MDFSD007 The Boeing FA-18 Super Hornet

THE BOEING F/A-18E/F
SUPER HORNET and EA-18G Growler

By Andy Evans
M DF
7
SCALED DOWN
Contents
The Boeing F/A-18E &
F/A-18F Super Hornet
2 Introduction and
Acknowledgements
4 Chapter I
Development – Building on Success
14
Chapter II
F/A-18E & F/A-18F Super Hornet –
Fleet Defender and Strike Fighter
30 Chapter III
The EA-18G Growler – Beam Riders
40 Chapter IV
Advanced Super Hornet – Future Fighter
42 Chapter V
Australian Exports – RAAF Super Hornets
45 Colour Side Views

Modelling the Super Hornet
49 F/A-18E - Splintered and Digitised Kestrel F/A-18F – Super Detailed Super Bug
EA-18G – Bug Zapper EA-18G – Shadowhawks Growler F/A-18E – Felix
the Super Bug! F/A-18F – Bounty Hunter F/A-18F – Black Aces
70 Appendix I
Walk Arounds and Weaponry
87 Appendix II
Kitography
90 Appendix III
Technical Diagrams
98 Appendix IV
Super Hornet Squadrons
Contents 1
Foreword
B
uilt on the success of the F/A-18C and D ‘Legacy Hornet’, role and also works in conjunction with the ‘Legacy’ Hornets in
the F/A-18E singe-seat and the F/A-18F two-seat Super the strike role. The forward fuselage remains unchanged from the
Hornet, and the unique EA-18G Growler give the US Navy earlier aircraft, but the remainder of the Super Hornet shares little
an unparalleled seaborne strike and electronic warfare capability. with the F/A-18C and D models. In July 2002, the F/A-18E/F began
The newer Super Hornet is about twenty-five percent larger than its its maiden operational deployment on board USS Abraham Lincoln,
predecessor, but contains forty-two percent fewer structural parts, and in November 2002, the aircraft made its combat entry, striking
and can fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, has more powerful air defence sites in Southern Iraq with Joint Direct Attack Munitions
engines and provides greater survivability, and the brand new (JDAMs). The aircraft was also deployed as part of Operation
electronic warfare variant, the EA-18G adds tactical jamming to the ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in March 2003, and has since been used in action
aircrafts already impressive abilities. Entering service in 1999, the over Afghanistan, Libya and Syria and continues in operational
Super Hornet replaced the mighty F-14 Tomcat in the fleet defence deployments around the globe.
Acknowledgements
T
hanks are due to the following for their help in preparation of
this title: US Navy Media Centre, Royal Australian Air Force
Public Affairs, Jose Ramos, Florent Welter, Sunhwie Hwang,
Paul Bradley, Troy Prince, Luc Colin, Danumurthi Mahendra, Dan
Tekker, Tom Sunley, Mario Serelle, Andy Renshaw, Angel Exposito,
Andy Renshaw and Mark Smith
2 Introduction
Xxx
CREDIT: Xxx
Acknowledgements
T
Xxx
Introduction 3
Chapter 1
Development
Building on Success
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
O
An F/A-18F from n January 13, 1975, the General Dynamics YF-16 was selected Combat Fighter (NACF), and directed that the Navy take a close look
the NSAWC ‘Strike as the winner of the ACF contest against the Northrop YF-17 at the USAF’s LWF/ACF contenders as possible candidates for their
Test’ facility
Cobra. The reasons given for this decision was the fact NACF requirement. Northrop soon realised that they had a potential
that the YF-16 was a little faster than the YF-17, and that its F100 candidate for the NACF in the YF-17, since the Navy tended to prefer
engine was in use in other aircraft that were already in service. The the added safety offered by a twin-engine format and the design
F-16 went on to become highly successful with production still seemed to have greater potential for growth into a radar-equipped
continuing. It appeared then that the YF-17 would be consigned to multi-role aircraft. However, the Northrop Company had no
history; however, the US Navy was in need of a new fighter as a low- experience with carrier-based aircraft, so they accepted an offer from
cost alternative to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, and had instituted a McDonnell Douglas to collaborate on a naval adaptation of the YF-17
program known as VFAX. The VFAX was envisaged as a multi-role for the NACF contest. Under the terms of the agreement McDonnell
aircraft that would replace the F-4 Phantom, the A-4 Skyhawk, and Douglas would market the aircraft to the Navy, and Northrop would
the A-7 Corsair II in Navy and Marine Corps service. To meet the be the prime sub-contractor, and Northrop was given the rights to
VFAX requirement, a stripped version of the Tomcat - named the market a land-based version of the YF-17 design to various foreign
F-14X had been proposed by Grumman, however, the US House air forces.
Armed Services Committee dictated that the VFAX would have to be The Navy liked the twin-engined format of the Northrop/
a wholly new aircraft. Conversely, Congress decided that the budget McDonnell Douglas submission, which they felt would be better
simply could not afford another major aircraft development project,
so the VFAX project was cancelled. However, Congress
took money intended for VFAX and diverted it to
a new program known as the Navy Air
The F/A-18
‘legacy’ Hornet
during missile
firing trials
4 Chapter 1
The F/A-18C has
matured into
one of the most
successful US
Navy and Marine
Corps aircraft
Development – Building on Success 5

A pair of Super
Hornets from
VX-31 ‘Dust
Devils’ Air Test
and Evaluation
Squadron
undertaking
refuelling trails
The YF-17 was

developed into the
highly successful
F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18F ‘F1’ aircraft
6 Chapter 1
The Northrop
YF-17 in flight
suited to operations at sea. In addition, the Navy felt that the YF-17 this commonality was made possible primarily by careful redesign
development possessed greater potentiality for multi-mission of the two stores pylons located on the lower corners of the air
capability. According to the original plan, the new aircraft was intakes. In the fighter role, these pylons would carry AIM-7 Sparrow
intended to be procured in three closely related models - a single- air-to-air missiles, and when operating in the attack role they would
seat F-18 model to replace the F-4 Phantom in the fighter role, carry a forward-looking infrared scanner on the left hand side and
another single-seat A-18 which would replace the A-7 Corsair in the a laser spot tracker on the right hand side. On March 1, 1977, the
attack role, and a two seat TF-18 combat trainer. The F-18 and the Secretary of the Navy announced that the F/A-18 would carry the
A-18 were to share the same basic airframe and engine arrangement, name ‘Hornet’. The F-18 project was known as the Model 267 by
but were to differ in stores attachments and in the avionics. The two- the McDonnell Douglas, and retained the overall configuration of
The F/A-18E and
seat TF-18 was to retain the full mission capability and armament the Northrop YF-17, with its two engines, its twin outward-canted F offered the Navy
suite of the F-18, but was to have slightly reduced fuel capacity. vertical tail surfaces and its leading-edge wing root extensions a considerable
Eventually, however, careful redesign made it possible to merge the (LERX). However, the aircraft was structurally quite different from upgrade in
capability
two single-seat fighter and attack versions into a single aircraft, and the YF-17 in order to make it capable of enduring the additional

The F/A-18
Super Hornet has
stresses and strains involved in carrier operations. Both the airframe The Super Hornet
replaced the F-14 and the undercarriage were strengthened for carrier operations, wing By the late 1980s, both the F-14 Tomcat and the A-6E Intruder
Tomcat in the fleet folding was incorporated and a tailhook had to be provided, and were nearing the end of their service lives, and it was planned that
defence role
the fuel capacity was increased to meet the Navy-specified mission a navalised version of the F-22 Raptor would replace the F-14 and
radius. Also as the Navy wanted and all-weather capability and the that the A-12 would replace the A-6E. However, both programs
ability to carry and launch radar-homing missiles such as the AIM-7 required a considerable advance in technology and promised to be
Sparrow, the small radar of the YF-17 had to be replaced with a extremely costly. Consequently, the Defence Department ordered
more powerful installation and at the end of 1977, the Hughes AN/ the Navy to consider derivatives of the proven F/A-18 Hornet as
APG-65 digital multi-mode radar was selected over its Westinghouse stopgap measures until the F-22 and A-12 could be made available.
competitor. The Hornet was among the first aircraft to heavily use The project became known as the Hornet 2000, which was officially
multi-function displays, which at the switch of a button allowed the introduced in 1987. However, the demise of the Soviet Union and
crew to perform either fighter or attack roles or both. The Hornet the end of the Cold War spelled the end of both the A-12 project
went on to be one of the most successful aircraft designs of the 20th and the navalised F-22, and the Hornet 2000 project became more
century, used by both the US Navy and US Marine Corps in both important.
singe-seat and two-seat versions. The Hornet also gained some McDonnell Douglas immediately proposed their Hornet 2000 as
notable export successes, and was also used extensively in both Gulf an alternative to the A-12 and F-22, and although it was essentially
Wars, over Bosnia, and latterly Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. a new aircraft, it was assigned the designation F/A-18E (single seat)
The Super Hornet

has trapezoidal
intakes
8 Chapter 1
The US Navy
felt that the
YF-17 possessed
significant
potential for a
multi-mission
capability
The ‘Legacy’
Hornet has a true
multi-mission
capability
An F/A-18F Super
Hornet from VX-23
refuels from a
KC-130T Hercules
during a test
flight. The Super
Hornet is loaded
with a variety of
ordnance, including
air-to-air missiles,
air-to-ground
missiles and laser-
guided bombs

A colourful F/A-
18F from the
NSAWC
An F/A-18F Super
Hornet from VX-23
conducts a flight
test mission just
off the coast of
Maryland
A VX-23 Super
Hornet comes in
to ‘trap’
10 Chapter 1
An F/A-18E Hornet
from VX-23 makes
the first ‘trap’
aboard the USS
Ronald Reagan
F/A-18F Super of
VX-9 conducts an
operational test
mission with the
APG-79 Active
Electronically
Scanned Array
(AESA) radar
or F/A-18F (two-seat). The Navy liked the proposals and a contract operating weight. The wing of the F/A-18E/F had an outboard
for five single-seat F/A-18Es, two twin-seat F/A-18Fs, plus three leading edge chord extension, leading to a definite ‘dogtooth’, which
ground test airframes was issued in December 1992. One of the more was not present on the F/A-18C/D. The enlarged wing area gave the
important goals of the project was a forty-percent increase in the F/A-18E/F additional lift, allowing for a slower approach speed, and
original Hornet’s range, seen by many as its primary weakness. It by enlarging the wing area and adding the aforementioned fuselage
was also designed to correct some of the legacy Hornet’s deficiencies ‘plug’, some 3,000 pounds of additional fuel could be carried.
in payload and bring-back capability, while at the same time Therefore a fleet air defence F/A-18E/F carrying four AMRAAMS,
providing a new platform capable of additional growth to support two AIM-9s and external tanks would be able to loiter on station
new technologies. The F/A-18E/F program underwent a successful for seventy-one minutes at a distance of 400 nautical miles from
Preliminary Design Review in the summer of 1993, resulting in its parent carrier, as opposed to only fifty-eight minutes for the
relatively few changes. Production wise, Northrop Grumman was to F-14D. The F/A-18E/F was also provided with two extra underwing
build the centre/aft fuselage at its Hawthorne, California facility and hardpoints and this raised external stores carriage capability to
McDonnell Douglas was to build the forward fuselage at its St Louis, 17,750 pounds. The aircraft had a higher landing weight, which
facility. In order to provide the required significantly increased allowed it to return to its carrier with an increased weight of
range, the aircraft had to be given the ability to carry a lot more unexpended ordnance, and greater space for chaff and flares was
internal fuel, and in order to provide this extra space, a fuselage also provided, increasing this from sixty to 120 canisters. The
‘plug’ was added, increasing the overall length of the F/A-18E/F by undercarriage was basically the same as that on the F/A-18C/D,
two-feet, ten-inches over that of the F/A-18C/D. but was strengthened to accommodate the additional weight.
In addition, the wing was enlarged by twenty-five percent, with Additionally there is more ground clearance so that the aircraft could
an increase in wingspan of four feet, three and a half inches, and carry a larger fuel tank or reconnaissance pod on the centreline
an increase of 100 square feet in area. The increase in wing size A pair of uprated General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans would
is accompanied by a deepening at the roots to take extra loads. power the F/A-18E/F, offering thirty-five percent more thrust than
The new wing has no twist or camber and was stressed for extra the F404 from which it is derived. There was also a completely

