Meng has released details and CAD images of their second "Super Hornet" in the form of the two-seater F version in 1/48th scale. We take a look at some of the features of the Super Hornet & the CAD drawings with the kit features in our preview...
Preview: Meng's new 48th scale Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
Boeing F / A-18F "Super Hornet"
From Meng Models
Product No #LS-013
1/48th scale
Release in: July 2021
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the newest highly capable, affordable and available tactical aircraft in U.S. Navy inventory. The Super Hornet is the backbone of the U.S. Navy carrier air wing now and for decades to come.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-18 Super Hornets ferry across the Pacific to Australia.
As the latest F/A-18 variants, the F/A-18E/F aircraft have greatly improved electronic equipment and extended combat radius. To perform the missions like air superiority and ground attack and complex tasks including reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the F/A-18F’s rear cockpit weapon systems operator has new advanced cockpit displays and control system. The pilot and the weapon systems operator can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground tasks at the same time. Before the next generation of carrier-based fighters enter service, the F/A-18F will still be the main combat aircraft of the U.S. aircraft carrier battle group.
Boeing has licensed MENG to create their new two-seater kit no#LS-013 Boeing F/A-18F "Super Hornet" fighter in 1/48th scale. The length of this kit after completion is 377.9 mm, and the wingspan is 273.4 mm.
The wingtips for this kit can be posed up or down...
Flaps and slats can be installed in retracted or deployed positions. and the horizontal stabilizers and rudders are movable.
The two-seat variant’s cockpit and cockpit interior equipment are precisely replicated.
The specially designed pluggable main pylons allow the easy change of weapons; this kit includes AGM-65 air-to-ground missiles and GBU-16 laser-guided bombs.
Two U.S. Navy pilot figures featuring realistic gestures and finely replicated suit and equipment are included. Two flight helmet options are provided.
7.This kit includes optional exterior parts.
In the LS-013 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet model kit, Meng has prepared 4 different paint schemes from different units.
The paint scheme A is for the aircraft of CAPT Fredrick Luchtman, commander Carrier Air Wing Seven. According to the custom of the U.S. Navy, the commander’s aircraft uses the high-visibility paint scheme of the VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers” Strike Fighter Squadron. The unit’s mascot is a set of skull and crossbones of the Ens Jack Ernie of VF-17. “Passing of the bones” from the outgoing skipper to the incoming skipper is a Jolly Rogers tradition. “Ens Jack Erine Bones” markings are also painted on this aircraft.
The paint scheme B is for the aircraft of CAPT O.B Woods, commander Carrier Air Wing Nine, and weapon systems officer CAPT T.M. Downing, DCAG in 2006. This is a high-visibility paint scheme from the VFA-41 “Black Aces” Strike Fighter Squadron.
The paint scheme C is a low-visibility scheme for an aircraft from the VFA-41 “Black Aces” Strike Fighter Squadron of Carrier Air Wing Nine. The crew members are pilot CDR Dell Bull and weapon systems officer CDR Greg Keithley. This squadron was created in 1950 and has won awards like the Wade McClusky Award.
The paint scheme D is for an aircraft of the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program which is more popularly known as TOP GUN. The school was established in 1969 for the air combat training of the U.S. Navy pilots. Only outstanding pilots can be selected to be trained in the school and the instructors are experts in air combat. That’s all for the paint schemes included in the LS-013 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet kit.
This new kit is still in development of course. You can see more info on this kit and others from Meng on the Meng Models Website...