NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Approximately 25% larger than the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet model A, the models E and F Super Hornets have replaced Tomcat jet fighters and are slated to replace all the model A jet fighters by 2010.
Many judge the F/A-18 Super Hornet to be an essentially new aircraft. The E and F models have about four feet more overall length and 1/4 additional wing area than previous models. The new aircraft
have about 1/3 more fuel capacity with overall weight up by
approximately 25%. Mission range is estimated as 40% longer, with one
and a half times more combat endurance. Two more hard points have been
added to the aircraft. There is about 15% more carrier recovery
payload, while total engine thrust has increased by about 22%.
The development history of the F/A-18 Hornet traces back to May
2, 1975. That is when the U.S. Navy announced the go ahead for the
Northrop and McDonnell Douglas collaboration on a new aircraft.
On November 18, 1978, the prototype flew for the first time. In March of 1980, the last of eleven F/A-18 Hornet prototype aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Navy. In May of 1980, delivery of initial production aircraft began.
On January 7, 1983 the first Hornet squadron, US Marines VMFA-314 "Black Knights", became operational. In 1986 the US Navy Blue Angels team began using the aircraft.
Through 1987, a total of 371 Hornets model A and a total of 40 model B aircraft were completed when production switched to models C and D. On September 3, 1986 the model C had its first flight.
In 1990 the U. S. Navy began the development of the new Super Hornet as a replacement for aging aircraft. On November 29, 1995 the first prototype of the new aircraft took to the sky.
In 1997 the manufacture of production models started. On February 15, 2000, the U.S. Navy declared the new aircraft as ready for deployment. On July 24, 2002 the new aircraft became operational with the U.S. Navy.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet is currently in competition with four other fighters for a 126 aircraft order from the Indian Air Force. India expects to reach a decision by mid 2010.
In other news, the first of 24 F/A-18 Super Hornets, destined for use by Australia, completed assembly on July 10, 2009. It is the two seat model F.
In December 2009 the Navy announced that the newest version of the Hornet, the EA-18G Growler is scheduled for deployment in 2010. The aircraft is the replacement for the EA-6B Prowler. A total
of 57 of the aircraft have been ordered.
A total of 1,892 Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft of all types have been manufactured to date.
$57 million
$59 million
attack
one
two
2 - 22,000 lbs. ea.
17,498 lbs.
11,885 lbs.
80,207 lbs.
1 - 20 mm
17,750 lbs.
60' 0"
44' 8"
575 mph
1,190 mph
50,000 fpm
50,000 feet
1,468 miles
2 hrs. 15 min.
2001 (E)
2003
Radio Control Airplane
The rc F/A-18 Hornet from Exceed RC.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above is the RC F/A-18 Hornet from Exceed RC. The model is sold as RTF in various color schemes. Wingspan is 31" and length is 46". Power comes from a 70 mm DF and brushless motor. Weight is about 30 oz.
In the picture right below is the scale F/A-18 Hornet airplane for sale from Nitro Planes. It comes with a brushless motor turning a electric ducted fan. Wingspan is 27", length is 40 1/2" and weight is about 24 oz.
Hangar Hobbies has a F/A-18 Hornet RTF foamy for sale. It has a 27" wingspan, a 38 1/2" length, and includes a motor and 64 mm fan unit.
Yellow Aircraft has two rc F/A-18 Hornet kits for sale. Their twin engine kit, pictured second below, has a wing span of 72" and a
length of 98". Their are several choices for power of the F/A-18 Hornet rc jets. These include 2 x .82 ducted fans with 2 x 5 1/4" tractor type fan units or 2 x 18 lb. thrust ea. turbines.
The Yellow Aircraft single engine rc F/A-18 Hornet from their kit is 67.5" long with a 47" wing span. Recommended power for the RC Airplane can be a .82 and up ducted fan engine with any 5 1/4" tractor type fan unit or a 8 - 17 lb. thrust turbine.
Jensen Jet Models has a RC F/A-18 Hornet kit for sale with a 68" wing span and 96" length. The RC Airplane can be powered by 2 x .91 O.S. ducted fans.
Parkjets has four plan sets for F/A-18 Hornet rc airplanes from 24" to 42" wing spans. These are of foam construction and can be powered by pusher props or EDFs.
