The pre-official announcement thread with more info can be seen here:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...91-Eflite-F18D

See more info below and on the product pages via this link:

https://www.horizonhobby.com/SearchD...ain=&pageView=

Introduction
Designed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and Northrop, the F/A-18 Hornet is used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as both a fighter and an attack platform. Air forces of several other nations fly the F-18 as well. This replica has been modeled after the F/A-18D two-seat variant, operated primarily by the U.S. Marine Corps in night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) [FAC(A)] roles. The trim and color scheme are taken from the U.S. Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 — the “Bats” — based in Iwakuni, Japan. An all-new design for experienced RC pilots, the E-flite® F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF provides an exceptional flying experience highlighted by an abundance of Extra Scale details and functional scale features including factory-installed LED lights, full-flying stabs, operational flaps and more!

Overview
The E-flite® F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF features an all-new design with the size, scale details, functional features and performance to deliver an unmatched flying experience. With 6S LiPo power its V2 12-blade 80mm fan, high-RPM brushless inrunner motor and 100A ESC deliver fantastic performance with virtually instantaneous throttle response. This power system also provides better performance and longer flight times than the 6S-compatible power systems used in larger models — plus it offers a turbine-like sound! An abundance of Extra Scale details including molded-in panel lines and hatches, removable ordnance and drop tanks, a pilot figure and more take the appearance to another level. Functional Extra Scale features include LED navigation lights, full-flying stabs and operational flaps, plus retracts and sequenced gear doors. It’s also equipped with the most scale-like landing gear of any F-18 EDF model yet, and the shock-absorbing, trailing-link struts are painted white for an even more realistic appearance. Constructed of durable, fully-molded EPO material, no glue is required for assembly and it can be ready to fly in less time than it takes to charge a battery!

Exclusive Technologies
This is the first high-performance F-18 Hornet model equipped with exclusive Spektrum™ AS3X® and SAFE® Select technologies. AS3X works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence to deliver a locked-in feel that makes it seem like you're flying a much larger airplane. Optional-use SAFE Select offers pitch and bank angle limits along with automatic self-leveling that can be turned on and off at the flip of a switch, making this an easier to fly Hornet than there's ever been before! And if you don't want to enable the SAFE Select features, simply bind the receiver normally and only AS3X will be active.

High-Performance EDF
The V2 12-blade 80mm fan, high-RPM brushless inrunner motor and 100-amp ESC combine with your 6S 4000–7000mAh 30+C LiPo battery to deliver great vertical performance and a fantastic speed range with virtually instantaneous throttle response. This power system also delivers better performance and longer flight times than the 6S-compatible power systems used in larger models. But what makes the experience truly rewarding is the fantastic sound it produces - it's almost like a real turbine.

Extra Scale Details
The F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF features an accurate outline and an abundance of Extra Scale details including molded-in panel lines and hatches, painted landing gear, removable ordnance and drop tanks - more details than you typically find on similar class and smaller models.

Functional Extra Scale Features
Factory-installed LED lights, full-flying stabs, operational flaps and control surfaces with pocket hinges - even main gear and sequenced nose gear doors - are functional Extra Scale features that take your experience to another level.

Capable Gear
The steerable nose gear with dual wheels and the rotating main gear feature reliable, factory-installed electric retracts equipped with durable metal components including Extra Scale painted trailing-link, shock-absorbing struts. It's the most scale-like landing gear installed on an F-18 EDF model yet!

Durable Precision
Construction with fully molded EPO material makes it possible to replicate complex detail and shapes in a lightweight yet durable form. The result is an outstanding scale appearance that's easy to maintain and delivers the best possible flight experience. The factory-installed metal-geared servos with ball-link equipped linkages deliver crisp and precise control at every speed.

Easy Assembly
No glue is required for assembly and you can have the F-18 ready to fly in less time than it takes to charge a battery! The stabs plus the two-piece wing bolt into place and can easily be removed for convenient storage and transport.

Unique Trim Scheme
The factory-applied paint and decal finish pays tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats” squadron, while providing excellent visibility and a model you'll be proud to show off everywhere you go.

Bind-N-Fly® Completion Level Advantage
Already own a Spektrum™ transmitter? Bind-N-Fly (BNF) aircraft make getting into the air quickly and with the best control experience possible easier than ever. They come out of the box with the power system, servos and a Spektrum 2.4GHz receiver installed so all you need to do is bind the receiver to a compatible transmitter, finish any final assembly and fly!

This Bind-N-Fly Basic model is equipped with a Spektrum 2.4GHz DSMX® receiver featuring AS3X® (Artificial Stabilization–3-aXis) technology that works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence so you enjoy a sense of stability and precision that makes it feel like you're flying a much larger, expertly tuned aircraft.

If this is your first model of its type, or you want an extra margin of safety while familiarizing yourself with the airplane, you can enable the optional-use SAFE® Select flight envelope protection technology built into the receiver. No programming is required. Simply change up the binding sequence as directed in the manual.

With SAFE Select enabled, you get:

Pitch and Bank Angle Limits
• These envelope limits keep the airplane from rolling or pitching upside down. They also prevent excessive climb or dive angles.

Automatic Self-Leveling
• The airplane instantly returns to and holds level flight when the sticks are released and in the center position. It’s also helpful for keeping the wings level during takeoffs/launches and landings.

Easy Switch Assignment—No Programming Required
• The simple procedure for assigning a transmitter switch to turn SAFE Select features on and off doesn't require any programming and takes just a few seconds.

If you don’t want to enable the SAFE Select features, just bind the receiver normally and it will function like a standard AS3X receiver.

