Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5121 F/A-18E Blue Angels 165666, US Navy, 2021

True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.

Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.

Optional armament provided.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figure included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem- seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

In 2018 the USN decided to supply the “Blue Angels” with early production Super Hornets. In 2012 F/A-18E 15666 c/n 1517/E020 was assigned to VFA-106 “Gladiators” as AD-114 and painted in the squadrons 1967 Vietnam War A-4 Skyhawk colors. In 2018 the aircraft was transferred to VFA-146 “Blue Diamonds” as NH-302. In 2020 165666 became part of the USN “Blue Angels” Demo Team. In January 2021 the aircraft wore the number 3 but in February the number was changed to 1. 2021 will mark the 75th Anniversary of the “Blue Angels”.

Metal die cast model. Model is second hand in original box with all parts included. Box has some wear.