F/A-18F Super Hornet

Three types of carrier based airplanes were due to be deactivated in the 1990s: the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder and EA-6B Prowler.

Because there was no direct replacement and due to financial considerations, the McDonnell Douglas company offered an improved Hornet - the single-seat F/A-18 E and its two-seat version F.

The Super Hornet started as a development of the original design concept, however it is actually its own airplane with new 30% larger airframe. Apart from its size, the new airplanes can be differentiated by the rectangular engine intakes.

 The enhanced engine brings 35% more thrust and even the avionics equipment is identical to 90% with the old Hornet. Equipped with drop tanks, the Super Hornet can also supply different airplanes in air to air refueling and so relieves the S-3 Viking in their task.

Characteristic of all Hornets are the leading Edge Extensions (LEX). These approximately triangular junctions, which begin underneath the cockpit window and flow into the wings, make the airplane still controllable and better manoeuvrable also with high approach angle.

Hasegawa's Super Hornet Kits

I would argue that Hasegawa leaves the Super Hornets of its competitors Revell and Italeri behind - however it comes at a price! Nevertheless, what Hasegawa has to offer is first cream. Best moulded and on highest level! The box is filled stout and beside reserve tanks even there are two  AIM-120 AMRAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder rockets packed in. For detail Freaks there is still a small „walk around“ for the variants which can be marked attached

Cockpit and Fuselage

Although the standard is very high, I did not want to use the kit’s cockpit because of the sparse and beltless ejection seats. I decided to use the Black box Resin cockpit for the F version, however it is meant for the Italeri model. Nevertheless it can be inserted relatively easily, only on the bottom I had to saw away much material, since I decided for using the F/A-18 wheel housings of Aires also. In my opinion here is the second weak point of the kit: The side panels are not detailed. Fortunately the chassis is almost identical with Hornet and Super Hornet also. However since the set is not for this model I can not further-recommend such experiments. The attaching of the landing gear legs got to a patience sample of which I nearly would have been despaired. For this reason I already stuck it in this early building phase. The detailling and following painting becomes very difficulty! The main gear sliding doors with „Stealth“- points/teeth come out of the box again.

For a accurate detail painting of the Sea Grey cockpit and the Black Box  ejection seats oneself should take time. The interior framework of the pulpit is as standard equipment rather simple and needs already some wire and Styrene. Various catch heels, video cameras, rear view mirror, hand grips and all kinds of things demand nerves and time, however which is well put on, since by the generous dome everything is to be seen good.