USN F/A-18F ‘VFA-103 Jolly Rogers’ (Snap Kit) 1/72 Academy

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced variant of the F/A-18C/D Hornet. An early version was marketed by McDonnell Douglas as Hornet 2000 in the 1980s. The Hornet 2000 concept was an advanced version of the F/A-18 with a larger wing, longer fuselage to carry more fuel and more powerful engines. The F/A-18E/F fuselage was stretched by 860 mm to make room for fuel and future avionics upgrades and increased the wing area by 25%. However, the Super Hornet has 42% fewer structural parts than the original Hornet design. The General Electric F414 engine, developed from the Hornet’s F404, has 35% more power. The Super Hornet can return to an aircraft carrier with a larger load of unspent fuel and munitions than the original Hornet. The term for this ability is known as “bringback”. Bringback for the Super Hornet is in excess of 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg). The Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat.

Please see the paint guide below for the manufacturer’s suggested colors.

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Product Details:

Scale: 1/72
Skill Level: 2
Parts: 75+
– Assembly required
– 7 sprues
– Molded in black, white and grey plastic
– One decal sheet
– One sticker sheet
– Clear parts
– External stores include fuel tank, AIM-9X, AIM-120C, GBU-38 and targeting pod
– Multi-colored parts – no painting needed though an optional paint guide is provided
– Parts snap together – assembles without glue
– Accurately detailed panel lines and rivets
– Choice of waterslide decals or adhesive stickers for markings
– Detailed cockpit interior and landing gear
– Includes decals and paint guides for the following versions:

1. F/A-18F VFA-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ AG200, July 2015, NAS Fallon
2. F/A-18F VFA-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ AG201, 2014, NAS Oceana

– Illustrated instructions and paint guide
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Paint Guide:

Flat Black
Black
White
Red
Radome Tan
Dark Gull Grey
Silver
Dark Ghost Grey
Light Ghost Grey
Steel
Olive Drab
Khaki
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