10.09.2009 ~ The little touches
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The CF-18 Hornet (a Canadian derivative of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18) is a multi-role fighter capable of attacking targets in the air and on the ground (or interdiction, close air support, air defense, interception & reconnaissance for the more technically minded).
In service with the Canadian Forces since 1982, the aircraft initially helped fill Canada's role in NORAD & NATO. They also participated in operation Desert Storm and the NATO peacekeeping actions during the 1998 Kosovo conflict.
And that little touch is ... ?
Take a close look at the picture below...
The left most fighter demonstrates the CF-18 from above, please take note of the cockpit. Now briefly imagine you're a fighter pilot from some random aggressor state hell bent on punishing Canada for freedom, or corn, or whatever. You're engaged in an intense, close-in, confused, high-g melee with the Canadian jet. In the bucking and banking you line up for a gun shot... but is that Hornet pulling into you or is it maneuvering away ...
The right most fighter in the picture above is a CF-18 inverted. The same aircraft, just seen from below. The dark patch towards the front of the aircraft is mere paint, shaped as a 2D "dummy" canopy. In the stressed scenario illustrated above, it's easy to imagine the confusion a dogfighting opponent might feel as to the orientation of his Canadian foe by this simple little touch.
The "dummy" canopy technique has since been adopted by the F/A-18s of the US Marine Corps and the Spanish air force.
Semi Related:
Those of you who enjoy factual documentaries about combat aircraft and the non-scripted humiliating torture that is every 'big-brother' style reality tv-show, will no doubt enjoy Jetstream - a Discovery channel show that manages to take the worst from both genres as it chronicles the lives of young pilots attempting to make the cut as CF-18 jocks.