Royal Navy Hornet FG.3, 890NAS HMS Queen Elizabeth-March 1999

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well I finally finished the Monogram Hornet I started last month!  I've been doing a little bit on it here and there, but havent really sat at the bench to work for an extended period until yesterday when I decided I wasn't going to start my OWGB build until this was done.  It's still not 100% finished, as it is not yet loaded.  The green/gray camo centerline tank ended up not fitting once the gear doors were on, so no sure what will end p on the centerline now.  I never really finalized the wing loadout either, but that can wait.  It's done enough to sit on the shelf now so I can move on to my one-weeker.

I havent really written out a thorough backstory either, but it would go something like this:

By the early 1980s the Royal Navy began considering a replacement for  the Phantom and Buccaneer aircraft operating from the fleet carriers HMS Elizabeth and HMS Duke of Edinburgh.  The most obvious candidate was the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 being developed for the US Navy.  The Hornet would enable the RN to replace two types with a single multi-role fighter, resulting in considerable savings in operating costs.  While the RN desperately wanted to capabilities offered by Hornets, they were reluctant to shoulder the costs of bringing a new type into service at a time when the defense budget was already under pressure because of problems with the Tornado ADV, which was running behind schedule and well over budget. 

Ironically the RN's salvation came as a result of these same problems.  After more and more problems arose with the initial batch of Tornado F.2 interceptors the RAF began looking at alternatives.  This ultimately led to the TornadoF.3 being cancelled and a two-seat variant of the Hornet being ordered for the RAF.   With the RAF taking 165 Hornets, a common type for the RN became a very attractive option.  The Royal Navy enedup up with 68 Hornets, split 48/20 between single and two-seaters. 

Even though the cancellation of Tornado F.3 was initially seen as a blow to British industry, there was a silver lining to this cloud.  Not only was a license to build the F/A-18 granted to BAe, the USAF also ordered 112 Tornado GR.1 derivitives to replace the F-4G in the SEAD role.  (Interest from the US led to the Tornado also being adopted by Japan and South Korea.) 



The first RN F/A-18Ks entered service as the Hornet FRS.1 with 767 NAS in August 1984.  The 'K' was virtually identical to the US 'A' model, but with modified British avionics and weapons capability.  The first operational squadron, 892 NAS, re-equipped with the Hornet in July 1985, and the second, 899 NAS, five months later.  In total five front line Naval Air Squadrons operated the Hornet; 892, 899, 803, 890, and 800. 

The FRS.1 was a true multi-role fighter, operating in air-defense, nuclear strike, conventional strike, CAS, maritime strike, and reconnaisance roles.  Weapons carried included Sidewinder, Skyflash, Sea Eagle, Martel, Shrike, laser-guided and dumb bombs, BL755 CBUs, Matra rocket pods, and the WE.177 freefall tactical nuclear bomb. 



In mid-1995 and upgrade program began to bring the aircraft to FG.3 standard.  This upgrade program brought the aircraft to a standard comparable to the US F/A-18C.  New weapons capability for the FG.3 included ASRAAM, AMRAAM, and ALARM.  A second minor upgrade program in 2001 added Maverick and Storm Shadow to the Hornet's armoury. 



This Hornet FG.5 is shown in March 1999 during the Kosovo Campaign.  It is in the colours of 890NAS serving aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.


This was a fairly fun build, as Monogram kits usually are for me.  I dont get too wrapped up in making them look perfect, I just accept the raised lines and occasional dodgy fit and have fun with it.  I bought this kit on sale at Hobby Lobby for $5 so it's cheap entertainment!  It was painted with Tamiya rattlecans (my favorite way to get a quick, easy finish).  The intakes had no trunking or detail, so instead of worrying about it I made FOD guards our of blu-tac putty.  Decals for the aircraft tail number and "L" & "R", along with strips of tape for handles add some detail to them.  The AMRAAMs are the really nice ones from a Revell Super Hornet, and the ASRAAMs came from an RoG Typhoon. 

Pics arent the best quality, but eventually when I arm it up properly I'll take more.

[Eddie M.]

Very well done! Looks like the real deal to me.
    Eddie

[Spey_Phantom]

i have to agree, to looks very convincing; great work m8 

[Ed S]

Nice Hornet. 

Ed

[Howard of Effingham]

  very nice, AD! 

thanks for the PM. sorry i got the airline wrong!

trevor

[Damian2]

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love this bug!!

D

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Nicely done, Nick. Great clean build.

Ian

[John Howling Mouse]

Extreeeeemely classy, AD.   

[Gary]

I really like the colours. The demarkation of the hump is sweet. Nicely done

[Sisko]

Beautiful build mate!!!

Really nice scheme and great finish!

[Rafael]

Elegant, Nick. Simply elegant

Rafa

[ytown2010]

that is killer!!!!

[Brian da Basher]

That's one very sharp, clean build Nick! I always enjoy seeing your latest!

Brian da Basher