Don Blackmon of Chino, CA writes: "I built the 24" wingspan rc F/A-18
Hornet from Parkjet plans and really like it. My Hornet is powered by
a 11.1V battery and Himax 2015-4100 motor geared 4:1 turning a 9 x 6
prop. I like this motor set-up because it provides smooth, instant
power throughout the rpm range.
Flying the little rc is easy with all the available power.
However, you must stay alert to keep it flying straight on windy days,
although it is the smoothest, most stable small rc airplane I have ever
flown. It really shines at high speeds. Climb out
with the power combination is amazing. Giant loops and axial rolls
come very easy.
Although I have the aileron controls set so as not to be twitchy, rolls
are very realistic and crisp, although a bit slow. The Hornet performs all maneuvers without even a wobble or tendency to drift off
course. Throttling back and flying into a stall produced a very
predictable straight ahead fall off with quick recovery. Landings
couldn't be easier. The rc F/A-18 Hornet slows quickly once the power
is reduced. As it is near touch down it can be easily flared to
produce a soft landing."
Bob Parkinson has a F/A-18 Hornet rc airplane kit of mostly wood construction with a 51" wing span. Engine power is by ducted fan or pusher prop.
Art-Tech has a RTF F/A-18 Hornet EDF. Its wingspan is 27" and length is 41". Included is a 4300 KV motor and fan. Weight is about 1 1/2 lbs.
Pictured next below is the Skymaster Jet ARF F/A-18 Hornet RC
built by Steve Scott. Thrust for the 67" wing span, 90" length rc airplane
can be provided with a single 25 to 35 lb. thrust turbine.
Ron Krolikowski wrote to tell us that we should include the Hobby-Lobby rc F/A-18 Hornet on this page. It comes in ARF and RTF versions. Wingspan is 28", length is 37" and all up weight
is abut 1 lb. 4 oz. Ron tells us his rc F/A-18 Hornet is steady and easy to fly with straight ahead stalls. The rc F/A-18 Hornet easily recovers from stalls with just a touch of throttle. It flies at scale-like speeds with a quick roll rate.
Landings are easy. Ron especially likes to do nose-high carrier type landings where the rc F/A-18 Hornet slows quickly, but maintains attitude with a little throttle on. The Hobby-Lobby rc F/A-18 Hornet is pictured fourth below.
Juno R/C has a balsa plywood kit of the rc F/A-18 Hornet for sale. It has a wingspan of 53" with a length of 59". For power your will need from a .60 to .90 two stroke engine in the nose. Weight is about 8 1/2 lbs.
HC-Hobby has a rc F/A-18 Hornet RTF for sale. The ready to fly model has a 27" wingspan, a 40" length and weighs about 28 oz. Included is a motor and EDF unit.
HET-RC has a rc F/A-18 Hornet ARF in a Blue Angels color scheme. Its wingspan is 39 1/2" and length is 56 1/2". The fuselage is made from fiberglass and wings are balsa over foam. Suggested power comes from a pair of Typhoon motors turning 480 fan units.
HET-RC has a gray color rc F/A-18 Hornet ARF. This smaller model has a wingspan of 27 1/2", a length of 37 1/2" and a weight of about 40 oz. It is made from balsa and plywood with balsa over foam wings. It needs a single Typhoon motor with a 480 EDF unit.
BlitzRCWorks has a 40" wingspan F/A-18 Hornet in a number of color schemes, and as a ARF or RTF. Its length is 60". Included is a brushless motor turning a 90 mm fan and retracts. Weight is about 4 1/2 lbs.
The bottom picture on this page is of a rc F/A-18 Hornet built from free plans found at RC Tomhe.net. It is made from depron and has a propeller driven by a Speed 400 size motor in the middle of the fuselage for power. Wingspan is 29" and length is 40".
If you are looking for motors, engines, EDF units, retracts, and other spares for your F/A-18 or other radio control airplane, check the large retailers such as Hobby-Lobby, New Creations, and Great Planes.
Please tell us about your favorite rc F/A-18 Hornet.
FA18
Nitro Planes rc F/A-18 Hornet.
The rc F/A-18 Hornet from Yellow Aircraft.