F/A-18F Super of
VX-9 on a low-
level evaluation
sortie
An F/A-18F Super
Hornet from VX-9
returns to its
home at NAWS
China Lake
Armed with
two AIM-120
AMRAAMs, an
F/A-18F Super
Hornet, of VX-9,
prepares to make
an arrested
landing on the
USS Ronald
Reagan
12 Chapter 1
An F/A-18E from
the NSAWC
undergoing carrier
evaluations
re-designed engine air intake of trapezoidal configuration replaced

the D-shaped intakes of the earlier Hornets. These intakes will
provide eighteen percent more air to the uprated engines and give
better performance at high speed. The area of the twin vertical fins
was also increased by fifteen-percent, and the rudder area was
increased by fifty-four percent, and the range of movement is such
that they can be deflected ten-degrees more, up to forty degrees. The
area of the leading edge root extensions was also increased by thirty-
four percent. Although the aircraft is not a true ‘stealth’ platform in
the strict sense, some stealth technology is incorporated in the F/A-
18E/F, notably on the wing leading edges to augment the beneficial
effect of skinning with large areas of carbon epoxy. Radar absorbent
material is added to critical surface areas, and the redesigned intakes
significantly help to deflect radar waves. In addition, access panels
and landing gear doors have jagged or serrated edges to deflect radar
waves reducing the radar cross section to approximately that of an
F-16. The original radar was the Raytheon AN/APG-73, and later
An F/A-18F Super
the APG-79 AESA was installed with a retrofit option. However, the system, designated the ALQ-214. The suite includes the enhanced Hornet from VX-23
APG-79 was not available for aircraft built prior to Lot 26, as these ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver, the ALQ-214 countermeasures gets airborne from
aircraft do not have the redesigned forward fuselage required for system and the fibre-optic towed ALE-55 deceptive jammer. The the USS George H
W Bush
APG-79 installation. AIM-9M Sidewinder was the standard wingtip missile, supplanted
The crew sits on Martin-Baker SJU-17/A ejection seats and the by theAIM-9X which uses the motor and warhead from the existing
single-seat F/A-18E has the 5 x 5-inch central display of the F/A- Sidewinder but has a new imaging seeker and thrust-vectoring
18C replaced by a new 8in x 8in flat panel active matrix LCD. The control which offers significantly better off-boresight capability. The
two other 5in x 5in multipurpose CRT screens were retained, as primary beyond-visible range missile is the AIM-120C AMRAAM,
was the existing HUD, except that the control panel just below was which can be carried on any pylon except the centerline and the
replaced by a monochrome touch-sensitive screen. The rear cockpit wingtips. The four inner wing pylons can carry twin-rail launchers
of the F/A-18F has identical instrumentation, except that it has for the AMRAAM. An alternative to the AMRAAM is the older
no HUD and the 8in x 8in screen is located above the landscape- AIM-7 Sparrow, of which up to eight can be carried. The F/A-18E/F
format touch screen. The F/A-18E/F has improved countermeasures also has plenty of expanded capacity for future growth.
systems centred on the Integrated Defense Countermeasures
XXX
14 Chapter 2
Super Chapter 2
Hornet
The F/A-18E and F/A-18F
M
cDonnell Douglas opened the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Sea trials began on August 6, 1996 at NAS Patuxent River, when
assembly line in St Louis on September 23, 1994, and a Super Hornet made a catapult launch from the facility’s land-
production of the centre/aft fuselage began in May 1994 at based steam-powered catapult. The first landing by the Super
Northrop Grumman in Hawthorne, California. The prototype F/A- Hornet aboard an aircraft carrier took place on January 18 1997,
18E Super Hornet, BuNo 165164 was rolled out on September 18, when an F/A-18F landed on the USS John C Stennis. Full carrier
1995 at St. Louis, and it flew for the first time on November 29, 1995. trials began after flight-testing was suspended
Ten test aircraft were built, seven of which were for flight-testing, briefly in December 1996 when a test
these being five Es and two Fs, and the other three being ground aircraft experience a compressor stall.
test vehicles. The flight test program was began in February 1996 The Super Hornet’s final carrier
at the Naval Air Warfare Centre (NAWC) at Patuxent River, qualifications tests were carried
Maryland, and assembly of the first production aircraft out in February and March of 1999
began in 1998 for service entry in 2001. aboard the USS Harry S Truman. The The front end of
the Super Hornet
first production Super Hornet, BuNo is the same as
165533 flew for the first time on that of the legacy
Hornet
The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 15

A ‘Diamondbacks’
two-seater waits
for it’s call
forward
A Sharksmouth
works well on the
Super Hornet
An ‘Argonaut’
traps
16 Chapter 1
A good underside
view is afforded
here
A VA-22 aircraft
prepares for a
‘cat-shot’
A very ‘toothy’
Super Hornet from
the ‘Royal Maces’

A ‘Diamondbacks’
two-seater gets
airborne
Armed and
dangerous this
VFA-115 aircraft
climbs away for a
sortie over Iraq
Marking applied in
memory of 9-11
18 Chapter 2
One of the ‘Black
Aces’ from VFA-41
On armed patrol
over Iraq
Note the ATFLIR

on the intake
station
November 9, 1998. This was the first of a dozen low-rate initial evaluation phase. This was to be the fleet readiness squadron, which
production Super Hornets. A problem was encountered with ‘wing meant that it had the responsibility for developing the training
drop’ during the test and evaluation phase, and the addition of a program and for developing the tactics that would be used by Super
porous wing-fold fairing fixed the problem, and cleared the way for Hornet users.
the Navy to award Boeing a contract for the second low-rate initial The later production Super Hornets came equipped with the
production contract for twenty aircraft. Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). This system uses a
Beginning on May 27, 1999, the F/A-18E/F underwent operational magnetic head tracker attached to the helmet that can synchronise
evaluation with VX-9 at NAS China Lake, where seven-production the pilot’s head movements so that he/she can train the aircraft’s
model Super Hornets went through an exhaustive series of tests radar, infrared sensors, and weaponry simply by looking at the
to assess the aircraft’s capabilities in operational missions. Three target and pressing a button on the control stick. It should be
single-seat and four two-seat aircraft were involved. The Super especially effective when it is integrated with the AIM-9X high
Hornet began to replace the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was off-boresight Sidewinder air-to-air missile. It will no longer be
finally retired on 2006, and the first operational unit to get the Super necessary to manoeuvre the aircraft into the effective seeker arc of
Hornet was VFA-122, based at NAS Lemoore, California. This unit the missile, which means that if the pilot can see the target, he/she
received their first seven aircraft on November 17, 1999 when they can fire at it. The Super Hornet can also carry the Raytheon Shared
flew in from NAS China Lake after completion of the operational Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP), and this all-weather system can be
The Super Hornets
clean lines are
evident here
A brace of
‘Swordsmen’ form
VFA-32
One of the ‘Black

Aces’ rides the
‘cat’
20 Chapter 2
On board is the
AN/ALQ-165
Airborne Self-
Protect Jammer
Ready to roll!
In low-vis
markings a
‘Diamondback’
come in to land

installed in a pod that is carried on the centreline station.
For targeting, the Super Hornet uses the ASQ-228 Advanced
Tactical FLIR (ATFLIR). The system includes integrated forward-
looking infrared and laser spot trackers, and a laser designator
that allows accurate target identification and tracking in almost
all weather conditions. It also allows greater standoff ranges for
weapons delivery than previous systems. The system features a
continuous auto-boresight alignment capability, which makes a
kill on the first pass more likely, and is integrated with new radar
modes for the APG-79, which gives an excellent high-resolution
synthetic aperture radar ground mapping capability. The
system is housed in a pod, which is mounted on the aircraft’s
left fuselage station, and is compatible with the F/A-18C/D as
well. The defensive countermeasures of Block I aircraft included
the AN/ALR-67(V)3 RWR, the AN/ALE-67 countermeasures
dispenser, the AN/ALE-50 and in later Blocks by the AN/ALE-55
towed decoy system and the AN/ALQ-165 Airborne Self-Protect
Jammer (ASPJ). Block II aircraft replaced the ALQ-165 with the
AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Countermeasures (IDECM)
system, consisting of internally mounted threat receivers and
optional self-protection jammers. The Navy is also integrating
170 F/A-18E/F Block II jets with a next-generation Infrared
Search and Track or IRST system, designed to locate air-to-air
targets in a high-threat electronic attack environment, and an
F/A-18F performed a flight, equipped with the IRST system in
February 2014.
Note the variety of

ordnance carried
over Iraq
Well armed and

on patrol over
Afghanistan
22 Chapter 2
You can
almost feel the
deceleration as
this ‘Swordsman’
traps
A thirsty
‘Diamondback’
comes in to take
on gas
A colourful VFA-
115 jet comes in
to land

US Navy and
RAAF meet!
Head on Hornet!
24 Chapter 2
Trailing a
refuelling
hose ready for
customers
A VFA-2 bird in
‘buddy’ refuelling
mode
A VFA-22 F/A-18F
formates with a
colourful legacy
Hornet from
VFA-113

Taking the wire is
the VFA-97 bird
Super Hornets
fly the Close Air
Support, strike,
escort, SEAD and
aerial refuelling
missions
The trapezoidal
intakes are one of
the distinguishing
features of the
Super Hornet
Digital Hornet – a
‘Kestrels’ CAG
bird
26 Chapter 2
Firing off flares for
The Super Hornet also carries the new Multi-functional advanced displays, and added the advance aft crew station on the the camera
Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS- F/A-18F with its larger colour display and additional controllers. In
LVT), which is designed to provide the aircrew with more enhanced 2004, a new decoupled cockpit was introduced in the F model, in
near real-time situational awareness by using data from several which the two-crew members could perform air-to-air and air-to-
different sources. It is also capable of exchanging data with other ground missions simultaneously. Each crew-member will be able to
aircraft, over high-capacity, jam-resistant digital links. Periodic act independently to guide and control various weapons and sensors.
upgrades were built into the Super Hornet program. In 2001, the
Block I upgrade program began, in which new DMV-179 single-
board mission computers were added to replace the AYK-14s. A Super Hornet at War
more advanced electronic warfare suite was also introduced, along The Super Hornet received its first taste of combat with VFA-115,
with advanced mission displays and the JHMCS. Block II began with who initially flew missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation
Lot 26 production, and in this upgrade program, two multifunction ‘Enduring Freedom’, but did not expend any ordnance. However,
displays that were used in the F/18C/D were replaced with more because of the enhanced ‘bring-back’ capability offered by the F/A-18E,
Taking on gas
over Afghanistan
on 2013

