 'Cargo-Fighter'...?" I was like "Dammit, I should know this." It took me an embarrassingly long time to remember "Oh, it's a Canadian F-18." 😅
Very nice, much appreciated, enjoyed the video but just a few things to add... Spent five years in a CF18 squadron as an avionics technician in Cold Lake. First, notice the tail numbers. Anything that starts with a seven is a single-seater. Anything that starts with a nine is a two-seater. Notice the 045 tail number. That's an Australian jet that Canada bought a few years ago. As for CF18s being out of date. Really? Fighter jets are just a platform. CF18s have been upgraded three or four times? Avionics? New radar? Satellite data links? So, launching a sidewinder, laser guided bomb or JDAM from an F35 or F18 really makes no difference.
Well said. Alot of old planes from cold War etc show up at airshow. Maybe not for modern combat but the F 18 like you said is not that aged of an aircraft.
I read a post somewhere that said an F35 paired with some older jets like these could be ideal as the older jets would be data linked missle and bomb platforms for the F35.
Wow! What a clever guy well they all are I always stop to see if I can see the jets here in Britain just amazing ♥️🇬🇧 there was one today the noise ! But when you spot it 😂 brilliant and I’m pensioner lady !
Does anyone know why the AEXTE Sting upper body torso anti g suit idea was abandoned? It seemed very promising? The USAF introduced something familiar I think with the introduction of the F-22 Raptor. Then there was talk about that 'Raptor' cough when using it. Thank You.
Heck yeah. Thanks to our Military for service. I must say the government of Canada needs to get you guys some new top of the line equipment. We are a wealthy modern nation and should have the best equipment for the ones protecting us and our livelyhood.
God you’re a hero among pilots I hope to finish my ppl then move on to some multi ifr and cpl and do something up north. No university degree so I will never become an rcaf pilot :(
Yes, good luck too in your future aviation endeavours. The younger generation today is so lucky, as all professions & trades are wide open and there is a struggle to fill the vacancies that have or will materialize. In my youth, all I wanted to do was be a bush pilot, however, back in the years c.1975-2010, 'everybody and their grandmother' wanted to work in aviation, and hence, too many holders of a CPL were driving taxis, etc. It was sad, it was heartbreaking. Today, post-Covid, that has all changed. The issue these days is the exorbitant costs in obtaining a PPL, hours to qualify in completing a CPL, IFR, night and float ratings, narrows the list greatly to those able to save and/or obtain loans to complete courses and acquire hours (a rich father helps!). Back in c.1995, one could acquire all the aforementioned for approx. C$40k (but still only a very remote prospect of employment). Today?? Double the cost??! However, many small bush operators are hiring CP's with about 250 hours or even less. Nevertheless, again, good luck to all the young people today with the sky as limit in their vision & dreams...
The CF-18 is a generation of jet that *really* worries Russian and Chinese forces. The next generation of fighter (F-35, etc.) is icing on the cake. An F-35s cost to buy, and operating costs, ensure that it can't be the workhorse that an F-16 or CF-18 is.
It essentially uses the same missiles as the newer jets; it's just the frame that's old. Moreover, its turn rate is better than that of the Super ,The jet exceeded Canada's expectations and has no issues continuing to operate for another 20 years. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's better. as a Canadian i am proud of r military
Most of NATO is flying 1980s and '90s tech. Except where the USAF is flying B-52s designed in the late '40s and built in the '50s. The mechanics probably know what they're doing, and when to retire a fatigued airframe.
We will need to upgrade these birds for patrolling the Artic, f 35s are good for some things but single engines over all that empty space doesn't sit we with me, ideally we should buy the new F 15 Stike Eagle too for patrolling and interceptions of Russia aircraft, don't need many but I'd say around 40 should be enough and have F18s still on standby. That's how I want my tax dollars to work.
Maybe the A and C don't mean the same thing when it's a Canadian-built plane. 🤷♂ Or maybe it doesn't matter, considering how many upgrades they've had since they were built.
There’s plenty of older airframes in frontline service with other air forces. Well maintained and constantly upgraded, with well trained pilots, the CF-18 is still a potent weapon system.
I have much respect for the people who serve our nation. However i have no respect for the gov’t that keeps the old aircraft in service. The cf18 that canada flies is one of the oldest generation of the F18 planes.
The Canadian Air Force could probably walk all over their Iranian counterparts. We have evidence that they can fly *3* Tomcats... We have no evidence that they're trained any better than the Russian bozos who are 2 years into their "3-day operation".
