Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-18E/F>HA5103
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F "Super Hornet" A44-212, 1st Sqn., RAAF, Operation Okra
General Background
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.
The Aircraft
RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets are based at RAAF Base Amberley and assigned to 1 and 6
Squadrons. The RAAF acquired 24 F/A-18F aircraft while waiting for the F-35A Lightning II to
become available. The RAAF Super Hornet maiden flight was on July 21, 2009 with the first five
aircraft arriving in Australia on March 26, 2010.These aircraft were considered operational ready
in December 2012. Operation Okra was Australia’s contribution to the air war against ISIS/ISIL.
F/A-18F A44-212 BuNo. 167968 was delivered to 1 Squadron on July 6, 2010.
Specifications :
| Role: | Multi-role attack and fighter |
| Crew: | F/A-18E x 1 / F/A-18F x 2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 60.3 ft (18.5 m) |
| Height: | 16 ft (4.87 m) |
| Wingspan: | 44.9 ft (13.68 m) |
| Weight: | Maximum Gross Take-off 66,000 lbs (29,932 kg) |
| Performance | |
| Power Plant: | 2 x F414-GE-400 turbofans |
| Thrust (Static): | 22,000 lbs (9,977kg) per engine |
| Ceiling : | 50,000 ft + |
| Speed: | Mach 1.8 + |
| Armament: | 1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon (internal) |
| Possible External Payload: | 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 rocket |