The F/A-18 Hornet is the true multi-role aircraft. It can vault from a carrier deck, bomb a target and stay to dogfight even the best enemy aircraft without missing a beat. It's the Navy's first modern-era jet intended for double duty against air- and ground-based adversaries. Armed to the hilt with Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, an internal cannon, and laser-guided bombs, this modern warbird was an outstanding performer in Operation Desert Storm. Strapped into a digital cockpit described as a cross between Star Wars and a video game, pilots of the F/A-18 Hornet take on the ultimate aviation job: blasting this single-seat, high-performance jet off the deck of a carrier, dropping bombs, and firing air-to-ground ordnance. Offering unmatched agility, the Hornet is the choice aircraft of the US Navy's elite Blue Angels aerobatic team.

The F/A-18C is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18D is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The "missionized" D model's rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles.

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the Martin-Baker NACES (Navy Aircrew Common ejection seat), and a self-protection jammer. A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a RAAF Boeing F/A-18A Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to No.75 Squadron and celebrates 20 years of flying the F/A-18 Hornet in 2005. Now in stock!

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

Release Date: November 2021

Historical Account: "Celebration" - No.75 Squadron saw action for the first time since 1945 as part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Australian Government announced that it would deploy a squadron of F/A-18s to the Middle East on February 1st, 2003, and 14 No.75 Squadron Hornets flew from Tindal to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar via Diego Garcia between February 13th and 16th. Following the outbreak of the Iraq War on March 20th the squadron was initially used to escort high-value Coalition aircraft such as tankers and E-3 Sentry aircraft. As it became clear that the Iraqi Air Force posed no threat, the role of No.75 Squadron shifted to providing close air support to Coalition ground forces and air interdiction against Iraqi forces. These missions were initially flown in support of the US Army but the squadron was later switched to supporting the US Marine Corps. The squadron also supported the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on April 12th when these units captured Al Asad Airbase. No.75 Squadron flew its last combat sortie on April 27th. During the war the squadron flew 350 combat missions and dropped 122 laser-guided bombs. During these operations the squadron was augmented with pilots from No.81 Wing's other F/A-18 squadrons. No.75 Squadron's aircraft returned to Tindal on May 14th, 2003, and its ground crew arrived there the next day. The squadron was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation on November 27th, 2003, for "sustained outstanding service during warlike operations, in the Middle East Area of operations, over Iraq during Operation Falconer".

In August 2005, a group of current and veteran members of No.75 Squadron traveled to Papua New Guinea to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War, and the 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay. As at 2011, No.75 Squadron remained at Tindal and was the RAAF's largest F/A-18-equipped unit. The squadron regularly exercises with units from the RMAF, RNZAF, RSAF and US Military and conducts training using the facilities of the Delamere Air Weapons Range. As of 2014, No.75 Squadron is scheduled to transition to Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters from late 2021.

In March 2015, six F/A-18As from No.75 Squadron deployed to the Middle East during Operation Okra as part of the military intervention against ISIL. The aircraft replaced a detachment of six F/A-18F Super Hornets from No.1 Squadron, and began flying combat operations late that month. The squadron was deployed to the Middle East until September 2015, when it handed over to the next rotation from No.77 Squadron.