The first F/A-18As entered service over 22 years ago. When compared
to something like a B-52, that seems young, but carrier based aircraft
really take a beating. They're not expected to last nearly as long as
their land-based counterparts.

That was really driven home to me at OSH '04 (or was it '03?) when the Navy
showed up at Aeroshell Square displaying three of the most beat up,
sorry-looking aircraft in the inventory.

The F/A-18 looked like it had been ridden hard, and put away wet, a whole
bunch of times. Nothing like continuously pounding on a steel deck while
immersed in a constant salt-water bath to really ruin a nice airplane.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"