Four Super
Hornets wait their
turn to refuel over
Iraq
Fuel spills away

as this Super
Hornet breaks
contact to resume
its patrol over Iraq
28 Chapter 2
Armed and
dangerous!
Steam swirls
as this ‘Eagle’
prepares to fly
most of the unexpended ordnance could be recovered aboard the carrier

to be used another day. On 6 November 2002, two F/A-18Es conducted Refuelling over
Iraq in-between
a ‘Response Option’ strike in support of Operation ‘Southern Watch’ airstrikes on ISIL
on two SAM launchers at Al Kut in Iraq and an air defence command
and control bunker at Tallil air base dropping JDAMS for the first time
from a Super Hornet. In support of Operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ VFA-14,
VFA-41 and VFA-115 flew Close Air Support, strike, escort, SEAD and
aerial refuelling sorties. Two F/A-18Es from VFA-14 and two F/A-18Fs
from VFA-41 were also forward deployed to the USS Abraham Lincoln,
and on 6 April 2005, VFA-154 and VFA-dropped two 500lb laser-guided
bombs on an enemy insurgent location east of Baghdad. On 8 September
2006 VFA-211s F/A-18Fs Super Hornets expended GBU-12 and GBU-38
bombs against Taliban forces near Kandahar, and during the 2006–2007
cruise with Dwight D Eisenhower VFA-103 and VFA-154 supported
Operations ‘Iraqi Freedom’, ‘Enduring Freedom’ and operations off
the Somali coast. On 7 August 2014, US forces began missions against
Islamic State and on 8 August two Super Hornets from the George H W
Bush dropped 500lb laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece Later
that day, four more aircraft struck a seven-vehicle convoy and a mortar
position, and operations against IS continue at the time of writing.
Electronic Chapter 3
Stinger
The EA-18G Growler
T
he EA-18G ‘Growler’ is a derivative of the combat-proven two- Grumman was the principal airframe subcontractor, and they would
seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, with structural changes and the supply the centre and aft fuselage as well as the principal electronic
installation of new avionics and mission systems and powered combat system.
by two General Electric F414-GE-400 afterburning turbofan engines. The first EA-18G test aircraft entered production on 22 October
The aircraft missions are primarily electronic attack (EA) and 2004, and the first test aircraft, known as EA-1, was rolled out
suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), particularly at the start on 3 August 2006, before making its maiden flight at St. Louis
and on-going early stages of hostilities. One of the key external visual on 15 August 2006; it was later ferried to NAS Patuxent River
characteristics is the wingtip air-to-air missiles on the F/A-18 Super on 22 September 2006. The second aircraft EA-2 first flew on 10
Hornet are normally replaced by wideband receiver pods on the November 2006, and was delivered to NAS Patuxent River on 29
EA-18 Growler and the other hard-points carry a mix of electronic November 2006. Both aircraft were assigned to VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’.
warfare pods and weapons. The EA-18G began production in 2007 EA-1 and EA-2 were F/A-18Fs F-134 and F-135, taken from the
and entered operational service in late 2009. On 15 November 2001, St. Louis production line and modified by Boeing to the EA-18G
Boeing successfully completed an initial flight demonstration of configuration. However, since they were not built initially as
F/A-18F ‘F-1’ fitted with the ALQ-99 electronic-warfare system to
serve as the EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) concept
aircraft. In December 2003, the US Navy awarded a
development contract for the EA-18G to Boeing. As
primary contractor, Boeing was to construct
Steam for the
catapult swirls
the forward fuselage, wings and perform
around this VAQ- the final assembly. Northrop
130 Growler as
it prepares for
take-off
30 Chapter 3
The EA-18G
integrates an
advanced airborne
electronic attack
capability with
advanced strike
capabilities
The EA-18G Growler 31

Boeing roll out the
first EA-18G, EA-1
on 3 August 2006
An EA-18G
Growler of VX-31
returns to NAWS
China Lake at the
conclusion of a
test mission
Test Growler,
and note the
instrumentation
boom on the nose
32 Chapter 3
The Growler undergoing refuelling trials
A colourful
Growlers, the Navy has designated these two test aircraft as NEA- are displayed directly on the pilot’s visor. The EA-18G integrates an Growler from
18Gs. The first operational aircraft was delivered to NAS Whitby advanced airborne electronic attack capability with the advanced VAQ-129 gets
Island in June 2008 and operational evaluation began in October strike capabilities, including advanced weapons, sensors and airborne
2008 onboard the USS John C Stennis. In service the aircraft carry communications systems, installed on the F/A-18 Super Hornet
out a range of missions including standoff and escort jamming, aircraft. The Block 1 Growler is fitted with up to three AN/ALQ-99
surveillance and strike. The two-seat cockpit has the pilot crew radar jamming pods, together with an AN/ALQ-218(V)2 receiver
station and the electronic warfare officer’s advanced crew station. and a Raytheon AN/ALQ-227 communications countermeasures
The advanced crew station is equipped with a touch-screen liquid system both of which are mounted in the bay previously designated
crystal display (LCD) mission systems control and display, a 203mm as the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft’s gun bay. The AN/ALQ-99 receivers
x 23mm (8in x 10in) full-colour tactical LCD, and two multipurpose are installed in the tail of the aircraft and the AN/ALQ-99 pod houses
127mm x 127mm (5in²) LCDs. The displays have tactical aircraft the exciters and the high radiated power-jamming transmitters. The
moving map capability - TAMMAC. Block 2 Growler is equipped with the APG-79 multi-mode radar
The aircraft was equipped with HOTAS control and full digital fly- with passive detection mode and active radar suppression, ALQ-
by-wire systems. The aircraft is also fitted with a helmet-mounted 218(V)2 digital radar warning receiver and ALE-47 countermeasures
cueing system, and the HMCS provides ‘first look - first shot’ dispenser.
weapons engagement capability. The system enables the pilot to The advanced tactical radar, the APG-79 Active Electronically
accurately direct or cue the weapons against enemy aircraft while Scanned Array (AESA) radar provides air-to-air and air-to-ground
performing high-g manoeuvres. The pilot points his head at the capability with detection, targeting, tracking and protection
target and weapons are directed to the target. Aircraft and mission modes. The interleaved radar modes include real beam-mapping
data such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters mode and synthetic aperture radar mode with air-to-air search;
VAQ-129’s
commemorative
jet gets airborne
from NA Whitby
Island
A VAQ-130 jet
comes in to catch
the wire
A good plan view

of a Growler as its
rises on the deck
elevator
34 Chapter 3
A good frontal view showing the EA-18Gs stores stations
Prowler and Growler. Two aircraft painted in a special scheme to commemorate those airmen lost in the Pacific during World War II

Hi-vis and low-vis
a pair of VAQ-130
air-to-air tracking, sea surface search and ground moving target out active transmitting jamming, Block 2 aircraft have the capability
jets formate indication and tracking The AN/ALQ-218(V)2 is a variant of the of handing off target data to other airborne, land or surface
Improved Capabilities (ICAP) III system deployed on the US Navy’s attack platforms. The EA-18G also uses the INCANS Interference
EA-6B Prowler. The system’s antennas are located on the port and Cancellation system that will allow voice communication while
starboard sides of the nose, the engine bays, in the wingtip pods jamming enemy communications, a capability not available on the
and to the aft of the cockpit, providing 360° cover. The passive EA-6B. In addition to the radar warning and jamming equipment
countermeasures system provides threat detection, identification the Growler possesses, a communications receiver and jamming
and location, and an ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser can be used system provides suppression and electronic attack against airborne
to fire radar and infrared decoys. communication threats.
The aircraft is armed with the AIM-120 AMRAAM advanced On 5 August 2009, EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-129 and VAQ-
medium-range air-to-air missiles and AGM-88 HARM high-speed 132 completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing aboard the
anti-radiation missiles. In a surveillance-only configuration the USS Harry S Truman. The first deployable EA-18G squadron was
Growler is armed with two AIM-120 air-to-air missiles for self- VAQ-132 ‘Scorpions’, which reached operational status in October
defence. For standoff jamming and escort jamming missions the 2009. The first Growler operational deployment was announced on
Growler is armed with two AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles plus two 17 February 2011, and the Growler was first used in combat the same
AIM-120 missiles. In a strike configuration the Growler is armed year during Operation ‘Odyssey Dawn’, enforcing the UN no-fly zone
with two each of AGM-88 HARM missiles, AGM-154 JSOW joint over Libya, and VAQ-141 deployed in the spring of 2011 aboard the
AN/ALQ-99
receivers are
standoff weapon and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles. While carrying George H W Bush.
installed in the tail
36 Chapter 3
A Growler from
VAQ-138
A VAQ-135
Growler in
operations over
Afghanistan
The RAAF will

also operate the
EA-18G

The Growler
was first used
in combat
during Operation
‘Odyssey Dawn’
over Libya
A VX-9 Growler on
a test flight – the
two-seat cockpit
has the pilot crew
station and the
electronic warfare
officer’s advanced
crew station
38 Chapter 3
Australian Growlers
In 2008 announced the purchase up to six EA-18Gs, which would
be part of the order for twenty-four F/A-18F Super Hornets, and on
3 May 2013, the Australian Government announced that it will buy
twelve new-build Growlers to supplement the existing Super Hornet
fleet. Australia took delivery of the first of twelve Growlers on 29 July
2015, with delivery of the remaining jets expected by 2017. Following
the 2011 US Navy Operation ‘Odyssey Dawn’ missions over Libya,
the Royal Australian Air Force decided to add the Raytheon ATFLIR
pod to their order of Growler aircraft. When Navy EA-18Gs’ radar
and radar detectors located possible targets, they passed the
information through data-links to strike fighters. However, the
Growlers themselves lacked the ability to visually confirm what it
detected, so adding a FLIR pod gives it visual acuity to see targets,
although it is not known if the US Navy will also add a FLIR pod.
RAAF Growlers will also have additional air-to-air weapons in
the form of the AIM-9X Sidewinder, and will be operated by No.6
The EF-18G gives
Squadron. the RAAF an
expanded mission
capability
For standoff
jamming and
escort jamming
missions the
Growler is armed
with two AGM-88
anti-radiation
missile

The Advanced
Advanced
Super Hornet
4
would have
Conformal Fuel
Tanks
Chapter
Super Hornet
T
o further increase the Super Hornets potential Boeing and revealed a Super Hornet hybrid concept, equipped with the EA-18G
Northrop Grumman self-funded a prototype of an ‘Advanced Growler’s electronic signal detection capabilities to allow for targets
Super Hornet’. The prototype featured a 50% reduction in engagement using the receiver, the concept did not include the ALQ-
frontal radar cross-section (RCS), conformal fuel tanks (CFT), and 99 jamming pod, and future capabilities could include the addition
an enclosed weapons pod. These features could also be integrated of a long-range infrared search and track sensor and new air-to-air
onto the EA-18G. Flight tests of the Advanced Super Hornet began tracking modes.
on 5 August 2013 trialling the performance of CFTs, the enclosed
weapons pod (EWP), and signature enhancements. In 2014, Boeing
Flying with
the Enclosed
Weapons pod
fitted
40 Chapter 4
A frontal view
showing the shape
change with
Conformal Fuel
Tanks
The Advanced
Super Hornet
would also feature
and Enclosed
Weapons Pod
The prototype
featured a 50%
reduction in
frontal radar
cross-section
Advanced Super Hornet 41