Leon , Have you served ? Or do you just get your takes from UA-cam videos..Myself and my whole family served and I have lost many friends .. Show some respect for your country and the people that have not made it ..Our army was neglected for a very long time thanks to the government..I guess when the time comes back seat drivers like you better hope that we can protect this country .
Wad Trudeau in power 10 years ago? No it was Harper. And aircraft/airframe can last a long time and be safe. It's the electronics/avionics that go out of date.
@@CurtHegel Technically, yes - but the Liberals were the ones who derailed the F-35 buy, and when Justin got into power he famously said we'd 'never' buy the F-35. He delayed things by asking for a competition, and came to the unavoidable conclusion that the F-35 was the best option. That was something the RCAF had figured out years prior. Politicians messing with military procurement to get votes is NOT okay.
I wonder how G limited that derelict air force is. Feel sorry for the pilots, I'm sure they are as capable as any if that pathetic government would do their jobs.
The planes had a 7.5g governor when they were new. I would think it's good news for the long-term state of the plane when the pilots can't over-G it in the first place.
@@danielcamacho1913 I'm sure that helped but they are grandpa's doing a young man's job. And how does Canada get away with having an air force that is smaller than our aggressor fleet? They spend nearly nothing on "collective defense".
The fat-ass "Super Hornet" is overrated. It's a *marginal* improvement over the F-18C. Doesn't have the radar or the range of the F-14 it replaced. The controls are still governed to 7.5g. The best missile it can use is the AIM-120 that the CF-18 already uses. The main reason to buy the so-called Super Hornet is if you need to replace fatigued air frames, and the original F-18 is out of production.
Remember that the conservatives were not as budget friendly as they should have been for the Canadian Forces and sadly the current government has possibly been even worst for the Forces. Let’s hope the next government is into rebuilding the Canadian Forces but sadly I am not convinced that they will be, in part to to the free spending of our current government.
They're spending a significant amount on our military; .New warships, submarines, fighter jets, missile defense systems, upgraded ground radars, and the construction of new military bases-none of these are built overnight. it takes time
Canada ordered 88 F-35A Block 4 (coming 2026) 16 P-8A Poseidons and Mq-9B Reapers along with hellfire rockets and like 10 tankers and tankers and 4 helis!
@@rixxy9204 The F-15 is every bit as versatile, and I can't imagine why you'd think otherwise. It has been in continuous production since the 1970s because there's always a customer who wants it.
So you're arguing that we should buy more F35s and do nothing with them except train, let Russia topple Ukraine so they get stronger, and wait for them to move north over the arctic, rather than directly bringing the fight to an aggressor (Russia) by helping Ukraine fight them off? What exactly is your logic? Do you study history? That's called appeasement, and it almost lost WW2 to Germany because nobody supported Poland etc, and just let Germany expand unchecked thinking 'its not against us, we'll just build up our defense so it doesn't affect us'.
Trudeau gives billions away to any special group he thinks can buy him votes... you really think Ukraine isn't a more important cause than votes for Trudeau? Give me a fn break.
Big deal. The CF 18 Has never flown a combat mission in its 30 year history. Canada always plays the peace keeper role, so we don’t even put guns or bombs on these old planes. I’d rather hear about Snoopy’s adventures against the Red Baron.
lol... you know nothing. They have been in combat and I know several of the pilots that flew them into combat. I sense your expertise comes from YT vids and airshows.
This is badass! Love it
nice to see you here
Matsimus out in the wild!!!!!
Nice little clip. I flew CF-18s for ten years when they were brand new (from 1986 to 1996). During the conversion course, the new ones for our future squadron (433 in Bagotville) arrived at 410 in Cold Lake, and I flew some single-seaters that had only about 20 hours on them. Smelled like new. Good to see that the upgrades have kept the old bird relevant.
What does a new jet smell like?!
"relevant"
@@maxnormand4581but it is relevant?! Most of our “enemies” like Iran still mostly fly 60s jets…
@@maxnormand4581 With the upgrades, the CF-18 is still relevant today. It's a tribute to the foresight of those selecting the aircraft that it was upgradeable with new avionics, radar, and other sensors to make it an effective fighting machine in the early 2000s. The F-16, which was the other choice when we bought the Hornets, has also proven its ability to be upgraded to maintain combat effectiveness over the decades. Today, though, the Hornet is old and tired, and we need the F-35 yesterday.
