The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases.
The Swiss Air Force Air14 Air Show was held at Payerne AB and meant to celebrate 100 years of Swiss aviation, 50 years of the Patrouille Suisse and 25 years for the PC-7 Team. There were going to be so many participants and events that it was decided to hold it on the last weekend of August 2014 and the first weekend of September. F/A-18C Hornet J-5014 serial 1359/SFC014, 11th Flying Squadron, 13th Wing was given a special paint scheme corresponding to Swiss WWII aircraft. It was Europe’s largest show that year.