Australian Chapter 5
Exports
RAAF Super Hornets
On 5 October
2014, the RAAF
officially started
combat missions
over Iraq
O
n 3 May 2007, the Australian Government signed a contract US export approval for the EF-18Gs and in February 2009, it was
to acquire twenty-four F/A-18Fs for the RAAF as an interim announced that twelve of the twenty-four Super Hornets would be
replacement for their ageing F-111s. The Block II package wired on the production line for future modification as Growlers.
aircraft offered to the RAAF included installed engines and six The first RAAF Super Hornet was completed in 2009 and first
spares, APG-79 AESA radars, Link 16 connectivity, LAU-127 guided flew from Boeing’s factory on 21 July 2009, and RAAF crews began
missile launchers, AN/ALE-55 Fibre Optic Towed Decoys and other training in the US in 2009. The RAAF’s first five F/A-18Fs arrived
equipment. However, the most significant improvement was the RAAF Amberley in Queensland, on 26 March 2010, and and were
aforementioned AN/APG-79 AESA Radar. Other items bought joined by six more aircraft on 7 July 2010. Following the arrival of
Everything down specifically for the F/A-18F fleet include Raytheon’s AN/ASQ-228 another four aircraft in December 2010, the first RAAF F/A-18F
as the Super
Hornet comes in
ATFLIR surveillance and targeting pods, and AIM-9X short-range squadron, No.6 was declared operational on 9 December 2010.
to land air-to-air missiles. The Australian government has also sought In May 2013, Australia announced they would order twelve new
42 Chapter 5
A pair of RAAF
Super Hornets
move in to refuel
On 8 October 2014, an Australian Super Hornet conducted its first attack against IS forces A pair of RAAF F/A-18Fs on strike missions against IS
The F/A-18F fleet include

Raytheon’s AN/ASQ-228
ATFLIR surveillance and
targeting pods
Australian Exports 43
The RAAF
purchased the
electronic warfare equipped EA-18Gs, details of which can be found
Super Hornet in Chapter 4. Details of the RAAF EA-18Gs can be found in Chapter 4
as an interim On 24 September 2014, eight RAAF F/A-18Fs, along with a tanker,
replacement
for their ageing an early warning aircraft, and 400 personnel arrived in the UAE to
F-111s take part in operations against Islamic State militants. On 5 October
2014, the RAAF officially started combat missions over Iraq, with
a pair of F/A-18Fs armed with GPS guided bombs and a KC-30
refuelling aircraft and returned safely to base without attacking
targets. On 8 October 2014, an Australian Super Hornet conducted
its first attack against IS forces, dropping two bombs on an ISIL
facility in northern Iraq.
The Super Hornets are operated by No.6 Squadron
Heading out for

another sortie
44 Chapter 5
Colour Side Profiles
Andrew Borovyh – of Tailhook Prints
Boeing F/A-18F 166873/100 of VFA-154
Boeing F/A-18F 166977/100 of VFA-2
Boeing F/A-18E 168910/300 of VFA-87
Boeing F/A-18F 166620/200 of VFA-103
Colour Side Profiles 45

Boeing F/A-18E 165897/200 of VFA-137
Boeing F/A-18F 166797/200 of VFA-211
Boeing F/A-18F 166663/200 of VFA-213
Boeing F/A-18E 166957/111 of VX-9
46 Colour Side Profiles

Boeing F/A-18F 165801/223 of VX-23
Boeing F/A-18E 166423/100 of VFA-143
Boeing F/A-18F 166915/100 of VFA-102
Colour Side Profiles 47

Boeing F/A-18E 165873/300 of VFA-146
48 Colour Side Profiles

Modelling the Chapter 6
Super Hornet
Splintered and Digitised Kestrel

Sunhwie Hwang builds the stunning 2011 F/A-18E Super Hornet CAG bird from VFA-137
H
ot on the heels of their support of Operations ‘New Dawn’ Panel Line Wash to pick out the details and they fixed all of the
and ‘Enduring Freedom’ at the end of 2010, March 2011 saw smaller items before semi-matt coat sealed everything in.
the ‘Kestrels’ of VFA-137 back in action, participating in Under the wings, I used some weaponry from an Academy Super
‘Northern Edge’ exercises at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. Hornet and chose the AIM-120C and GBU-31 JDAM, which were
At this time they painted up their ‘CAG bird’ in a unique digital- suitably weathered for effect. This certainly was a unique aircraft
splinter camouflage pattern and one that I thoroughly enjoyed building and decalling.
For this build I used the 1:48 Hasegawa F/A-18E, and added
Aires resin cockpit, wheel bays and engine nozzles sets. The cockpit
posed a few issues getting it to fit into the fuselage, but a little
patience and plenty of test fitting and the removal of the moulded
in nosewheel bay did the job. As the kit is for an early model ‘E’ the
panels around the nose electronics bay and the chin antennas need
to be revised and rescribed, my best advice here is to check your
references.
I painted the aircraft in standard US Navy colours and for the
unique look of this aircraft I used a set of decals from Hong Kong
manufacturer DXM. The quality is excellent, as they are printed
by Cartograf and the colours are bright and very clear and the
instructions are spot on. I used plenty of Micro-Sol and Micro-Set
and they settled down very nicely. I then added an Ammo of MIG
Modelling The Super Hornet 49
50 Chapter 6
Kits and Accessories Used in This Build
F/A-18E Super Hornet
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Scale: 1:48
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: HA07239
Aires F/A-18E Super Hornet Cockpit Set #4295
Aires F/A-18E/F Super Hornet wheel bay #4293
Aires F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles – Closed
Quickboost, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ECS Pipes – Late
DMX F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-137 Kestrels CAG 2011

Super Detailed Super Bug
Florent Welter details the 1:48 Hasegawa ‘Diamondbacks’ F/A-18F
T
his Hasegawa kit was released back in 2005, and is
undoubtedly the best quarter scale F/A-18F on the market.
The overall shape is accurate, the engraving is fine and clean,
and the light grey plastic used is of great quality. I only found a few
issues during my build and these were easy to solve, and I added lot
of extra parts to super-detail what was an already well-defined kit.
I used a Black Box #CS48007 resin set to detail the cockpit,
and this was painted in the classic Light Ghost Grey with the side
panels in flat black. Then I added a dark wash and picked out the F/A-18F Super Hornet
details using various colours. I then gave the whole area a light dry Manufacturer: Hasegawa
brushing to enhance the details further. The cockpit instruments Scale: 1:48
also had a drop of clear varnish added to their screens. The Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded with etch
NACES SJU-17 ejector seats proved a little difficult to get right, but Kit Number: PT038
the result was excellent. The seats were painted olive green, the
harnesses in light grey and the rest in black. It took some time to
paint the yellow and black ejector seat handles and here I used a 0.1 The fans were painted using Alclad Jet Exhaust and dry brushed in
Rotring pen. The tub then fitted snugly into the fuselage light grey, before being fixed into the fuselage.
Next the air intakes were built, and this is one of the more tricky There were also some other fit issues on the fuselage that
parts of the kit, and could have been better designed, and the required some filling, sanding and the re-scribing of panel lines,
gaps between parts C13, A16, C15 and A17 are difficult to define. all of which took time and patience. Once finished, the canopy was
Hasegawa supplies the intake air ducts leading to the engines as temporarily glued closed in order to facilitate the handling and
separate parts, but they would have been better as a single piece, painting. Before this, the narrow mould seam that runs all along
so I used a superb set from Two Mikes Resin. These were prepared the canopy must be addressed, and here I used several grades
and painted flat white and darkened with graphite on the insides. of abrasive, from 1600 to 12000, in order not to scratch the clear
plastic too deeply. To finish, I polished it with Tamiya Compound.
In order to mask the canopy, I used 1mm wide ‘Jammydog’
masking tape. The rudders were then fixed at slightly deflected
angles for more interest. The kit also offers the same option with
the leading-edge slats and flaps, which I chose to portray.
The kit-supplied undercarriage was very well detailed, and just
a few wire brake lines were added. The wheels were replaced by
ones from Royal Resin, suitably painted. In order to weather the
rims lightly, I used washes from made from Citadel products. The
landing gear legs were painted in flat black then white and washed
with MIG Productions Dark Wash. The oleo portions were wrapped
in Bare-Metal Foil ‘Ultra Bright Chrome’ for a better effect. As far
as the armament is concerned, I was surprised to find missiles
in the box, as Hasegawa usually like to supply these as extra sets!
Two Sidewinders and two AIM-120 AMRAMMs are supplied so I
decided on a classic configuration with three 480 gallon tanks and
two AIM-9X Sidewinders. I added a pair of yellow ‘noddy-caps’ to the
Sidewinders and also used some Eduard ‘Remove Before Flight’ tags.
52 Chapter 6
I wanted to do a colourful Superbug as I thought it showed off use TwoBobs Decals #48-105 to represent this, but as we will see
the aircraft’s lines very well and added a splash of colour to an later, only a few decals were used. The aircraft is painted in the
otherwise drab color scheme! So I chose VFA-102 Diamondbacks classic US Navy FS36320 for the upper surfaces, FS36375 for the
50th Anniversary jet, from Atsugi in Japan. I first intended to lower surfaces and FS35237 for the trailing edges, with white for
the wheel wells. For this I used Prince August colours. As noted
earlier I intended to use the TwoBobs decal sheet, but I took the
decision to paint the solid red and white areas more in line with the
real aircraft. Gunze Red H327 matched perfectly the few decals I

decided to use. After some careful masking by using the decal sheet
as a template, the result was quite striking!
I allowed the paint to dry for forty-eight hours before removing
the masking, and then I applied a coat of satin varnish, and once
dry I added the decals and markings. I then airbrushed on some
light weathering using a diluted light grey lightened with white.
The F/A-18’s paint scheme soon weathers in the exposed elements,
and lubricant spills and stains are commonplace. MIG Productions
Dark Wash was used to accentuate the panel lines and a further
light application in selected areas was wiped in the direction of the
airflow for more effect. The exhausts were painted with various
Alclad shades followed by the final assembly of any remaining
parts. This was a great project, and a great kit.
54 Chapter 6
Bug-Zapper
Tom Sunley takes a close look at the 1:48 Hasegawa EF-18G ‘Growler’
W
ith the USA’s current electronic attack fighter, the EA-6B
Prowler, nearing end of life a successor was badly
needed. The role would be taken over by the new family
member to the ‘Superbug’ series as the EA-18G. The aircraft shares
90% commonality with its counterpart, the combat proven F/A-18F,
giving it a decent self-defence suite as well as the primary mission
equipment required to fulfil the electronic attack role. The Growler
has already seen active service and cut its teeth during Operation
‘Odyssey Dawn’ Enforcing a UN no fly zone over Libya. On opening EA-18 Growler
the box one is greeted with some 300 parts in grey styrene. At Manufacturer: Hasegawa
first glance it was evident the detail on the parts was crisp and Scale: 1:48
not overdone in both panel line and in the riveting detail. Glazing Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
had the typical seam line along the centre of the main canopy but Kit Number: HSGPT52
this was to be easily taken care of later in the build. The cockpit
parts were adequately detailed for scale but would have benefitted
from being replaced with a resin aftermarket part just to bring