@@InfoTivoliFilms Like a Corolla!
so cool these guys get to fly these things. I drive forklifts so it's pretty close.
Forklifts don't fall out of the sky either.
@@JohnHill-qo3hb Yes, Hornets fly out of the sky all the time. Ha ha.
You ROCK man! I fly The Chevy Malibu, with a kid's booster seat in the back.
@@telecomex Pulling G's!
These are the rockstars of the RCAF.
They should keep getting the attention and funding they need to train and always remain sharp
Many thanks to the men and women of the Canadian Armed forces 👍
🙌
Once upon a time I was stationed a Holloman Air Force Base (New Mexico). I was in the Civil Engineer Squadron, which includes the base fire department. While they were preparing for an air show the deputy fire chief, MSgt Widmark, had a question about the list of airplanes we were expecting.
"Sir, WTF is a 'CF-18'? 'Cargo-Fighter'...?"
I was like "Dammit, I should know this."
It took me an embarrassingly long time to remember "Oh, it's a Canadian F-18." 😅
I want to see a Cargo-Fighter now! lol
Thank you for your service to our country.
Very nice, much appreciated, enjoyed the video but just a few things to add...
Spent five years in a CF18 squadron as an avionics technician in Cold Lake. First, notice the tail numbers. Anything that starts with a seven is a single-seater. Anything that starts with a nine is a two-seater.
Notice the 045 tail number. That's an Australian jet that Canada bought a few years ago.
As for CF18s being out of date. Really? Fighter jets are just a platform. CF18s have been upgraded three or four times? Avionics? New radar? Satellite data links?
So, launching a sidewinder, laser guided bomb or JDAM from an F35 or F18 really makes no difference.
Well said. Alot of old planes from cold War etc show up at airshow. Maybe not for modern combat but the F 18 like you said is not that aged of an aircraft.
What was it like to work on these beasts?!
Doesn't make a difference launching from an F-35 or an F-18. 😳...😳
I read a post somewhere that said an F35 paired with some older jets like these could be ideal as the older jets would be data linked missle and bomb platforms for the F35.
@@SA-cn4jc Statistically single engine fighters are more reliable. Once F-35 is at least to Full Operational Capability, the CF-18s will be retired.
Can’t wait till you folk get those Lightning II’s in service. Would be great to see!!
Great video!
Just to add...
Notice the 035 tail number as well.
So it was an ex-Aussie jet then... didn't notice it when I watched the video.
Outstanding series... 👍
Very cool.
Thanks for the work you do!
Going to miss these birds when the F-35 comes online.
Same!
You might be waiting a while
Canada is going to have CF-18s for a while.
i see some of our Ex-RAAF Classic F/A-18A hornets
Wow! What a clever guy well they all are I always stop to see if I can see the jets here in Britain just amazing ♥️🇬🇧 there was one today the noise ! But when you spot it 😂 brilliant and I’m pensioner lady !
Does anyone know why the AEXTE Sting upper body torso anti g suit idea was abandoned? It seemed very promising?
The USAF introduced something familiar I think with the introduction of the F-22 Raptor. Then there was talk about that 'Raptor' cough when using it.
Thank You.
"Faster than your mom's Corolla" :)
Jetstream was a great documentary
Have downloaded the CF-18 NATOPS. 1076 pages long!!! Download it, Folks!!! Very interesting read.
Especially the mechanics of the aircraft.
I had to look that up... that is one thick read!
Heck yeah. Thanks to our Military for service. I must say the government of Canada needs to get you guys some new top of the line equipment. We are a wealthy modern nation and should have the best equipment for the ones protecting us and our livelyhood.
God you’re a hero among pilots I hope to finish my ppl then move on to some multi ifr and cpl and do something up north. No university degree so I will never become an rcaf pilot :(
That’s great! Good luck with your flight training.
Rcaf pay is 💩
Yes, good luck too in your future aviation endeavours. The younger generation today is so lucky, as all professions & trades are wide open and there is a struggle to fill the vacancies that have or will materialize.
In my youth, all I wanted to do was be a bush pilot, however, back in the years c.1975-2010, 'everybody and their grandmother' wanted to work in aviation, and hence, too many holders of a CPL were driving taxis, etc. It was sad, it was heartbreaking. Today, post-Covid, that has all changed. The issue these days is the exorbitant costs in obtaining a PPL, hours to qualify in completing a CPL, IFR, night and float ratings, narrows the list greatly to those able to save and/or obtain loans to complete courses and acquire hours (a rich father helps!). Back in c.1995, one could acquire all the aforementioned for approx. C$40k (but still only a very remote prospect of employment). Today?? Double the cost??! However, many small bush operators are hiring CP's with about 250 hours or even less.
