BALLPARK GUARDIAN

The aircraft perches atop a 28-foot pedestal designed by architect Ron Kammeyer. NASA loaned the retired Navy attack jet to the city after retiring the plane from chase duties at Dryden Flight Research Center.

A 100-foot crane was used to hoist the 18,000-pound F/A-18 into position. More than $40,000 in labor, materials and cash was donated by area businesses to display the jet.