the detail of the kit up a notch. It was decided at this the seats. These were painted Buff before flattening
point to detail as much as possible straight from the with varnish to bring all the different sheens together.
box and close the canopy after polishing to ensure Before assembly could progress it was necessary to drill
perfect clarity. There is an excellent choice of decals some holes on the insides of the front fuselage halves for
allowing the build to represent Growlers from VFA-141 the fitting of antennae at a later stage in the build. After
‘Shadowhawks’ CAG, 2010 and VFQ-129 ‘Vikings’ CAG, cementing the cockpit tub to the fuselage floor the front
2008 both of which were very colourful examples of the fuselage sides were cemented together. The fuselage floor
aircraft. Neither of these examples, however, were to be used and cockpit assembly was fitted and glued into position.
for this particular build as it was the Aviano based EA-18G of Location tabs were not very substantial in the cockpit floor
VAQ-132 ‘Scorpions’ BuNo 166894 which took part in Operation so care needed to be taken to ensure a good fit so as seam lines
‘Odyssey Dawn’ in April 2011 which was to be modelled here. could be kept flush during the drying and setting stage. Once
Decals for the build came from Afterburner decals sheet 48-077 suitably hardened the seams were sanded smooth using a fine
‘Superbug Cags and Special Schemes #3’ sanding stick. The gun ports on the fuselage nose were filled with
Assembly started with the cockpit area. After careful removal putty and allowed to harden before gently sanding them back as no
from the sprue the tub and instrument panels were sprayed Dark guns are fitted in the Growler. Various panel lines on the fuselage
Gull Grey before detail painting the various components and that are not applicable to the EF-18G were also filled as per the
instrument areas using Black and Dark Greys. The instrument instruction sheet and sanded smooth once dry. Before cementing
panels were then coated with clear varnish to provide a suitable the halves together the wings had numerous holes drilled in
surface for the application of instruments provided in decal form. them to allow pylons and fillets to be attached later. These were
Ejection seats were assembled and painted using Black for the drilled out using a 1.5mm drill bit held in a pin vice. These were
frame parts and Khaki Green for the cushioned areas. The frames then attached to the main fuselage top half and held in position
were dry brushed with white once dry allowing the detail on using 18mm Tamiya tape to hold them flush and in position until
the parts to stand out and look more convincing. Seat belts were they had set hard. A further three 1.5mm holes were drilled for
fashioned from lead foil and attached to the mounting points on antennae in the spine.
56 Chapter 6
The intake trunking was coated. Once dry a dark wash was applied to accentuate the lovely
assembled next, and required some work detail provided by Hasegawa. The piston parts were painted silver
on the seams to make the trunking seamless. The before turning ones attention to the well doors. All gear doors
trunking was allowed to dry naturally then was sprayed were removed from the sprues and cleaned up before painting the
White. Finally the assemblies were coated with Clear gloss. Fan insides white. The edges of the doors were brush painted red and
blades were painted Bolt Gun Metal before fitting to the end of using a dark wash again highlighted panel detail. The external
each intake trunking. The assembled trunking was fitted to its surfaces were sprayed using Light Compass Grey and, once dry
respective fuselage side and the sides cemented to the fuselage were fitted to the model as were the gear legs.
bottom piece ensuring all seams were kept flush during the drying The vertical stabilizers were assembled and offered to the
process. The stabilisers were a push fit into the grommets allowing fuselage to test the fit, which was found to be very good. This
them to be held in position or swivelled to the desired position. meant that the stabilisers could be painted off the model and
At this stage the fuselage bottom assembly was cemented to the fitted near the end. The colourful stabs were to be the focal point
top assembly and, whilst being held together using Tamiya tape, of the aircraft and were initially given a panel line pre-shade.
was allowed to dry completely. Fuselage front section was fitted Base colour of Citadel Desert Yellow was then sprayed over inside
to the main fuselage assembly and cemented in position taking and outside surfaces. For the next colour it was decided to use
care to align correctly and ensure good seams. Two ALQ-218 pods the Blu-Tack ‘sausage’ method for masking. For this ‘White Tack’
were assembled and, once dry and after having seams cleaned up, was rolled into thin rolls. It was then applied to the stabilisers
these were cemented on the end of each wing. The wing fences in the shape required for spraying the second colour of Tamiya
were attached to the top of the wings before assembling and fitting XF-64 Red Brown. All other areas were covered using Tamiya
the front slats. The canopy centreline seam was sanded off and, tape to avoid over spray. This was left to dry before removing
through various sanding grits, was brought to a polished finish the tack worms and re applying in a similar fashion for the third
ready for masking off. The masked canopy was fixed to the fuselage and final colour for which Tamiya XF81 Dark Green was used.
using Gators Grip PVA glue and allowed to harden. Trailing edges were masked off and coated with XA1126 Dark
The main fuselage assembly was now ready for some Blue Grey. Finally the stabilizers were gloss coated in preparation
paintwork. The canopy area was sprayed black before application for decaling. The Afterburner decals performed very well to the
of a panel line pre-shade. All panel lines on the model were system and looked very convincing in the end. Wing flaps were
sprayed using NATO Black. The underside colour was sprayed assembled and actuators fixed to each side before painting with
on to the model first. For this Xtracrylix XA1136 Light Compass the appropriate upper and lower colours. These were then fitted
Grey was used. Mixed 50:50 with Tamiya thinners this was to the rear of each wing. The exhausts were sprayed with Bolt
sprayed over the pre-shade in light coats leaving a hint of the Gun Metal and Mithril Silver was employed for the band between
pre-shade to show through. The underside colour was sealed exhaust and fuselage. All remaining aerials and sensors were
using Alclad Klear Gloss and left to dry completely before attached to the model using a small dot of PVA adhesive. Once
masking off could be completed for the top colour, which was completed a final sealing gloss coat was applied to the model.
Xtracrylix XA1135 Dark Compass Grey. This was sprayed in Finally a dark wash was applied over the entire model leaving the
light coats allowing some of the pre-shade to show through. The wash in all panel lines and detail areas once dry and wiped away.
top colour was also sealed with clear gloss. Wheel wells were The wing pods were assembled and consisted of a centre line
masked off and sprayed white before applying a dark wash and ALQ-99 Low band JP combined with two ALQ-99 High Band JP’s
allowing them to dry before wiping the wash away with a cotton occupying the centre pylon on each wing. Inner wing pylons were
bud leaving some wash in the detail. Gear legs were assembled fitted with a 480-gallon external fuel tank each whilst the outer
and the mould centre seams removed by gently scraping with pylons were given an AGM-88E AARGM each. Shoulder pylons
the edge of a scalpel blade. These were sprayed white and gloss were fitted with an AIM-120 AMRAAM on each side.

Shadowhawks Growler
Mario Serelle details the 1:72 Hasegawa EA-18G
W
ith the introduction of the F/A-18E/F ‘Super Hornet’ as
the main US Navy’s multi-role platform, it was just a
matter of time before they adapted this new airframe to
the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) mission, to replace
the aging fleet of Grumman EA-6B Prowler. The second operational
unit to receive the new EA-18G was VAQ-141 ‘Shadowhawks’, who
after twenty-two years of operations with the EA-6B, retired their EA-18G ‘Growler’
last Prowler in April 2009. In July 2011 the ‘Shadowhawks’ deployed Manufacturer: Hasegawa
to the Middle East aboard the USS George W Bush, and conducted Scale: 1:72
the first ever-combat operations with the ‘Growler’, supporting both Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Operation ‘New Dawn’ and Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’. This build Kit Number: 01983
represents the unit’s colourful CAG bird, ‘Shadowhawk 500’. Also Used:
Eduard SS415 - EA-18G Growler Interior
True Details 72409 - SJU-17/A Ejection Seats
58 Chapter 6
The 1:72 Hasegawa EA-18G Growler is everything you would can tanks, five ECM pods and all the landing gear parts for painting,
expect from this manufacturer, nicely engraved panel lines and which is a little time consuming!
details, a great overall shape and a cockpit with decals to replicate Now I was ready to start painting my ‘Growler’. As this is a
consoles and panel instruments. Basically it’s the well know and carrier based aircraft, and like it or not, will need some suitable
respected F/A-18E/F Super Hornet kit, but with all extra bits weathering, and that is the biggest challenge when modelling
and bobs for the EA-18G. An Eduard coloured etch set and resin a naval aircraft. Painting started with a panel line pre-shading
ejection seats were also added to transform the basic interior into followed, by thin streaks all over the wings and fuselage, using
an outstanding cockpit. A.MIG-1617 Black Blue Wash and some A.MIG-211 Medium Grey and A.MIG-209 Light Grey layers,
Light Grey dry-brushing gave depth to the etched details, and some separated by salt masks, to create a disruptive base for the
careful painting highlighted SJU-17 NACES ejection seats. camouflage colours. The Black spine detail was painted first using
The kit went together beautifully, with only the only issue being A.MIG-032 Satin Black and masked off once dry. I then turned to
an unwanted seam right in the middle of the upper part of the the A.MIG-7201 US Navy Colours Set to apply the usual ‘tactical
engine air intakes that required some CA glue and careful sanding. greys’. Working with much thinned paint; several thin coats were
I left vertical and horizontal tail planes off for ease of painting, applied to preserve the pre-shading effects. Next a little White and
and be sure to pay attention to the instructions and remember to some A.MIG-1602 Deep Grey was applied to selected panels and
close off the gun muzzle and open all holes for wing pylons and access doors to enhance the contrast on some areas. Then more
extra ECM antennas before closing the fuselage and wings halves, thinned coats of the camouflage colours were airbrushed on to
as a number features are specific features to the EA-18G version. blend-in these added effects.
You also need to prepare four missiles, seven pylons; a pair of drop

