PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The iconic Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet featured in Top Gun: Maverick as one of Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s on-camera aircraft formally retired on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Please view the retirement ceremony (final salute to an incredible aircraft) with water spray: https://youtu.be/FogygyfJrsk?si=JGB2hN8dAlmS4R-n

This aircraft is now on permanent display at the Palm Springs Air Museum during regular museum hours. For a deeper interaction with this aircraft, visitors can buy tickets for four exclusive TOPGUN F/A-18 Super Hornet Visitor Experience Evenings between November 2026 and April 2027. Each 90-minute experience starts at 6 PM and features a distinguished F/A-18 pilot who will share behind-the-scenes stories, plus an up-close look inside the cockpit, light refreshments, Darkstar in the hangar, and branded merchandise for sale. Tickets are $65 per person ($50 for PS Air Museum members). Kids 12 & under free with one adult ticket. Evening tickets include admission to the museum that same day. 

The next exclusive evening is on Saturday, November 28, 2026 with Commander Frank “Walleye” Weisser, USN (Ret) who flew F/A-18 fighter jets for the spectacular aerial sequences in TOP GUN: MAVERICK, including the iconic scene where the guard house roof pops off and then back down. Weisser is a 21-year Navy veteran, with over 5,000 flight hours, nearly 500 aircraft carrier landings, and three combat deployments. He then served two tours with the Blue Angels, including Lead Solo Pilot.

Please visit BLUE ANGEL F/A-18 SUPER HORNET – Palm Springs Air Museum for more information.

About the Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palm Springs Air Museum is home to more than 75 historic aircraft representing World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and modern military aviation. The Museum encompasses more than 91,000 square feet of exhibit space and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $24 to $26. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Active-duty military personnel and their immediate families receive free admission with valid ID. For more information visit PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org or call 760-778-6262.

Contact: Ann Greer, (323) 363-8243; ann@palmspringsairmuseum.org 

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SOURCE Palm Springs Air Museum