Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3564 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet "NASA" N852NA/BuNo 161217, California 2012.

1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 6.25" Wingspan & 9.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation). Designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) and Northrop (now part of Northrop Grumman), the F/A-18 was designed to be a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, and excellent aerodynamic characteristics, with the ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. The aircraft can perform fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. Primary Role: Multirole Fighter.

F/A-18B 161217 c/n 0016 (B003) was the third pre-production two-seat TF-18A built that later became known as F/A-18Bs. F/A-18B 161217 had been assigned to VFA-125 ôRough Raidersö but in 1994 it was assigned to the NASA Dryden Research Center, later known as the Neil Armstrong Research Center. In July 2001 161217 moved to NASA Edwards AFB with the registration of N852NA. 161217 acted as a chase aircraft equipped with cameras that could send live video back to engineers who could watch what was happening in real time.