Hobby Master Archive

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.

The USN Blue Angels #7 F/A-18B aircraft is a two-seat version that is flown to show sites by the show narrator. This aircraft has many duties at a show; it is used as a backup should one of the show aircraft go mechanical and to give rides to civilian VIP. Normally there are three demo rides per show, one to the press and two to from the Key Influencer (KI) program. The KI program selects individuals who shape attitudes and opinions of youth in their communities. Often during Friday practices the #7 aircraft is used in the #4 slot. Prior to joining the Blue Angels in 2008 F/A- 18B 161723 c/n 0073/B022 spent the early 1980s with Strike Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at NAS Lemoore, CA. It also spent time with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) at NAS Patuxent River, MD and 161723 was one of three chase aircraft for the first flight of the F-35 In December 2006. 2011 was the centennial of US Naval powered flight.

Specifications for the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B Role - Fighter/Attack Manufactured - 1980 to 1987 Numbers Produced A - 371 B - 40 Crew A - 1 B - 2 Dimensions Length - 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m) Wingspan - 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m) Height - 15 ft 4 in (4.66 m)

Weight Empty - 28,000 lbs (12,700 kg) Gross - 38,000 lbs (17,240 kg) Maximum Take-off - 56,000 lb (25,400 kg)

Performance Engines - 2 X GE F404-GE turbofans producing 10,600 lb.s.t. dry & 15,800 lb.s.t with afterburning per engine Fuel Internal - 1,670 U.S. gal (6,322 l) External - As many as 3 X 330 U.S. gal (1,249 l) drop tanks Maximum Fuel - 2,660 U.S. gal (10,070 l) Maximum Speed - Mach 1.8 1,190 mph (1,915 km/h) @ 35,000 ft (10,670 m) Landing Speed - 150 mph (241.4 km/h) Combat Ceiling - 50,000 ft (15,240 m) Maximum Range - 2,875 miles (4,627 km) ARMAMENT 1 X 20 mm M61A1 cannon in nose PLUS Hard Points 4 X under-wing 2 X fuselage corner stations 1 X center-line 2 X wing-tip To carry AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles Or AIM-7 Sparrow Missiles Plus Up to 3 external fuel tanks and other assorted ordnance

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3520 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Blue Angels #7, US Navy, 2011

Professionally painted Great attention to detail All markings are Tampoed (pad applied) Option to display the model on a stand that is provided Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions Canopy can be displayed open or closed Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic Highly collectable