Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - Limited Edition Plastic 1/72 Scale Model
Shipping within Australia is included OR Worldwide for a nominal fee as my gift to you.
F/A-18A Hornet A21-18 was delivered to the RAAF on April 4th 1987 and served with No.3 Squad initially. It was built as a Block 17, A model Hornet.
One of the last F/A-18 A/B Classic Hornet aircraft to grace the skies over the Northern Territory is this distinctive "Magpie" Hornet.
This is the last commemorative paint scheme that Boeing Defence Australia applied to a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A/B Hornet ahead of No. 75 Squadron’s transition to the F-35A Lightning II. it is your opportunity to apply the paint scheme that is the centerpiece of No. 75 Squadron’s crest, the "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".
It’s bold and when you look at it; you know it is a No. 75 Squadron aircraft.
Here are some example display options and key features:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285360554919
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built.
The Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) has operated McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft since 1984 purchasing 75 "A" and "B" variants. The Hornets entered service with the RAAF between 1984 and 1990, and 71 remained in operation as of 2017. The other four Hornets were destroyed in flying accidents during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
About RAAF No. 75 SQN (source Wikipedia)
No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) fighter unit
based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The squadron was
formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre
of World War II operating P-40 Kittyhawks. It was disbanded in 1948, but
reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the Cold War.
The squadron was based at Malta from 1952 to 1954, flying de
Havilland Vampires, and Malaysia from 1968 to 1983, with Dassault
Mirage IIIs, before returning to Australia.
The squadron was re-equipped with F/A-18 Hornet fighters and
moved to RAAF Base Tindal in 1988. It was placed on alert to support the
Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping deployment to East Timor in
1999, and saw combat in 2003 as part of the Australian contribution to the
invasion of IRAQ.
Mission Profile Australia [source RAAF and Wikipedia]
About the F/A-18A/B - The F/A-18A (single seat) and F/A-18B (twin seat) Hornets are multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. They are an integral part of Australia's air combat capability.
Based at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, the F/A-18A/B Hornets have been operated by:
In recent years, the Hornets have participated in a range of exercises including Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia, Exercise Red Flag in Alaska, and Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory.
The fleet have undergone major electronic upgrades to ensure effective operations. Air Force's F/A-18A/B Hornets will be replaced with 72 advanced F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 2018.
The F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornets can undertake:
This Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - Limited Edition Plastic 1/72 Scale Model has sizing of:
Length 23.7 cms, approx 9.25 inches. Wingspan approx 16.2 cms, approx 6.3 inches.
No. of Parts - 76 pieces
Shipping
Space and Aviation Firsts is an International Store having sold into more than 40 countries. Shipping within Australia is included, and Worldwide for a small nominal fee as my gift to you.
This is a great buy and offering for International, UK, US, European and Asia Pacific Collectors.
Conclusion
The Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - Limited Edition Plastic 1/72 Scale premium quality model is a must have example of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft History.
Make this Fantastic Limited Edition Model yours!
COLLECTORS' HINTS: 'Space and Aviation Firsts' © 2017-2023.
Collectors' Hint - What are my choices with Plastic Model purchasing and collecting?
It is the nature of the Space and Aviation market that Space and Aircraft Model Kits of important space or aviation vehicles tend to be limited in production or alternatively sell very quickly. Two different examples are the premier Apollo 11 kits or the P-51 Mustang.
Many model kits are sometimes 're-launched' on significant anniversaries.
Typically, the two key choices when purchasing plastic model kits are:
i) Make the Model or
ii) Preserve the Model 'pristine' in its box and with all original plans and parts for the future.
The former choice i) provides the enjoyment and satisfaction of model making, more so when they are rare or unusual models.
The latter choice ii) can sometimes result in a purchase worth thousands of dollars in later years or decades. There are hundreds of examples.
Of course a 3rd choice is to benefit from both options and purchase two models!
In a similar way, I suggest when an opportunity presents itself, make the decision for your model collection and act!
Limited Editions like this are also exceptional examples!
Photograph Credits: 'Space and Aviation Firsts' © 2020-2023.
Photo 1 - The cover of the Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - Limited Edition Plastic 1/72 Scale Model Box
Photo 2 - The real Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - on touchdown [courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force not included]
Photo 3 - The array of Parts; Plans and Decals of the Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron - Limited Edition Plastic 1/72 Scale Model
Photo 4 - The real and beautiful Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] F/A-18A Hornet "Magpie" A21-18 No. 75 Squadron in flight [courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force not included]
Please order now and don't miss out - as these Jets are always in short supply....
Please remember to 'click' Visit Store in the top right corner of this listing to see the many other great offerings inside 'Space and Aviation Firsts'
'A Passion in Life is a Life well Lived!'
Kind Regards,
<