The Limited Edition Fine Art Print BATTLE READY By David Lee Sample Print Size 19.25X23.5  Image Size 14.75X19.5 The Print...         The F-18 Hornet, the Navy's newest and most agile fighter is capable of speeds over 1000 miles per hour.  Here a Hornet gets ready to launch for an evening strike during Operation DESERT STORM. Pilots routinely commented on how nice the sunsets were in the gulf.  This pastoral scenery rapidly changed after launch when they had to fly over Iraq and through all the smoke of the oil fires.  This print captures the the brief period immediately prior to launch as one of America's heroic Naval Aviators readies to experience the rush of the catapult as he will accelerate from a dead stop to more than 150 miles per hour in less than two seconds. This will be followed by entry into enemy territory and pursuit of yet another dangerous strike mission. The Aircraft...          The Hornet is a carrier-based single-seater that serves two roles, representing the trend toward multi-use aircraft, that are both fighters and attack airplanes. The Hornet joined the service in 1983. It was designed to replace the Navy's F-4 and A-7 aircraft. It is now the standard fighter in the Navy and Marine Corps and is also flown by the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration team. F/A-18's are also used by the Canadian forces in the Gulf. As the F-18 day fighter, it carries a 20-mm gun, as well as Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Then, when fitted with A-18 attack equipment, it can carry bombs or rockets, and be a competitive air-to-air or air-to-ground fighter. It therefore has the ability to both shoot enemy planes, and bomb targets on the ground. Its special "Laser Designator" also allows it to accurately direct "smart bombs." The first Hornet flew on November 18, 1978. It then entered the Navy and Marine Corp service in 1980. On their first combat mission in Desert Storm, two Hornets carrying four 2,000-pound bombs each shot down two MiG-21s without interrupting their bombing runs. Joining the A-6 in an attack role from carriers, the F-18 was used extensively in attacks on Iraqi positions. Marine Corps pilots also used the F-18 for close air support missions as they moved up through Kuwait. The F-18 was the first plane downed in the war, but overall losses were considerably low throughout the conflict. SIZE OF EDITION: 500   Artist signed and consecutively numbered         This limited edition lithographic print has been personally approved and signed by the artist.  It is printed on the finest quality lithographic print paper; acid free, neutral pH, 130lb. stock.  All printing plates and negatives used in the process of printing the edition have been destroyed and this image has never been, or ever will be, reproduced in any other art print form. Pricing Battle Ready SKU # Price Limited Edition Print BRD-1 $100         Information Request Form Please fill in the information below to let us know how to contact you regarding the artwork of David Lee Sample. Name Title Company Address E-mail Phone