Hobby Master 1/72 F/A-18E Super Hornet 166776, VFA-31 'Tomcatters', Mediterranean Sea, 2011

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 May 2011 VFA-31 “Tomcatters” sailed on the USS George H.W. Bush during its maiden deployment that would take them to the Mediterranean Sea to conduct operations with the 5th and 6th Fleet. Once arriving VFA-31 began flying in support of “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This meant numerous ground attacks against ISS targets in Syria as well as peaceful intercepts of MiG-29s. The USS George H.W. Bush and the “Tomcatters” returned to NAS Oceana. VFA-31 is the second oldest USN squadron and uses the callsign “Felix”.

Role:	Multi-role attack and fighter
Crew:	F/A-18E x 1 / F/A-18F x 2
Dimensions
Length:	60.3 ft (18.5 m)
Height:	16 ft (4.87 m)
Wingspan:	44.9 ft (13.68 m)
Weight:	Maximum Gross Take-off 66,000 lbs (29,932 kg)
Performance
Power Plant:	2 x F414-GE-400 turbofans
Thrust (Static):	22,000 lbs (9,977kg) per engine
Ceiling :	50,000 ft +
Speed:	Mach 1.8 +
Armament:	1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon (internal)
Possible External Payload:	AIM 7 Sparrow
	AIM-120 AMRAAM
	Harpoon
	HARM
	Shrike
	SLAM
	SLAM-ER
	Walleye
	Maverick
	JSOW (Joint-Stand-Off Weapon)
	JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions
	An assortment of bombs, mines and rocket