Academy 12432 F/A-18C Hornet 'Chippy Ho' 1/72 Scale Plastic Model Kit

The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the United States Navy and Marine Corps premiere strike fighter, and fills a variety of roles; air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), close and deep air support (CAS/DAS), interdiction, and forward air control (FAC).

The Hornet has exceptional maneuverability and superior turn characteristics, allowing it to hold its own against any adversary. The first "C" version was delivered in September 1987, and the ability to perform all-weather night attack missions was added in later production lots. "C" models are equipped with a pod-mounted AN/AAR-50 thermal imaging navigation set, AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk FLIR targeting pod, and Cat's Eyes pilot night vision goggles.

F/A-18 C also carries ground-mapping radar with a Doppler sharpening mode to generate ground maps in poor visibility conditions. The C's arsenal includes the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), and AGM-65E/F Maverick air-to-ground missiles. Our kit also features laser-guided bombs, 330 gallon auxiliary fuel tank, and other refinements.

The F/A-18 Hornet is one awesome attack fighter. On the first day of Operation Desert Storm, two Hornets engaged and shot down two Iraqi MiGs, then proceeded to deliver eight 2,000 lb bombs to their targets. Throughout the Gulf War, Hornets operated around the clock, setting records daily in reliability, survivability, and ton-miles of ordnance delivered. The F/A-18 also serves the Air Forces of Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland.

• Marking of "Chippy Ho!" 2009 version by Cartograf included
  
• Fully engraved panel lines and rivet details
  
• Highly-detailed cockpit and landing gear
  
• External Armament Includes:
  
• 4 x AIM-9L/M Sidewinders
  
• 2 x AIM-7M Sparrow
  
• 4 x GMU-12 Paveway II
  
• 1 x AAS-38 Laser Designator pod
  
• 1 x ASQ-173 Laser Detector/Tracker pod
  
• 1 x AAR-50 TINS pod
  
• 2 x Vertical Ejector Racks (VERS)
  
• 4 x External Fuel Tanks

Maintenance and Weapons Stencils

Markings for three aircraft:

• F/A-18C, BuNo 164899, VFA-196, NF/400, USS George Washington, Apr 2009, 'Chippy Ho!'
  
• F/A-18C, BuNo 164899, VFA-196, NF/400, USS George Washington, Nov 2009, 'Chippy Ho!'
  
• F/A-18C, BuNo 164966, VFA-196, NF/401, USS George Washington, 2009, skipper's aircraft

Models are supplied unpainted and some assembly may be required.