The F-18D is more than just a two-seat trainer that it appears to be. Instead, the D model has been optimized for the all-weather night attack role. Unlike the F-18B trainer, the F-18D does not have controls in the rear cockpit. Instead the aircraft has FLIR, TINS, and other systems that allow it to perform its mission. As such, the F-18D is an exclusive mount for US Marine Corps squadrons, replacing the A-6E Intruder in those roles. Though not able to carry the amount of ordnance and without the unrefuelled range of the older Intruder, the F-18D is faster and, thanks to its newer electronics systems, just as precise as the A-6. Having commonality in many parts with the single seat F-18 is also a major benefit in these days of dwindling aircraft types and increasing costs.

The F-18D has proven itself to be a very capable performer in the last decade with wars and conflicts in the Near East and the Balkans, where the Hornet has been called to action. New F-18Ds are still being produced, despite the newer F-18E and F-18F currently being developed. The F-18F is specifically designed to replace the F-14 as a long range fleet interceptor so is not scheduled to be a replacement for the F-18D.

Hasegawa first brought out its F/A-18A / TF-18B kit back in the mid 1980s when the Hornet was new in the fleet. Over the years, Hasegawa has updated the kit by adding separate sprues to include any of the modifications. They did so with the F-18C and have done so as well with the F-18D. The sprue marked 'F-18C/D' include new fins, a new nose gear door, some 'lumps and bumps' and a new 4-piece pilot. To do the F-18D you get the F-18B sprue with the components for the second cockpit. You'll have to fill the control stick hole on the back seat.

The rest of the kit is the same as it has been for years. Panel lines are engraved and the cockpit is relatively complete with seat, stick and instrument panel. Again, instruments for the panel and consoles are provided in decal form. There is a two piece canopy that can be displayed open or closed as you desire. A boarding ladder is include should you wish to install it. underfuselage stores are either the twin sensor pods or Sparrow missiles and a centerline fuel tank. For an F-18D you'll want to install the pods. Underwing you have four hardpoints. The inner ones carry fuel tanks and the outer ones are bomb racks. No bombs are supplied, so you'll have to buy the weapons set for these or get them from another source.

Instructions are excellent as we have come to expect from Hasegawa. There are marking for two aircraft. Both are painted in FS 36320 over FS 36375 grey as is so common with Naval aircraft at this time. The two units are VMFA-224, coded BM (for Beaufort Marines) from July of 1999. This aircraft has very nice tiger stripes on the rudder and Lerex as shown on the box art. The other is from November 1998 and is from VMFA-533, coded ED in the inner tail but coded BM on the upper outside fin tip.

I have built a couple of these kits (though in the F-18A and B guise) and have found them to be very nice models. Now I am sure that there are a number of glitches in the kit concerning things like proper antennas and such, but these are bound to happen, especially when doing a kit based on an older kit. There are a number of aftermarket sheets available for this kit if you don't like the kit supplied markings. You can even build it as an older F-18B should you wish. I would also bet that there is at least one etched brass update set that will take care of the differences between the kit supplied parts and the real plane

Review kit courtesy of Marco Polo Importers. Thanks for your support.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that averages over 2,400 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.