Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-18>HA3575
CF-188B Hornet 188902, 425 Sqn., CAF, 2004
General Background
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 Aircraft
The Canadian Air Force 425th Squadron is Canada’s French speaking squadron based in Bagotville, Quebec. Originally formed in June 1942 flying Wellington bombers but since 1985 they are equipped with CF-18 Hornets. The first CF-18 completed its maiden flight on July 29, 1982 with the single seat CF-18As assigned 188701 through 188798 while the dual CF-18Bs were assigned 188901 through 188940. The first 2 aircraft (188901 and 188902) were delivered to the No. 410 “Cougars” (OTU) Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on October 25.
Specifications :
| 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) |
| Folded: | 27 ft 6 in (8.38 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 |