This is the first prototype Hornet, YF-18A-1 from fiscal year 1976. The Hornet made its first flight from McDD St. Louis on 18 Nov'78 and delivered to the US Navy at Paxtuxent River (MD) in Jan'79. The Full-Scale Development Hornet was later converted to RF-18, served the NASA from 3 Jun'85 and returned to the US Navy. The F/A-18A was stricken from service in 1986. It became a range target (!) at China Lake in Apr'90, but was luckily saved from a lot of bullet holes. It was then stored at the base from Nov'92. It is preserved with the US Naval Museum of Armament and Technology since Nov'93