McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet ++

USMC VMFA-314 Black Knights, VW01, MCAS Miramar, CA, Juin 2019

Hobby Master 1:72 HA3562

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet  

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built.

On June 5, 2019 a photo shoot took place over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The aircraft involved were F/A-18++ 162442 from the VMFA-314 "Black Knights" and F-35C 169601 that would soon be transferred to VMFA-314. The F-35C was piloted by Captain Tommy Beau Locke from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 "Rough Raiders" while the F/A-18++ 162442 was piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Cedar Hinton, CAG for VMFA-314. This was a symbolic gesture of passing the torch from the old to the new.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

1. Molded metal construction with plastic components.
2. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
3. Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
4. opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
5. Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
6. Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
7. Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.