McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet – Magpie, 75 Sqn, RAAF, Tindal, Australia, 2021

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3561: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet A21-018 Magpie of 75 Sqn, RAAF, Tindal, Australia, 2021

Length 9.25 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

To commemorate the service of the F/A-18A with the RAAF, F/A-18A A21-18 was given what probably is the last paint scheme for this type of aircraft as the RAAF transitions to the F-35A. The 75 Squadron used the magpie as the center of their crest so the bird was placed on the tail section as the center piece. The paint scheme is predominantly black with white diamonds on top of the tail, white on the wing leading edges and around the canopy.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet
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 operate from carriers or land bases and a single switch converts it 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.