I then painted all of the external stores and finally the wheel
wells and landing gear parts were painted with A.MIG-050 White.
The exhausts were painted using the A.MIG-7420 Engines and
Exhausts Set and a final coat of Gloss sealed everything in. The
kit supplied decals were designed and printed by Cartograf, and
were very easy to apply and in no time I was ready for some final
weathering. To highlight recessed details and give a little more
effect to the airframe, A.MIG-1203 Streaking Grime over the
entire model and any excess was was removed with a paper towel,
following the airflow to create some small streaking effects. Next
more A.MIG-1617 Blue Black Wash was used on the landing gear
parts and wheel wells, and this same wash was applied to all small
grilles on the airframe, especially around the engine area.
Raw Umber artist’s oil paint was used to depict hydraulic oil
leaking on the rear fuselage and close to the wing fold mechanism.
This effect is more subtle on the Super Hornets, than on the Legacy
Hornets, which are regularly seen full of leaking fluids, especially
over the wings. Fitting the landing gear and external stores was
a precise exercise, as was the canopy opening mechanism, but as
always patience pays dividends.
This was a lovely build, in a truly eye-catching painting scheme,
which I hope you enjoy!
60 Chapter 6
Felix the Super Bug!
Mario Serelle builds the 1:72 Revell F/A-18E in the colours of VFA-31
T
he VA-31 the ‘Tomcatters’ was the last US Navy squadron to
fly the legendary F-14 Tomcat, transitioning to the single-seat
F/A-18E Super Hornet in late 2006, and being redesignated
VFA-31. Keeping the US Navy tradition of painting Squadron
Commanders’ aircraft in hi-vis markings, ‘Tomcatter AJ100’
received an eye-catching ‘Tomcat-esque’ featuring a black spine
and tail with a large ‘Felix the Cat’ artwork on the fins. So armed
with the 1:72 Revell kit and the TwoBobs Rockin’ Rhinos #4 decal
sheet, ‘Felix 100’ was my target! F/A-18E Super Hornet
The cockpit is nicely detailed and a NACES ejection seat. This Manufacturer: Revell
was painted in Grey FS 36231 with Black details using Ammo of Scale: 1:72
MIG colours, followed by a Dark Grey wash to add some depth Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
effects. In my opinion the ejection seat is the most outstanding part Kit Number: 04298
of the cockpit, especially in 1:72, and for this reason I decided to Also Used:
True Details #72409 NACES SJU-17 Ejection Seat
replace the kit part by a more detailed True Details item. This was
Two Bobs #72-066 F/A-18E Rockin’ Rhinos #4
first painted in Black and dry-brushed in Neutral Grey to highlight
all the details. Next the cushions and harness were brush painted
according to reference photos and then a Dark Brown wash was

applied to add depth and some dirt to the part. Finally, all details filled and sanded smooth with wet and dry sandpaper. The vertical
were highlighted with lighter shades of their base colours for a tails attachment is perfect and that allowed me to put them aside
better contrast and visual effects of the tiny details. until later in the process, to make painting quite easier.
Most of the kit parts went together without any problems with I really enjoy seeing aircraft with asymmetric load out, quite
only some light sanding needed to clean the seams. The air intakes usual on Hornets, and I couldn’t let this chance slip away. After
interior were built and painted as sub-assemblies before inserting studying a lot of photographs I decided to load my Super Bug
them into the lower fuselage, but the openings were not large with two 1000lbs bombs, supplied in the kit, and a single AGM-
enough to insert the already built intakes without forcing them. 65 Maverick, which came from a Hasegawa weapons set. The
So I trimmed off some plastic around the openings using a rotor Hasegawa weapons set only supplies triple-rail LAU-88/A launchers
tool, and that allowed me to easily slide the air intakes in position. and so one was cut and modified to look like a LAU-117/A single-
Despite the good fit all around, some putty was required to fill some rail. US Navy bombs are covered with a protective coating, which
seams that did not match the real aircraft panels, such as the areas gives a rough surface to the body. I’ve never seen this in any scale
below the LERXs and flaps being the most noticeable. These were model so far, but decided to replicate the effect on my 1000lbs
62 Chapter 6
bombs. First I brushed Mr. Surfacer 1000 over the bomb body and Gloss I was ready for the decals. TwoBobs products are among the
then start tapping it with an old stiff brush while the product dried. best I’ve used, but many of the decals are supplied as two-part
The technique worked! Maybe a little too rough for 1:72, but after pieces, including all Red trimming of the Modex number and VFA-
some painting and weathering the effect looked good enough! 31 art on the spine. The final result is great, but you need a lot of
Before moving to the paint stage, the area around the cockpit patience to properly align the Red and Black parts. Another coat of
was painted in Rubber Black and dry-brushed with Neutral Grey Aqua Gloss and Felix 100 was ready to get dirty!
to highlight all nice details present in that area. The windscreen Weathering started with an Ammo of MIG Blue Grey Panel Line
was then masked and glued into place before the entire model Wash in all recessed details, and wheel wells, grilles, air vents and
was cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and all small parts attached to air scoops received an Ammo of MIG Black Night Wash for a better
toothpick for easy handling. depth effect. I started to add some dirt and grime on the engine
The ‘Black-Base’ technique is great to depict weathered aircraft area by applying Streaking Grime with fine brush around the access
and the process began with an airbrushed coat of Ammo of MIG panels and, after it was dry to touch, I blended it with a soft clean
Black Primer, and to ensure a smooth surface, the primer received brush. This same technique was used around access panels on the
a polishing with 6000 and 12000 polishing cloths. A Light Grey nose area, but this time using Rainmarks Effects, trying to simulate
‘marbling’ coat was applied, followed by Red Brown and Black on some paint touch ups commonly seem on embarked aircraft. The
the areas where I wanted to apply some heavier weathering later. I process was repeated around the wing fold mechanism, here using
decided to paint the Red stripe along the fuselage spine, and this the darker Streaking Grime for Panzer Grey.
started with a Grey base, and then followed by the final Red colour. One common feature is dirt accumulated on the wings and
The Red was then masked with a thin tape and the Black, which fuselage, where ground crews walk during inspections and
covers the spine and tails was added. Ammo of MIG camouflage maintenance. Splattering Streaking Grime over the wings and
colours FS36375 and FS36320 were then applied, highly thinned fuselage created this effect, and after removing any excess and
and airbrushed in various fine layers to preserve the ‘marbling’ letting it dry for a few minutes, I blended it in with a soft clean
effect underneath it. All details were painted next, including some brush. The same product was used now to create some leaking
antennas, wingtip rails, nosecone, and gun muzzle and trailing on the underside of the model, around the engine area. After a
edges. To mask the toothed edges of the main landing gear wells I Semi-Gloss coat, a black watercolour pencil was used to replicate
used small square pieces of tape, and whilst this was a consuming some boot scuffs on the wings and fuselage, complementing the
process, it saved me from any touch ups. Streaking Grime, and don’t forget to apply some weathering on
In preparation for the weathering to come, I airbrushed some the external stores, especially the drop tanks. The final assembly
Red Brown stains on the rear fuselage, and the outboard pylons, was flawless with everything fitting perfectly; just take some time
not used on my build, were secured in place with Blu-Tac and their to adjust the canopy opening to the correct degree, as its actuator
edges also received a coat of Red Brown. This technique created seems to be too short.
a ‘shadow of dirt’ around the pylon, which can typically be seen Revell’s Super Hornet is a nice kit, easy to build, well detailed for
when these are not installed. After applying a coat of Alclad Aqua a 1:72 model and good enough for a ‘straight-from-the-box’ project.

Bounty Hunter
Danumurthi Mahendra builds the 1:72 Hasegawa F-18F in the low-vis markings of VF-2
I
can only describe Hasegawa’s F/A-18F Super Hornet (kit no.
07238) as awesome! The quality of the moulding and the level
of detail is excellent: the cockpit and wheel bays have nice
raised details; the canopy can be displayed open or closed; the
wings’ moveable parts can be positioned either neutral or drooped.
However, the cockpit lacked any sidewall details, and the ejector
seats were adequate, but a resin upgrade would be way better. I
started the construction by working on the interior. The intakes
were cleverly designed so that I could work on the mouths and F/A-18F Super Hornet
trunks separately, and they were filled and sanded, primed and Manufacturer: Hasegawa
painted White and Mr. Color 308 Grey, respectively. The cockpit Scale: 1:72
was painted as per instruction using XF-54 Dark Sea Grey and Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
dry-brushed to get the details out. I used the kit’s ejector seats and Kit Number: 07238
added harnesses using masking tape and bits of styrene.

As I shifted my work to the front and lower part of the fuselage,
I found this section needing some major filling and sanding. The surface details, the biggest challenge is keeping many of them
wing roots were not excluded from gaps either!. With such intricate intact as much as possible. The key is being careful when aligning
and gluing the parts, and this will minimise the need for fillers
and sanding. The kit supplied landing gear consisted of multiple
parts, and these were cleaned and then painted White, and I added
a good coat of gloss before applying decals and some washing.
64 Chapter 6
I used epoxy putty to fill the noticeable gap when I attached the
AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR pod on the port side weapon pylon, and the painted the afterburner cans with MM 1420 Steel and MM 1424
centreline pylon had the same gap issue, however, this time I used Burnt Iron. Hasegawa provided a pair of AIM-9X Sidewinders and
a piece of styrene strip, filled and sanded smooth. I then dry-fitted AIM-120 AMRAAMs, which were masked and painted and given
the six weapon pylons and found out that I needed to enlarge all their appropriate decals. The other weapons, which were a pair of
attachment holes on both wings using a mini drill, and I also set GBU-31 JDAM and AGM-84 Harpoon/SLAM, were obtained from
the wing’s movable surfaces to a drooped position. Hasegawa’s Weapons Set D. I wanted my Super Hornet in low-key
I masked of the relevant parts and then pre-shaded the entire markings with weathering common on current Navy aircraft.
model with flat Black. I sprayed the upper fuselage with Mr. Color So the entire aircraft was sprayed a copious amount of Johnson’s
307 Grey a panel at a time; and I followed that with the lower
fuselage with Mr. Color 308 Grey. I then layered them with a variety
of lighter and darker shades of Grey at different locations, keeping
it random and small. Now it was time to paint the details. I masked
off the areas around the wheel bays with regular tape and Mr.
Sol Neo. I sprayed the interior flat White and edges flat Red, and

‘Future’ to give it the necessary gloss surface for the decals. My
markings selection came from CAM Decals #P4B-013, for a bird
from VFA-2 ‘Bounty Hunters’, and were just excellent to work with.
I used a water-based panel line wash- mixing Sakura Poster
Colour Black and Brown, diluted in water and dishwashing
detergent and applied with a flat brush and any excess removed
with a dry cloth.. I then added a coat of Testors Dullcote, after
which I attached all of the smaller details such as the ladder,
weapons, bay doors, clear canopy, and brush painted the navigation
lights A.MIG.093 Crystal Red. To get the weathering right, I
always look into images of the actual aircraft in their operational
environment, and I use a variety of techniques to replicate the
effects that I wanted. I applied and polished the exhaust cans with
A.MIG.3009 Gun Metal and wanted to show dirt left from boot
marks, so I dusted the upper part of the LERX with A.MIG.3014
Russian Earth. I then added a weathered look to the bombs,
missiles, drop tanks, and lower fuselage area using different
materials, notably spraying X-19 Smoke, and brushed oil stains
using Tamiya Weathering Set D and A.MIG.1409 Fuel Stains, onto
specific areas using a flat brush.
66 Chapter 6
Fancy Fast Eagle
Andy Renshaw builds the 1:48 Hasegawa F/A-18F in VFA-41 ‘Black Aces’ 70th Anniversary CAG scheme
T
he Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet is a case study in design
evolution, as well as strategic positioning within the politics
of defence spending. The Hornet family started off as the
looser to a USAF lightweight fighter competition, with the winner
being the famed F-16, where Northrop’s YF-17 was granted a second
go through the US Navy’s VFAX program. That of course led to
the F/A-18 ‘Legacy’ Hornet. Having used the proven basic design
for several decades, the then McDonnell Douglas expanded on the
elements to not only improve on the Hornet design, but now also Hasegawa 1:48 F/A-18F Super Hornet #07238
fulfill the needed attack role as the USN retired the A-6 and A-7, Fightertown Decals #48078 Super Hornet Ball West Coast
and dealt with the cancelation of the A-12 program. What resulted Royale Resin #R008 Weighted Wheels
was something that still looked like a Hornet, but indeed was a Royal Resin #R010 External Fuel Tank
much larger, more capable aircraft. Plus, by sticking with similar Two Mikes Resin #48010 Seamless Intakes
nomenclature and a proven design, Congress was far more apt to Quickboost #48462 Super Hornet ECS exhaust (late)
Avionix #48022 Block 26 Cockpit Set
approve of funding after the bitter taste of the aborted A-12.
VFA-41 Black Aces, call-sign ‘Fast Eagle’, started life in 1945 at
NAAS Chincoteague with VF-75A ‘Gay Blades’, later redesignated
VF-3B and finally VF-41 in 1948. Though disestablished in
June 1950, the now contiguous VFA-41 was established again
on September 1st 1950 NAS Oceana. VFA-41, now flying out of
NAS Lemoore in California, considered the VF-75A as part of
Cockpit painted up and ready for seats

