Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3545F/A-18B Hornet "Classic Hornet 1985-2019" A21-116, 2 OCU, RAAF, Williamtown
General Background
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 production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 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 Aircraft
The RAAF 2 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) role is to train military pilots how to handle and use whatever the present day aircraft is in use. 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of the F/A-18B Hornet in service with the RAAF 2 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and at the end of 2019 will be retired in preparation for the F-35. To honor the service and final year of the Hornet F/A-18B received a special Tiger paint scheme. This aircraft was delivered in 1988 and has been with 2 OCU since 1995.
