TOPGUN F/A-18 Super Hornet & Darkstar Evening Experience – 6 PM – requires separate ticket

Building on the worldwide excitement generated by the arrival of Darkstar from Top Gun: Maverick, the Palm Springs Air Museum is proud to announce another landmark addition to its collection: the acquisition of the first Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet ever placed on permanent public display outside a military installation. This Blue Angels Super Hornet will serve as one of the signature attractions of the Palm Springs Air Museum’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, commemorating three decades of preserving America’s aviation heritage while inspiring future generations through history, innovation, and flight.

The plane, an iconic Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet featured in Top Gun: Maverick as one of Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s on-camera aircraft, represents one of the most recognizable military aircraft of the modern era. It also served as a flight test and chase aircraft supporting the development of the F-35 Lightning II program before joining the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Its arrival further strengthens the Museum’s reputation as one of America’s premier aviation museums and one of the few places where visitors can experience Hollywood history alongside authentic military aviation heritage.

To celebrate this extraordinary acquisition, the Palm Springs Air Museum will present five exclusive F/A-18 Super Hornet Evening Visitor Experiences between November 2026 and April 2027. Each 90-minute experience will feature an elite F/A-18 pilot, an up-close look inside the cockpit, behind-the-scenes stories, Darkstar on view, and light refreshments.

April 17, 2027: U.S.N Cmdr. Cassidi “Butch” Reese China Lake VX-31 Chief Test Pilot

*Each event will have its own unique, limited-edition t-shirt for sale during the event!