Hobby Master: 1/72 HA3514 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C “Blue Angels 2010” Model
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 Blue Angels have flown 9 different types of aircraft since their
inception in June 1946.
Beginning in November 1986 their aircraft of choice has been the McDonnell
Douglas (Boeing) F-
18A/D Hornet but they have since re-equipped with the “C” variant as the
main aircraft. These
aircraft are former fleet aircraft that are at the end of their carrier arrestor
capability and have
been modified to perform and survive the rigors of aerial demonstration flight.
The pilots don’t
wear G-suits because the constant inflation and deflation of the suit interferes
with the pilot’s
control of the stick.
Features
- 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
- Aircraft doesn't have a tampoed number, pilot's name or serial. Instead it comes with decals #1 – #7 so you can choose.