The FA18 Super Hornet is a twinengine multirole fighter notable for its agility speed and elegant design It is a popular among aviation fans and RC builders alike If you are an RC aircraft fan wishing to reproduce this legendary jet constructing it using 6mm Depron foam is a good alternative Depron is lightweight easy to cut and shape and sturdy enough to handle moderatespeed flight—making it suitable for EDF jets and scale modelers
Why Choose the FA18 Super Hornet
The Super Hornet stands out for its twin vertical stabilizers sharp wing shape and intricate fuselage Its large wings and balanced form make it stable in the air while still allowing for outstanding aerobatics As an RC model it offers a nice balance of scale look and flight capability whether powered by EDF Electric Ducted Fan units or a basic pusher prop arrangement
Materials Why 6mm Depron Foam
6mm Depron foam is the most widely used important in scratchbuilt RC aircraft It is
Lightweight decreases the wing putting enhancing flying time and handling
Strong and flexible Offers good longevity for novice and intermediate pilots
Easy to cut and glue Speeds up the construction process
Smooth surface Perfect for painting and detailing
For an FA18 construction the 6mm thickness offers appropriate strength for both the airframe and control surfaces while keeping the plane light enough for electric propulsion
Design and Construction Tips
Design and Construction Tips 1 Blueprint and Dimensions
Start with a scaled blueprint or design of the FA18 You may find free designs online or make your own using CAD tools A wingspan of 700mm to 1000mm is perfect for park flying and EDF compatibility
2 Fuselage and Wing Layout Use a central fuselage spine and bulkheads for strength The main wing and stabilizers should be fashioned out of flat 6mm Depron sheets and strengthened with carbon rods or flat spars to avoid bending during flight
3 Jet Intakes and Exhausts
For realism you may form small jet intakes from Depron or foamboard and place an EDF unit generally 64mm to 70mm inside the rear fuselage If you prefer simplicity a rearmounted pusher motor is also an option
4 Vertical Stabilizers and Canards
The twin tails of the FA18 are one of its distinguishing characteristics These may be created from cut Depron sheets reinforced with BBQ skewers or light wood strips for increased strength
5 Landing Gear Optional
Depending on your construction you may make it bellylanding or install basic fixed landing gear utilizing lightweight wire and foam wheels
Electronics Setup
EDF or Brushless Motor 64mm EDF or a 2200KV brushless motor with a 6×4 prop for pusher arrangement
ESC 40A to 60A depending on your power system
download FA18 Super Hornet RC Model Using 6mm Depron plans pdf here
Battery 3S 2200mAh LiPo for moderate thrust and decent flying time
Servos 9g mini servos for elevator aileron and rudder control
Receiver 4 to 6 channel depending on the control arrangement
Flight Performance
A wellbuilt FA18 Depron jet can deliver
Stable flying and simple handling
Sharp roll and pitch response
Moderate speed with 3S configuration or high speed with 4S and a strong EDF
Impressive low passes and twists owing to its delta wing stability
It is advisable to maiden the model on a quiet day and launch by hand or utilize a smooth surface for takeoff if gear is equipped Use expo settings on your transmitter to smooth out control input for improved handling
Final Thoughts
Building an RC FA18 Super Hornet from 6mm Depron is a wonderful undertaking for any model aircraft enthusiast It mixes the exhilaration of flying a jet with the inventiveness of scratchbuilding Whether you are searching for a truetoscale model or a performancefocused flier Depron makes it accessible and inexpensive With little work and careful design your FA18 will be turning heads at the local field in no time