Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced variant of the F/A-18C/D Hornet.
An early version was marketed by McDonnell Douglas in the 1980s as the Hornet 2000.
It was a more advanced version of the F/A-18 with larger wings, a longer fuselage for more fuel, and more powerful engines.
The F/A-18E/F fuselage was lengthened by 860 mm to accommodate fuel and future avionics upgrades, and the wing area was increased by 25%.
However, the Super Hornet has 42% fewer structural parts than the original Hornet design.
The General Electric F414 engine, a development of the Hornet's F404, has 35% more power.
The Super Hornet can return to an aircraft carrier with a larger load of unused fuel and munitions than the original Hornet.
This capability is called "bringback."
The Super Hornet's return weight is over 4,100 kg.
The Super Hornet's maiden flight took place in 1995.
Series production began in September 1997.
The Super Hornet entered service with the US Navy in 1999 and has replaced the F-14 Tomcat since 2006.

Plastic model kit

• Photo-etched, vinyl, and clear parts included

Scale 1:32

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included