After an attempt
at using the kits
large spade decal
proved to be more
work than desired,
masking was used
instead.
of aftermarket parts. I went with the latter option as the older

kit was readily available and I planned on using a resin cockpit
anyway. So, with aftermarket in hand, the first order of business
was to fit the cockpit, intakes, and new ECS exhaust to the fuselage
before starting assembly. The Two Mikes Resin intakes and cockpit
are both a drop in fit, with only a little tweaking to get them to fit
with minimal of filler. The Quickboost ECS pipes, while very well
detailed and accurate, require some careful fuselage modifications
their heritage when commemorating 70 years as the ‘Black Aces’. in order for them to look correct. The surrounding panel should fit
To celebrate, one jet, ‘Fast Eagle 100’ was painted up in a very flush; thus a hole must be cut in the fuselage to insert the part. I
attractive, if not almost gaudy, scheme! ‘ I instantly loved the made the hole as close to the part size as possible, and then built
colours and markings and so my next project was born. Though a box under the hole to hold the new resin part. The inside floor of
the Super Hornet entered service in 1999, it was a few years before the box was shimmed until the new resin sit perfectly flush with the
we saw any attempt in 1:48. Italeri was first in line with a semi- fuselage. Any resulting gap after the new ECS pipes were place was
accurate model in 2001, and in 2005, we not only received updated filled and sanded smooth.
(more accurate) kit from Italeri, but also new tools from both Revell Continuing forward, assembly of the kit was straightforward,
and Hasegawa. They each had their hits and misses, but for this though special attention must be taken on the multi-part fuselage.
go around I chose the Hasegawa kit. Being an earlier boxing, it has These kits are notorious for causing many modellers headaches,
features of early block Super Hornets, such as the early style ECS and I found that filler could be minimal in the forward fuselage.
exhaust and early cockpit displays. Building a later block F/A-18F However, the rear near the horizontal stabs needed several
requires either one of the latest Hasegawa boxing’s, or a selection iterations to smooth out, which was followed by rescribing lost
Final assembly has started including

ordnance. Note the AGM-84E, later
removed as the Super Hornet does not
carry this older weapon.
68 Chapter 6
detail. Continuing construction added the wings, pylons, flaps and
other main fuselage details. Be sure the pylons have the correct
outboard angle and the outer stations are canted a few degrees.
A few etched formation light strips were added, as the kit lacks
definition on those. The landing gear was also assembled and
attached, as these would be painted white along with the rest of
the landing gear bays. Once the canopy was masked it was time to
start painting! Close inspection of some photographs of the actual
aircraft showed the standard TPS Grey Scheme under the more
colourful markings. The grey was weathered, though not overly
much. I commenced to painting the two-tone grey using Model
Master Dark and Light Ghost Grey. This grey also serves as a great
primer for the red and black that will follow. Red was next, and
I used Model Master Insignia Red, which matched closely to the
decals. In retrospect, I would try a few other slightly brighter reds,
but since the decal red and paint are not adjoining, the slight shade
variation is not noticeable. The Red was painted after extensively
masking off the spine. Once dry I contemplated the large black
spade on the fuselage. This is provided as a decal; however, I had
my doubts to how this would lay down over the complex curves. I
LGB’s being prepped to
will try anything once, so I gave it a go with the decal and quickly receive the USN fire coating
discovered that it was going to take a lot of work and it wasn’t using textured paint.
quite the right size. Off the decal came, and it was out with the
masking tape. After several hours of careful tape cutting, I had
the ‘spade’ masked-off ready for the Black. Model Master Enamel
was airbrushed on in thin layers, and once dry the masks were
removed. The vertical stabilisers, which remained separate, were
primed with White Automotive Primer, and then sprayed with
Model Master Insignia White. I have found the glossy Insignia
White sprays better than the Flat White by the same brand. Once
painting was complete, acrylic gloss was applied and it was time
for decals!
Decals are from Fightertown, and overall are spot on. However,
there were a few glitches that required a corrective sheet.
Unfortunately, the correction sheet only covers the ‘CAG’ text and
not the mis-sized badges that are located on the tail. However, I
did find some images where the aircraft didn’t carry them, so I over-sprayed on the red, black, and white to give them a slight,
left them off. The other area that the decals failed was on the drop but not too glossy look. Next was to hang some ordnance, so I
tank. The striping supplied is of the same shape and length as on went with some ‘inert marked AIM-9X, and an inert JDAM, and
the fuselage, and this does not work for both shape and length on a GBU. At last, the addition of some Royale Resin wheels and the
the drop tank. So out with more masking and the tank stripe was etched canopy details finished out this build! Needless to say, it
painted using photos as reference. Once the decals were done, really stands out! Thanks to Two Mikes Resin, Royale Resin, and
another coat of acrylic gloss was applied over the whole airframe, Hobbico for the kit samples that were included within the project.
and was then followed by Ammo panel line washes. Once cleaned
up, I airbrushed clear flat keeping it mainly on the TPS Greys, and
applied very sparingly to the color livery. Some semi-gloss was

