What To Do With A F/A-18F ?

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

Well!!

I usually don't do 1:48 planes!! But a friend of mine is going to give me an entire Super Hornet model, with a lot of roundels in order to do a "What-if"!!!

So, I have to think about what to do with it.  
I already plan to do a cool colored splinter scheme, so don't worry, you wont have a boring grey scheme (and so the non-israeli option have a chance to win!!   )...

Now, I have to think about the most realistic backstory, and that's why I need you!!
What country could be interested in the near futur by a Super Hornet??

I admit that I will prefer a "futuristic" solution, but I let the "French option" if anyone have a good backstory.


Anyway, I only put here the solutions I could do with the decals I actually have in my stach (except the RAN option, but I just can't forget it!! If someone know where I could have the decals??)



Hope you enjoy my propositions. If not, don't hesitate to post your own!!

[philp]

There have been some great profiles on the site but I would do one in the Swedish splinter scheme.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I voted other simply because I could so easily see these being flown by American 'advisors'/'technicians'/'volunteers'/'observers' , with IRAQI co-pilots, much like the A-1E's, T-28's & B-57's of a previous era.

Maybe 2009/2010 ?

Who can say  

Ian

[Shasper]

Rep. of China (Taiwan) AF

Shas B)

[Gervasius]

Voted for IDF/AF. No suprise there...

[Keith Diamond]

When I build a Whif of an American built plane, I run through a list of my usual suspects.

1. Philippines
2. Canada
3. Israel

Of those three, I can't see the Philippines with Super Hornets.  I can definitely see Canada with Super Hornets for obvious reasons.  I could see Israel with Super Hornets if they didn't already have Strike Eagles.  

[Eddie M.]

I hope you find a suitable solution. I sometimes look to the extra decal drawer I have for answers. I'm getting ready to start my Super Hornet as a deactivated F-14 unit, VF-1 Wolfpack
   Eddie  

[Geoff]

JASDF

[david sMiGielski]

How about "other-Republic of Kurdistan?"

[Matt Wiser]

Kuwait has been talking about either swapping their C/Ds for the E/F for some time, or as an alternate, buying 24 Fs to reactivate the old Mirage F-1 squadrons (18 and 61). They were Boeing's first hope for an export sale, but the RAAF beat them to it.

Malaysia is another possiblity; their 8 Ds are used for Maritime Attack. A deal kicked around has the Ds being swapped for Fs. (Which would give them the range to reach the Spratly Islands if that hornet's nest boils over)

Then there's India, the E/F might be Boeing's entry in the IAF fighter competition (with the Gripen, Typhoon, Su-35, MiG-35, Rafale, and F-16 already entered).  

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

Well... A lot of very good ideas here!!

I particulary enjoy the JSDAF, Kuwait, Canadian and Finish propositions.
But I admit that I'm anable to do so, because I don't have the decals for that (well, I have finish decals, but they will go on a Su-27 I suppose)...

According to the possibilities I proposed, it appears that the Israeli solution is for the moment the better one.
I admit that having a SH in Israeli colors could be very good, but for the backstory, it would be much more difficult to do something reallistic, because they already have F-16 and F-15...

For the Argentinian navy, I jsut thought about a possible backstory:
Brazil bought a French carrier in 2000. Argentina just bought two old light heli-carrier amphibious ships to France too...
What if Argentina buy a super-carrier to the American?? I don't have the backstory as I don't chose this solution for the moment, but if I do, I could imagine something with a refited Kennedy or Constellation and some Super Etendard and Super Hornet wings on board...  

[Jennings]

I voted "other" - pour gasoline on it and burn it

J

[Shasper]

Slightly better, build it as a Growler©  


(For the uninitiated, a growler in navy jargon is when you go take a crap   )


Shas B)

[Sentinel Chicken]

Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) in the distinctive camoflauge scheme they use on the IDF Ching-Kuo fighters.

[AeroplaneDriver]

I voted 'other' with two ideas:

1-The easy way out-RN-with all tech transfer issues worked out the RN/RAF are set to operate the F-35 from the HMS Improbable class carriers.  Unforseen technical and budget issues lead to the cancellation of the "B" & "C" models in 2009 with the RN left scrambling for an air wing.  Enter the Hornet FG.1

2-If you want to really hunt for decals-RNZAF-With increased tensions in the Pacific and a growing need for a defensive/offensive capability New Zealand seeks a new fighter.  The F-18F is selected since Australia operates the type.  Costs are reduced by combining training and maintenance functions with the Aussies.  12 F-18Fs ordered in 2009.