The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm M61 rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. Additional fuel can be carried in up to five external fuel tanks and the aircraft can be configured as an airborne tanker by adding an external air refueling system. Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997, after the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing the previous month.

The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was retired in 2006; the Super Hornet serves alongside the original Hornet. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has operated the F/A-18A as its main fighter since 1984, ordered the F/A-18F in 2007 to replace its aging F-111C fleet. RAAF Super Hornets entered service in December 2010.

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a Royal Australian Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-18A Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to No.75 Squadron, then deployed to RAAF Base Tindal, NSW, Australia, during 2021. #HA3561

F/A-18A Hornet A21-018 now sports a bold black-and-white livery, the last commemorative paint scheme that Boeing Defence Australia will apply to a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A/B Hornet ahead of No.75 Squadron's transition to the F-35A Lightning II next year.

The paint scheme depicts the centerpiece of No.75 Squadron's crest, the magpie.

Reflecting on what it meant to be a member of No.75 Squadron, Warrant Officer Graham Docking, the unit's warrant officer engineering, said it provided a sense of importance and feeling involved in "something bigger than yourself".

"It's about a sense of purpose and creating experiences and memories that will last a lifetime," Warrant Officer Docking said.

"When you're posted to 75 Squadron, it's not about being in just another squadron; you're a magpie."

The squadron adopted the magpie as it is a belligerent defendant of its young with the courage to attack, symbolic of the squadron's wartime activities since World War II, and it embodies the squadron's motto which is to Seek and Strike.

"The aircraft has been painted predominately black; with flecks of white on its wings and tail and a pronounced white patch on the back of its neck," Warrant Officer Docking said.

"It's bold and when you look at it; you know it is a No.75 Squadron aircraft. That reflects the pride of our personnel, and it's for everyone who has ever served at No.75 Squadron."