Nevertheless, again, good luck to all the young people today with the sky as limit in their vision & dreams...
The Fa/18 C The most beautiful plane
Being too dependent on only one aircraft type makes sense for parts and training, but if the model has problems, there is no backup...
Then it's a good thing it's been a dependable plane, well-sorted for the last 3 decades, and basically has no problems. 🙃
Come on Canada, let's get a modern military that we can be proud of.
The CF-18 is a generation of jet that *really* worries Russian and Chinese forces. The next generation of fighter (F-35, etc.) is icing on the cake. An F-35s cost to buy, and operating costs, ensure that it can't be the workhorse that an F-16 or CF-18 is.
It essentially uses the same missiles as the newer jets; it's just the frame that's old. Moreover, its turn rate is better than that of the Super ,The jet exceeded Canada's expectations and has no issues continuing to operate for another 20 years. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's better. as a Canadian i am proud of r military
@@brucecaron2776 I'm proud of the men and women in the military, but I'm not proud of the funding and equipment they are given.
Stay Safe in that 1980's Tech. Could have a few "bits" falling off.
Most of NATO is flying 1980s and '90s tech. Except where the USAF is flying B-52s designed in the late '40s and built in the '50s. The mechanics probably know what they're doing, and when to retire a fatigued airframe.
Flying a museum piece,thanks Trudy.
An upgraded F-18 is hardly a museum piece lol. It might not be the latest and greatest but it’s still a pretty modern and capable jet.
We will need to upgrade these birds for patrolling the Artic, f 35s are good for some things but single engines over all that empty space doesn't sit we with me, ideally we should buy the new F 15 Stike Eagle too for patrolling and interceptions of Russia aircraft, don't need many but I'd say around 40 should be enough and have F18s still on standby. That's how I want my tax dollars to work.
I agree about the F-15X. Then all the RCAF needs, is pilots.
The Arctic issue that everyone talks about is an overly hyped problem; it's basically a non-issue.
F-18A? Ouch.
Wow i am shocked you guy have F-18A and not F-18C?
Maybe the A and C don't mean the same thing when it's a Canadian-built plane. 🤷♂
Or maybe it doesn't matter, considering how many upgrades they've had since they were built.
409 Nighthawks
You weren't even born when I was working the flight line on CF-104s in 1964.
Canada - Flying yesterdays jets tomorrow
Oooh a zinger. Well done. I bet you were waiting to unleash that one.
@@markanderson3870 lol - you're hurt by UA-cam comments.
@@GMoneyMacFresh Nah, I just like making fun of lame jokes. CF-18s are well regarded by other militaries, just not gripers from Canada.
There’s plenty of older airframes in frontline service with other air forces.
Well maintained and constantly upgraded, with well trained pilots, the CF-18 is still a potent weapon system.
🇨🇦🫡
I have much respect for the people who serve our nation. However i have no respect for the gov’t that keeps the old aircraft in service. The cf18 that canada flies is one of the oldest generation of the F18 planes.
its got new tech in it ,, it fires same missiles as the f35 f22
Grateful for those who put their lives 8n danger for us all. The whiners and armchair generals are NOT worth the dirt under their feet.
Old machines, the pilots can be half the age of their vehicle. Nice to see , but time to retire. Like me, lol...
Taylor John Allen Matthew Thompson Brian
Yet Never in a million years can The Canadian DoND make a similar recruitment ad. It's like they don't even want an air force.
As a Canadian I have to admit when it comes to war and army Canada wouldn’t last 1 day In a real war .
The Canadian Air Force could probably walk all over their Iranian counterparts. We have evidence that they can fly *3* Tomcats... We have no evidence that they're trained any better than the Russian bozos who are 2 years into their "3-day operation".
Leon ,
Have you served ? Or do you just get your takes from UA-cam videos..Myself and my whole family served and I have lost many friends .. Show some respect for your country and the people that have not made it ..Our army was neglected for a very long time thanks to the government..I guess when the time comes back seat drivers like you better hope that we can protect this country .
you got no clue ,Canada has been involved in wars for a long time. you just like the Russian propaganda and promote it
Oh really? What branch of the military did you serve in?
