DXM Decals DXM51-7164: F-18E/F Super Hornet

Hard to believe that the Super Hornet is now fairly close to being the out-going naval fighter for the USN. There is a big push to supplant it with the F-35C, however, the Navy brass is not all that pleased with the Lightning II. It has a lower speed, less range, and a lower payload that the Super Hornet. It is also more maintenance intensive and still has software issues that reduces the full mission capabilities of the aircraft. It is for all these reasons that the Navy has not purchased the type in the numbers that would provide a full replacement of the F-18E/F and why the production lines of the Super Bug have not yet closed.

This sheet provides nine options for the F-18E and F-18F from two units;  VFA-22 and VFC-13. Three of them are for VFA-22 with two representing the CAG bird at different times (2022 and 2023) while the third is a standard line bird. The cag birds have large unit markings on the outside of the fins with the inside red along with a red section on the spine. They also have full color markings. These are all F-18Fs.

The other unit is VFC-13 which is an aggressor unit. There are four F-18Es and a pair of F-18Fs. One each is in standard camouflage. Two of the E models and one of the Fs have a dark grey upper surface and black radome to simulate the Chinese Su-27/30. In fact, three of the six optionst carry Chinese insignia on the upper fin and on the wings. The two standard camo planes carry no wing insignia at all. There is one E that has a multi-grey 'Flanker' wraparound camouflage scheme with a Russian star on the fin and no wing insignia.

The instructions provide both left and right side placement information along with upper and lower views. Frankly, the images are very small when it comes to determining exactly where various decals are placed so some sort of magnifier will be needed. Each aircraft option is provided a color guide for paints that are in FS 595 references. The sheet itself is nicely printed though quite crowded and it appears that there are enough on there to do a majority of the options provided. The cover sheet lists pretty much all the 1/72 kits available for these aircraft. Note that some of these kits, such as the Hasegawa offering, only provide the early ECS vents on the upper rear fuselage, so it would be wise to have a photo or two of your choice to verify what is there on the real deal if that is important.

August 2026

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