The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm M61 rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. Additional fuel can be carried in up to five external fuel tanks and the aircraft can be configured as an airborne tanker by adding an external air refueling system.

Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997, after the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing the previous month. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was retired in 2006; the Super Hornet serves alongside the original Hornet. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has operated the F/A-18A as its main fighter since 1984, ordered the F/A-18F in 2007 to replace its aging F-111C fleet. RAAF Super Hornets entered service in December 2010.

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to VFA-94 "Mighty Shrikes", then embarked upon the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during 2021. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: December 2023

Historical Account: "Mighty Shrikes" - In January 2012, after returning from UDP duties in Japan, the squadron returned to NAS Lemoore, but apparently was not assigned to one of the West Coast air wings until around August 2012, as it temporarily took sister squadron VFA-25's place within CVW-17. VFA-25 was returned to its former slot within CVW-17, thus replacing VFA-94.

On September 12th, 2014, two F/A-18Cs, one from VFA-94 and the other from VFA-113 collided and crashed approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) west of Wake Island. One aviator was recovered in fair condition and received medical treatment aboard the Carl Vinson. Search-and-rescue (SAR) operations continued for the other aviator. The Carl Vinson was participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at the time of the mid-air collision. The search was called off on September 14th, 2014, and the missing aviator was declared missing and presumed dead, with the crash incident under investigation.

The Mighty Shrikes began its transition from the F/A-18C Hornet to the F/A-18F Super Hornet in September 2015, completing the transition in March 2016.