Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5101 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E “Super Hornet” 16634, VFA-14 Tophatters “90th Anniversary Scheme” USS Nimitz, 2009

True 1/72 scale.

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.

Optional armament provided.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figure included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem- seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

VFA-14 “Topphatters” call themselves the oldest and boldest and with good reason, they formed in 1919 making them the oldest active USN squadron. The squadron began aircraft-carrier service aboard the USS Langley. The original squadron name was adopted in 1927, the “High-Hatters” which was relevant for the day and supposed to mean the very best, elite. In 1942 the name was changed to “Tophatters”. In 2001 the squadron became VFA-14 instead of VF-14 and are based at NAS Lemoore, California. This scheme represents the 90th Anniversary of the squadron.

McDonnell Douglas original designer, merged with Boeing 1997 F/A-18E Super Hornet Role - Multi-role attack and fighter Crew -1 Performance Powerplants - 2 x F414-GE-400 turbofans Thrust (Static) - 22,000 lbs (9,977kg) per engine Ceiling - 50,000 ft + Speed - Mach 1.8 +

Weight - Maximum Gross Take-off 66,000 lbs (29,932 kg)

Dimensions Length - 60.3 ft (18.5 m) Height - 16 ft (4.87 m) Wingspan - 44.9 ft (13.68 m)

Armament 1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon (internal) Possible External Payload AIM 9 Sidewinder AIM 7 Sparrow AIM-120 AMRAAM Harpoon HARM Shrike SLAM SLAM-ER Walleye Maverick JSOW (Joint-Stand-Off Weapon) JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions An assortment of bombs, mines and rockets