McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet – #188759, 425 Sqn, RCAF, Libya, No Fly Zone 2011

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3559: McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet #188759 of 425 Sqn, RCAF, Libya, No Fly Zone 2011. Production run of 750 models.

Length 9.25 inches  Wingspan 6.25 inches

On March 12, 2011 the Arab League asked the U.N. Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. Canada along with the U.S., the U.K. and France sent men and machines to carry out the no-fly zone. Between late March 2011 and November Canada sent six CF-18s along with other aircraft and support as its contribution. One of the CF-18s was 188759 c/n 405/A337 from 425 Squadron and on June 25-26 2016 it made an appearance at the Quinte International Air Show held at Trenton Ontario.

Designed as a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-7 Corsair II and as a complement to the F-14 Tomcat, the F/A-18 first flew on November 18, 1978. Perhaps best known as the aircraft of the US Navy’s Blue Angels, this carrier-capable, supersonic, all-weather fighter has many roles, including fighter escort, fleet air defense and close air support. The F/A-18 is a versatile aircraft: it can switch easily from from fighter to strike mode. During Operation Desert Storm, the F/A-18 proved that, on a single mission, one aircraft could serve as both fighter and a bomber. 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.