Plug-N-Play® Completion Level
This Plug-N-Play (PNP) model comes out of the box with a factory-installed power system and servos that are ready to connect to the compatible receiver of your choice (sold separately). Simply install the receiver, finish any final assembly and fly!

Key Features
• The best handling high-performance F-18 EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) jet model yet
• Scale replica of the iconic aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and other forces
• Extra Scale details including removable ordnance and tanks, painted landing gear, molded-in panel lines and more
• Functional Extra Scale features including LED lights, full-flying stabs, flaps, main and nose gear doors
• V2 12-blade 80mm fan delivers excellent top speed and vertical performance plus turbine-like sound
• Factory-installed, high-power 6S-compatible brushless inrunner motor and 100-amp ESC
• Fits a wide range of 6S batteries from 4000-7000mAh to deliver class-leading flight times
• Spektrum™ AR636 6-channel receiver with industry-leading 2.4GHz DSMX® technology (BNF Basic version only)
• Easier to fly with innovative and optional-use SAFE® Select flight envelope protection (BNF Basic version only)
• The unmatched stability and locked-in feel of exclusive AS3X® technology (BNF Basic version only)
• Ten factory-installed metal-geared servos with ball-link equipped linkages
• Electric retracts with scale painted shock-absorbing, trailing-link struts
• No glue required for assembly and can be ready to fly in less time than it takes to charge a battery
• Two-piece wing that bolts into place and a magnetically secured nose cone
• Convenient top hatch with clear canopy, cockpit detail and a pilot figure
• Factory-applied VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats” squadron finish
• Extremely durable, fully molded EPO airframe


Specifications
Wingspan: 38.5 in (980 mm)
Overall Length: 53 in (1350 mm)
Flying Weight: 5.4 lb (2.4 kg)
Motor: Brushless Inrunner (installed)
Speed Control: 100A Brushless ESC (installed)
Servos: (10) Metal-Geared (installed)
Radio: Full-Range 6-7+ Channel DSMX®/DSM2® (sold separately)
Receiver: Spektrum™ AR636 with AS3X® and SAFE® Select Technologies (installed; required for PNP version)
Battery: 6S 22.2V 4000-7000+mAh 30+C LiPo with EC5™ or IC5™ Connector (sold separately)
Flaps: Yes
Retracts: Yes

Needed to Complete
• Full-range 6-7+ channel Spektrum™ DSMX®/DSM2® compatible transmitter (6+ channel transmitter/receiver for PNP version)
• 6S 22.2V 4000–7000mAh 30+C LiPo with EC5™ or IC5™ Connector
• Compatible LiPo charger

E-flite® F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF BNF Basic & PNP Jet (3 min 11 sec)

Live Discussion: E-flite® F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF (45 min 16 sec)

New E flite F-18 - 80mm - Highly detailed electric ducted fan EDF (Part 1) (4 min 6 sec)

New E flite F-18 - 80mm - Highly detailed electric ducted fan EDF (Part 2) (5 min 5 sec)

See more info on the product pages via this link:

https://www.horizonhobby.com/SearchD...ain=&pageView=

PNP version (EFL3975) is $439.99 and the BNF Basic version (EFL3950) is $469.99. These are already on the way to us now and will be arriving/shipping in the US/EU around the middle of October

It looks fantastic. Those last two images look like 1/48 static models.

I'm not a Hornet fan as I've probably made known but I can appreciate a gorgeous model when I see one.

Awesome! I saw at least the navigation lights on wing tips, nice. Priced right too, similar to the new F-4 but perhaps more pilot friendly (performance and price )

For clarification: Is the "Flying Weight: 5.4 lb" including battery or without battery?

I had been contemplating the FW 90mm Blue Angel, but now my mindset is shifting to a Blue Angel #7 repaint using this model instead. I have been so impressed with the EDFs coming from HH as of late. I am feeling like this will be a better purchase for my taste.

-CC

Wow the gear looks awesome.

This is sick. Expensive ($1000AUD) but sick. 80mm is an awesome form factor.

How you reckon she'll handle grass ops Jason? Gear looks robust, got a wheel size you can share with us?

Originally Posted by mshagg2

This is sick. Expensive ($1000AUD) but sick. 80mm is an awesome form factor.

How you reckon she'll handle grass ops Jason? Gear looks robust, got a wheel size you can share with us?

$1000
Hell No. Not Happening

Originally Posted by k2roo

$1000
Hell No. Not Happening

I know the AUD has taken another tumble in the last couple of days, but I got my FW F-18 for $799, this one is cheaper...

Originally Posted by k2roo

$1000
Hell No. Not Happening

It's cheaper to pre order direct from horizon in the US but with shipping works out the same.

Lol that said you might actually get it this year, unlike buying from a local HH dealer. Still waiting on the EC1500 I pre ordered after it was released in, what, August?

This is the best looking Eflite jet they've put out. Very tempting.
Bet it flys great.
Love the livery, some bright colors on the military jets is always helpful.

Outstanding! Great detail, carrier landing gear, good speed, room for a decent sized battery... This one WILL be on the table along with the birthday cake mid October!

Originally Posted by Jason M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwSI_GypzG4

I am blown away by this... the price is a lil high but the detail is nothing short of amazing!! The gear look really good and function really well from what I can see! This is on my list of must haves... just gotta paint the jet nozzles the proper color like I did on my 70mm.... Black is not scale... but I am not gonna complain... this thing is awesome and having the FMS 12 blade 80mm unit is a huge plus! Must have!!