The McDonnell-Douglas / Northrop F / A-18 Hornet is a carrier-based combat and attack aircraft capable of operating in all weather conditions. The roots of the F / A-18 go back to 1974 and the prototype of the F-17, which was of interest to the US Navy command that year. The contract for the serial construction of the aircraft was concluded in 1976. In order to speed up the work, Northrop entered into cooperation with McDonnell-Douglas. As a result, on November 18, 1978, the test flight of the prototype took place, and a year later - successful landings on the aircraft carrier. Since 1982, the aircraft has been delivered to linear units with General Electric F404-GE-402 engines as the propulsion unit. The aircraft is produced in several versions. The first were the F-18A (fighter) and F-18B (trainer). Foreign orders from Spain, Canada and Australia appeared quickly. In 1987, a version of the F-18C was created, adapted to the use of AMRAAM missiles. A year later, the two-seater F/A-18D version of the F-18 entered service, adapted for operation in all weather conditions, which could serve as an attack aircraft. On its basis, the reconnaissance version of the R/F-18D was created. The newest versions (the so-called Super Hornet) -F/A-18E and F/A-18F are highly modified versions of the F/A-18D. They are characterized by an increased length of the fuselage, wingspan and their area. They also have new General Electric F414 engines and significantly expanded and modernized avionics. They were first presented in 1995. The EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft was also created on the basis of the F-18. All versions of the F/A-18 met with the favor of pilots, are characterized by a low failure rate, ease of operation and very good flight parameters. Hornets took part in the operation against Libya in 1986 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Technical data (version F/A-18 C): Maximum speed: 1915 km/h, rate of climb: 254 m/s, practical ceiling 15 240 m, maximum range: 3340 km, operational radius: 280-740 km, armament: fixed- single six-barreled 20 mm M61A-1 cannon, underslung - up to 7700 kg load.
This is an injection-plastic jet aircraft model kit.