Walkarounds Appendix 1
The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Key Details
Photos Courtesy of Luc Colin
70 Appendix 1
Walkaround 71
72 Appendix 1
Walkaround 73
74 Appendix 1
Walkaround 75
76 Appendix 1
Walkaround 77
The EA-18G Growler Key Details
Photos Courtesy of Troy Prince
78 Appendix 1
Walkaround 79
80 Appendix 1
VFA-122 F/A-18F ‘Desert Super Hornet’
Photos Courtesy of Paul Bradley
Walkaround 81
82 Appendix 1
Walkaround 83
WEAPONRY
1
•1 The SHAred
Reconnaissance
Pod - SHARP
•2 Preparing to fit the
Joint Stand Off
Weapon - JSOW
•3 An AGM-88
HARM missile
being fitted
•4 The HARM fit on
the Super Hornet
2 3
84 Appendix 1
5 6
•5 Buddy Refuelling
7 8 Pod
•6 BDU-48 Practice
Bomb
•7 Working on the
launch pylon
•8 Maverick Missile
•9 Feeding the
cannon
•10 Looking upward
at the cannon
mechanism
9 10
Walkaround 85
•11 SLAM-ER
Missile 11
•12 The seeker head
of a Paveway
bomb
•13 GBU-38 JDAM
Munition
•14 AMI-9X
Sidewinder
•15 AMRAAM
Missiles being
removed
•16 Crew hoist a
JDAM onto the
wing pylon
•17 Fitting a practice
LGB round
12 13
14 15
16 17
86 Appendix 1
Kitography Appendix 2
Kits
MANUFACTURER SCALE DESCRIPTION
Dragon DN4615 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet and Grumman EA-18G Growler
Hasegawa HA00981 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C & Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet ‘VFA-27 Royal Maces History’
Hasegawa HA01963 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet Centennial Combo
Hasegawa HA01988 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-147
Hasegawa HA02000 1:72 Boeing EA-18G Growler ‘VAQ-135 Black Ravens’
Hasegawa HA02010 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-32
Hasegawa HA02101 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-41
Hasegawa HA02111 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet ‘Chippy Ho 2014’
Hasegawa HA02160 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-11 Red Rippers CAG
Hasegawa HA02165 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-102 Anniversary
Hasegawa HA02175 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-115 Eagles CAG 2015
Hasegawa HA02178 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-27 Royal Maces CAG 2015
Hasegawa HA02184 1:72 Grumman F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-41 Black Aces 70th Anniversary
Hasegawa HAE18 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
Hasegawa HAE19 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Hasegawa HAE38 1:72 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Hasegawa HAPT038 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-103 and VFA-102
Hasegawa HAPT039 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Hasegawa HAPT052 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Hasegawa HASP341 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Hasegawa HASP343 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet
Hasegawa HASP344 1:72 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Italeri IT0083 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Italeri IT2716 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Revell RV3997 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Revell RV4864 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
Revell RV4994 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet
Trumpeter TU03204 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Trumpeter TU03206 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Trumpeter TU03428 1:144 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Accessories
Aires AIRE2177 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzle - Open
Aires AIRE4279 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Cockpit
Aires AIRE4281 1:48 SJU-17 Ejection Seat for Boeing F/A-18/18F Super Hornet
Aires AIRE4282 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet Wheel Bay
Aires AIRE4283 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet Electronics Bay
Aires AIRE4295 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Cockpit Set
Aires AIRE4635 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Aires AIRE4636 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Closed
Aires AIRE4639 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles -Open
Aires AIRE4640 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Aires AIRE4641 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Closed
Aires AIRE4644 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Open
Aires AIRE7282 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet Cockpit Set
Aires AIRE7288 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Cockpit Set
Aires AIRE7325 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Closed
Aires AIRE7327 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Open
Avionix BLC48009 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Avionix BLC48022 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Block 26 Detail Set
Dream Model DM0509 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Dream Model DM2016 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Dream Model DM2017 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard Big-Ed EBIG4858 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard Big-Ed EBIG4869 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Exterior Detail Set
Eduard ED32272 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Armament
Eduard ED32288 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler Exterior Set
Eduard ED32297 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Seat Belts
Eduard ED32300 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler Armament
Kitography 87
Accessories
Eduard ED32687 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Interior
Eduard ED32688 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Avionics Bay
Eduard ED32697 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet Chaff and Flare Dispensers
Eduard ED32714 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Interior Detail Set
Eduard ED32718 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler Avionics Bay
Eduard ED32733 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler Seat Belts
Eduard ED32735 1:32 Boeing EA-18G interior Growler Set
Eduard ED33102 1:32 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interior Set
Eduard ED48377 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Exterior Detail Set
Eduard ED48520 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Exterior Detail Set
Eduard ED48522 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Ejection Seat
Eduard ED49032 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Ejection Seat
Eduard ED49033 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Interior Detail Set
Eduard ED49353 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard ED49585 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interior Set
Eduard ED49588 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Ejector Seat
Eduard ED49615 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interir Set
Eduard ED49636 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler NACES Ejector Seat
Eduard ED73226 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard ED73415 1:72 Boeing EA-18G Growler Detail Set
Eduard EDCX133 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDCX234 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDCX370 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDEX067 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDEX187 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDFE334 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Interior Detail Set
Eduard EDFE344 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Interior Detail Set
Eduard EDFE353 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDFE585 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interior Set
Eduard EDFE615 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interior Set
Eduard EDJX106 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDJX132 1:48 Boeing EA-18G Growler
Eduard EDSS329 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Detail Set
Eduard EDSS415 1:72 Boeing EA-18G Growler Interior Set
Eduard EDSS488 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Vinyl Mask Set
Furball Aero-Design FMS007 1:48 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet Vinyl Mask Set
Furball Aero-Design FMS008 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Weighted Wheels
Mastercasters MST32056 1:32 Exhaust nozzles for Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F and Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet/Growler
Olimp ORA3210 1:32 Re-released! FA-18E/F, Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet, Growler Exhaust Nozzles
Olimp ORA3210 1:32 Exhaust Nozzles for F/A-18E / F/A-18F and Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet/Growler
Olimp ORA4810 1:48 Exhaust Nozzles for FA/EA-18E / EA-18F / Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet/Growler
Olimp ORA4810 1:48 Re-released! FA-18E/F, Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet, Growler Exhaust Nozzles
Olimp ORA7210 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Control Lever
Olimp ORA7210 1:72 Exhaust Nozzles for FA/EA-18E / EA-18F / Boeing EA-18G Super Hornet/Growler
Quickboost (by Aires) QB32104 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet ECS Pipes - Late
Quickboost (by Aires) QB32130 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet ECS Vents - Early
Quickboost (by Aires) QB32131 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet ECS Pipes - Early
Quickboost (by Aires) QB48460 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F Super Hornet ECS Pipes - Late
Quickboost (by Aires) QB48462 1:48 F/A-18 Super Hornet ECS Exhaust
RES-IM RESIM7202 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18E/F/G Super Hornet Wingfold Set
RES-IM RESIM7209 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E, F/A-18F, EA-18G Flap Down Set
RES-IM RESIM7229 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet - Detail Set
RES-IM RESIMP7220 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E/ F/A-18F Landing Gear Super Hornet
Scale Aircraft Conversions SAC48005 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E / F/A-18F / F/A-18G Super Hornet Landing Gear
Scale Aircraft Conversions SAC72063 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-81 Sunliners
88 Appendix II
Decals
Astra Decals ASD4815 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-102
Astra Decals ASD7215 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Flying Eagles
Authentic Decals AD7238 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-102
CAM CAM48095 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Black Aces USS Nimitz 2003
CAM PRO CAMP4813 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
CAM PRO CAMP4815 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
CAM PRO CAMP4816 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet CAG and Anniversary Jets
Fightertown FT32010 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornets VX-23 Salty Dogs Strike Test
Fightertown FT48018 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet VX-9 Vampires
Fightertown FT48030 1:48 Boeing F-18F Super Hornet VFA-11 Red Rippers
Fightertown FT48032 1:48 VFA-143 Pukin Dogs Boeing Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Fightertown FT48043 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Superhornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler
Fightertown FT48054 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E/F RHINO CAGs
Fightertown FT48054 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Superhornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler.
Fightertown FT48056 1:48 CONA Naval Centennial
Fightertown FT48068 1:48 Test Triumvirate. VX-9
Fightertown FT48076 1:48 Back in stock! Boeing F/A-18E/F
Fightertown FT48077 1:48 Best of the Best Topgun F/A-18E/ F/A-18F EA-18G
Fightertown FT48078 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Fightertown FT48081 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets
Furball Aero-Design FBD32001 1:32 Boeing F/A-18E/F/A-18F Super Hornets
Furball Aero-Design FBD48023 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E/F/A-18F Super Hornets
Furball Aero-Design FBD48024 1:48 Air Wing All Stars – Super Hornets Part III
Furball Aero-Design FBD48048 1:48 Growler Anthology
Furball Aero-Design FBD48049 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Furball Aero-Design FBD48054 1:48 Growler Anthology Part II
Microscale SS481015 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
Microscale SS481053 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornets
Microscale SS481088 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-213 Black Lions
Microscale SS481101 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets
Microscale SS481150 1:48 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C Hornets
Microscale SS481159 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornet
Microscale SS481164 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet VX-9 Vampires
Microscale SS72905 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet 100 Years Naval Aviation VFA-122
Superscale SS481047 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets
Superscale SS481157 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
Superscale SS481226 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E F/A-18F Super Hornets
Syhart Decal SY48070 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet 100 Years Naval Aviation VFA-122
Syhart Decal SY72070 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Part II
Two Bobs TB48103 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Two Bobs TB48162 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet All-American Kestrel VFA-137
Two Bobs TB48196 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Fighting 41
Two Bobs TB48197 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Lemoore’s VFA-115
Two Bobs TB48205 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VX-9 Vampires
Two Bobs TB48211 1:48 Grumman EA-6B Prowler/Boeing EA-18G Prowler VAQ-132
Two Bobs TB48229 1:48 Grumman EA-6B/Boeing EA-18G Growler
Two Bobs TB48241 1:48 Boeing EA-18G VAQ-130 Zappers
Two Bobs TB72083 1:48 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Fighting 41
Two Bobs TB72084 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet VX-9 Vampires
Two Bobs TB72096 1:72 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Superbugs CAGs and Skippers
Two Bobs TB72097 1:72 Boeing EA-18G
Yellowhammer YH48034 1:48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Kitography 89
Technical Appendix 3
Diagrams
90 Appendix III
Diagrams 91
92 Appendix III
Diagrams 93
94 Appendix III
Diagrams 95
96 Appendix III
Diagrams 97
Super Hornet Squadrons Appendix 4
VFA-41 ‘Black Aces’
SUPER HORNET SQUADRONS

US NAVY
F/A-18E/F
PACIFIC FLEET
VFA-2 ‘Bounty Hunters’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-14 ‘Tophatters’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-22 ‘Fighting Redcocks’ (F/A-18F)[159]
VFA-25 ‘Fist of the Fleet’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-27 ‘Royal Maces’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-41 ‘Black Aces’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-86 ‘Sidewinders’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-94 ‘Mighty Shrikes’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-97 ‘Warhawks’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-102 ‘Diamondbacks’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-113 ‘Stingers’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-115 ‘Eagles’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-122 ‘Flying Eagles’ (‘ F/A-18E/F)
VFA-137 ‘Kestrels’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-146 ‘Blue Diamonds’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-151 ‘Vigilantes’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-154 ‘Black Knights’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-192 ‘Golden Dragons’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-102 ‘Diamondbacks’
VFA-195 ‘Dambusters’” (F/A-18E)
ATLANTIC FLEET
VFA-11 ‘Red Rippers’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-31 ‘Tomcatters’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-32 ‘Swordsmen’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-34 ‘Blue Blasters’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-81 ‘Sunliners’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-87 ‘Golden Warriors’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-105 ‘Gunslingers’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-106 ‘Gladiators’ (F/A-E/F)
VFA-136 ‘Knighthawks’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-143 ‘Pukin’ Dogs’ (F/A-18E)
VFA-211 ‘Fighting Checkmates’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-213 ‘Black Lions’ (F/A-18F)
VFA-27 ‘Royal
Maces’
VFA-32
‘Swordsmen’
CREDIT: Dan Tekker
98 Appendix IV
SUPER HORNET SQUADRONS
TEST AND EVALUATION UNITS
VX-9 Vampires (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, operates F/A-18E/F and other aircraft)
VX-23 Salty Dogs (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, operates F/A-18E/F and other aircraft)
VX-31 Dust Devils (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, operates F/A-18E/F and other aircraft)
NSAWC (Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center), F/A-18F, also operates other aircraft
EA-18G
VAQ-129 ‘Vikings’
VAQ-130 ‘Zappers’
VAQ-131 ‘Lancers
VFA-25 ‘Fist of the Fleet’ VAQ-132 ‘Scorpions’
VAQ-133 ‘Wizards’
VAQ-134 ‘Garudas’
VAQ-135 ‘Black Ravens’
VAQ-136 ‘Gauntlets’
VAQ-137 ‘Rooks’
VAQ-138 ‘Yellow Jackets’
VAQ-139 ‘Cougars’
VAQ-140 ‘Patriots’
VAQ-141 ‘Shadowhawks’
VAQ-142 ‘Grey Wolves’
VAQ-209 ‘Star Warriors’
VX-9 ‘Vampires’
NSAWC Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE

VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’ No.6 Squadron
VFA-2 ‘Bounty
Hunters’
VFA-105
‘Gunslingers’
Super Hornet Squadrons 99

Modellers Datafile Scaled Down #7
All rights reserved. No part of this publication The photographs that populate this book have been
The Boeing F/A-18E & may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or provided through official sources, from the author’s
own collection and via third parties from around the
F/A-18F Super Hornet by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopy, recording, or any other information
world. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the
correct permissions have been obtained to use these
by Andy Evans storage and retrieval system, without permission images, the publishers cannot accept responsibility
in writing from the publishers. for any ommissions beyond their control. Should any
Produced by HobbyZone Limited persons feel that their copyright has been inadvertantly
breached, this is wholly accidental and in such a case,
under licence from SAM Publications. ISBN 978-0-9955460-7-3 please email the Series Editor at:
21 Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9BJ, [email protected]
United Kingdom Series Editor Andy Evans
Designed by Jonathan Phillips
© 2017 SAM Publications Typeset by SAM Publications,
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© Andrew Borovyh – Colour Side Profiles United Kingdom
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THE BOEING F/A-18E/F

SUPER HORNET and EA-18G Growler

45 Colour Side Views

Development – Building on Success 5

The YF-17 was

F/A-18F ‘F1’ aircraft

Development – Building on Success 7

The Super Hornet

Development – Building on Success 9

Development – Building on Success 11

re-designed engine air intake of trapezoidal configuration replaced

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 15

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 17

Note the ATFLIR

One of the ‘Black

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 21

Note the variety of

Well armed and

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 23

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 25

The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet 27

Fuel spills away

most of the unexpended ordnance could be recovered aboard the carrier

The EA-18G Growler 31

A good plan view

The EA-18G Growler 35

The RAAF will

The EA-18G Growler 37

The EA-18G Growler 39

Advanced Super Hornet 41

The F/A-18F fleet include

Heading out for

Boeing F/A-18F 166873/100 of VFA-154

Boeing F/A-18F 166977/100 of VFA-2

Boeing F/A-18F 166628/100 of VFA-11

Boeing F/A-18E 168910/300 of VFA-87

Boeing F/A-18F 166620/200 of VFA-103

Colour Side Profiles 45

Boeing F/A-18E 166437/00 of VFA-147

Boeing F/A-18F 166797/200 of VFA-211

Boeing F/A-18F 166663/200 of VFA-213

Boeing F/A-18E 166957/111 of VX-9

46 Colour Side Profiles

Boeing F/A-18E 166423/100 of VFA-143

Boeing F/A-18F 166915/100 of VFA-102

Boeing F/A-18E 166434/200 of VFA-14

Boeing F/A-18F 166795/100 of VFA-22

Colour Side Profiles 47

Boeing F/A-18E 166776/100 of VFA-31

Boeing F/A-18E 166830/200 of VFA-81

Boeing F/A-18E 165873/300 of VFA-146

Boeing F/A-18F 166842/100 of VFA-41

48 Colour Side Profiles

Splintered and Digitised Kestrel

Modelling The Super Hornet 51

Modelling The Super Hornet 53

Modelling The Super Hornet 55

Modelling The Super Hornet 57

Modelling The Super Hornet 59