HORNET LEGACY 1/48

The F/A-18C Hornet entered U.S. Navy service in the first half of the 1980s as an airborne multi-role aircraft capable of performing both air combat and strike missions - all in a single sortie. Replacing older types such as the A-7 Corsair II, it quickly became the backbone of the US Navy and USMC's deck aviation. The "Legacy Hornet" designation for the C/D variants became established only after the advent of the much larger F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to distinguish the two types from each other. The F/A-18C has proven itself in a wide range of conflicts, from operations over Libya and Iraq to Bosnia and Afghanistan. It is powered by a pair of General Electric F404 turbofan engines, has a top speed in excess of Mach 1.8, and is capable of operating from aircraft carriers thanks to a rugged design suited to catapult launches and brake cable landings. During the 2010s, the US Navy gradually transitioned to Super Hornets and F-35Cs; active naval squadrons flying the F/A-18C have ceased operations, and the USMC plans to complete the transition by 2030.

The Eduard HORNET LEGACY 1/48 kit is a limited edition built on plastic parts from Kinetic. The package is over-featured: pre-painted etched parts enhance the detail of the cockpit, landing gear and other surfaces without the need for hand painting, the included masks facilitate accurate masking of the glazing and landing gear shrouds, and the resin components - wheels and seat with integral straps - bring a level of detail that standard plastic parts do not achieve. Eduardo's decals cover 8 different marking options, so the modeller can choose a specific machine and unit to match their interest - whether it's the Cold War colour scheme or the later grey paintwork of the combat deployment era. The package does not include the paints or adhesives needed for assembly.