The CF 18 should been retired 10 years ago but thanks to Trudeau, these relics are still flying risking the lives of Canadian pilots.
Wad Trudeau in power 10 years ago? No it was Harper. And aircraft/airframe can last a long time and be safe. It's the electronics/avionics that go out of date.
We found a clown 🤡
@@CurtHegel Technically, yes - but the Liberals were the ones who derailed the F-35 buy, and when Justin got into power he famously said we'd 'never' buy the F-35. He delayed things by asking for a competition, and came to the unavoidable conclusion that the F-35 was the best option. That was something the RCAF had figured out years prior. Politicians messing with military procurement to get votes is NOT okay.
the uneducated always spew political horse pucks sad
I'd rather fly a jet with two engines than just one
I wonder how G limited that derelict air force is. Feel sorry for the pilots, I'm sure they are as capable as any if that pathetic government would do their jobs.
The planes had a 7.5g governor when they were new. I would think it's good news for the long-term state of the plane when the pilots can't over-G it in the first place.
@@danielcamacho1913 I'm sure that helped but they are grandpa's doing a young man's job. And how does Canada get away with having an air force that is smaller than our aggressor fleet? They spend nearly nothing on "collective defense".
Demo CF-18s are a full 9g jet. Same jets USMC is flying, just not off of carriers anymore. Same AESA radar blah blah blah.
It's just me talking and I'm no expert But I really really wish we would have bought the super hornet 15 years ago
The fat-ass "Super Hornet" is overrated. It's a *marginal* improvement over the F-18C. Doesn't have the radar or the range of the F-14 it replaced. The controls are still governed to 7.5g. The best missile it can use is the AIM-120 that the CF-18 already uses.
The main reason to buy the so-called Super Hornet is if you need to replace fatigued air frames, and the original F-18 is out of production.
Remember that the conservatives were not as budget friendly as they should have been for the Canadian Forces and sadly the current government has possibly been even worst for the Forces. Let’s hope the next government is into rebuilding the Canadian Forces but sadly I am not convinced that they will be, in part to to the free spending of our current government.
They're spending a significant amount on our military; .New warships, submarines, fighter jets, missile defense systems, upgraded ground radars, and the construction of new military bases-none of these are built overnight. it takes time
Wtf after a young woman. F.m., r.m
Felecia McKay n Richelle McKay. Rich not.
I'll sign up when we get newer aircraft come on give our boys F-15s atleast
Canada ordered 88 F-35A Block 4 (coming 2026) 16 P-8A Poseidons and Mq-9B Reapers along with hellfire rockets and like 10 tankers and tankers and 4 helis!
F15s would be pointless. What makes the F18 so good is the versatility.
@@rixxy9204 The F-15 is every bit as versatile, and I can't imagine why you'd think otherwise. It has been in continuous production since the 1970s because there's always a customer who wants it.
@@danielcamacho1913 it really isn't.
Pilots with beards and mustaches ...get real !
yeah its 2024 and there's tech to solve those concerns you think you have
1980 era fighter jets are ineffective. Used jets from Australia are an embarrassment. But we have three billion for Ukraine somehow.
So you're arguing that we should buy more F35s and do nothing with them except train, let Russia topple Ukraine so they get stronger, and wait for them to move north over the arctic, rather than directly bringing the fight to an aggressor (Russia) by helping Ukraine fight them off? What exactly is your logic? Do you study history? That's called appeasement, and it almost lost WW2 to Germany because nobody supported Poland etc, and just let Germany expand unchecked thinking 'its not against us, we'll just build up our defense so it doesn't affect us'.
Trudeau gives billions away to any special group he thinks can buy him votes... you really think Ukraine isn't a more important cause than votes for Trudeau? Give me a fn break.
AESA radars are very effective as is weaponry that maybe 5 countries in the world has access to.
Big deal. The CF 18 Has never flown a combat mission in its 30 year history. Canada always plays the peace keeper role, so we don’t even put guns or bombs on these old planes. I’d rather hear about Snoopy’s adventures against the Red Baron.
lol... you know nothing. They have been in combat and I know several of the pilots that flew them into combat. I sense your expertise comes from YT vids and airshows.
absolutely clueless try research before proving your a zero!
Shouldn't you be wearing a helmet?
Woke pilots, sailors and soldiers ain't going to give you anything !
waste of tax money
You are a loser … freedom has a price … you should be thanking these folks for the liberties that you take for granted
Still better then the Su57