Buying Guide: E-flite F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF Fighter Jet

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Buying Guide: E-flite F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF Fighter Jet
Please visit www.horizonhobby.com/SearchDi... for more information on the E-flite® F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF BNF Basic & PNP Jet.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE, EASY HANDLING HORNET
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!
AN EXCEPTIONAL FLYING EXPERIENCE
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!
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
- Easier to fly with innovative and optional-use SAFE® Select flight envelope protection
- The unmatched stability and locked-in feel of exclusive AS3X® technology
- 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
Needed to Complete:
Full-range 6-7+ channel Spektrum™ DSMX®/DSM2® compatible transmitter
6S 22.2V 4000-7000mAh 30+C LiPo with EC5™ or IC5™ Connector
Compatible LiPo charger
What's in the Box?
(1) E-flite® F-18 80mm EDF with:
(1) 100A Brushless ESC (installed)
(1) Brushless Inrunner Motor (installed)
(10) Metal-Geared Servos (installed)
(1) Spektrum™ AR636 6-Channel Receiver (installed)
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[@wtfmimshag]

Is HH recommending this jet for tarmac only ops? I was kinda hoping a buying guide would let grass ops guys know what's up.

[@HorizonHobbyProducts]

It will work on very short/manicured grass.

[@wtfmimshag]

@@HorizonHobbyProducts Thanks guys. Happy flying!

[@flyyourtomcat]

>>>>>Any change of HH putting out a video of showing the grass ops really soon>>>>>>>So please let us see!!!!! Thanks. And a big thanks from the me in the Netherlands for putting this model out;-)

[@petegeralis7076]

@@HorizonHobbyProducts I was literally googling EDF when you explained it.

[@GBLynden]

On future videos of this plane can you please show the landing gear in more detail? I am looking to know if they are made of all plastic, metal, or a combo.

[@miklosko3355]

😍😲 Wooow. What a beauty! And the size... astonishing! Gorgeous Jet!👍

[@bohan9957]

Finally a model with all flying stabs.

[@FalconWing1813]

Beautiful model. Glad you guy's went with the two seater, looks better in my opinion. I'll work my up to this. Still need to get first EDF. Lol

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

just wish it was the Navy version. I was navy and worked on f18 they should have at least gave you a navy decal set. if i do get it after the inital problems like all their jets have have been worked out. if its not trash like the havok i may get it, rip off the decals and get a set of Navy ones printed. and maybe get the rear stabs painted

[@goldenhide]

Aaaaay, I was 242 while that jet had that scheme. Good recreation!

[@PilotRyanMedia]

I’m all in!!!

[@FLG8r]

it's missing a tail hook ... can't hit the 3 wire without one.

[@matthewjames2649]

You are the meatball... Lol

[@JeffsCustomRC]

Nice jet guys...I think it would do great on the right grass field, especially considering all the other jets that we fly off grass at our field, F16, T45 , and 80mm Sabre just time name a few, all depends in your field and how it’s maintained, and I do love those gear, thanks HH👍🏼💥

[@RnDKorea]

감동입니다. 저 디테일에 실제 비행이 가능하다니..너무 멋지네요. 추락시켜서 망가뜨릴까봐 저는 못하겠지만요..ㅜㅠ

[@canamwing6999]

I hope those decals come off clean!

[@SebastianLong]

I actually did buy this as my first plane. That being said I don't intend to leave the ground with it first. When I first seen this plane, I needed to buy it. Wasn't a want, was a necessity. Lol. Probably won't be flying it for about 2 seasons, possibly more. I want to be sure I'm comfortable flying before taking the F-18 on it's maiden. I also purchased the DX8 transmitter for it and the other planes I intend to get. I've noticed HH has a habit of discontinuing items (Losi LST 3XLe as an example) and I don't want it to disappear before I could get my hands on one. I am looking forward to having the skills enough to make me feel comfortable to fly this plane.

[@FromAboveAndBeyondChannel]

Wow amazing plane. :-)

[@Aereaphotography]

I’m definitely in👌

[@Bellairvideo]

Wonderful jet & great presentation mate. Way too expensive for me in Aus. At well over $1000 with shipping. I will stick to my Viper, F15 & ordered FMS Avanti.

[@matk4731]

Bellairvideo Yer I don’t get why this is sooooo expensive. It’s disappointing.

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

thats only 674 USD shipped do people not get that AUD is worth less than USD? its called exchange rate. I am sure that ANYTHING you buy from the use sounds more expensive. since you guys call them dollars as well. for every 1 USD we would get 1.48 AUD currently. 675 bucks SHIPPED cross ocean is not to bad. when the plane is nearly 500 to begin with. you are just paying overseas oversize shipping internationally so of course you will spend a lot no matter what you buy, unfort shipping cannot be counted as the value for said item. look locally or better shipping options

[@bransondarch8678]

Get it from Modelflight or something, free shipping once they get it in stock.

[@Bellairvideo]

E-Flite EFL3950 F-18 Hornet 80mm EDF BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select PRODUCT CODE: EFL3950 $999.99 Yes indeed .... I will print the money tonight!

[@ratelmike8825]

Excellent Video on my first look into jets with Eflite. Would the new Smart technology be recommended into this aircraft?

[@1stMarine]

Sweet :-) 👍

[@victorrcjets7660]

I'm going to buy this is my very first plane ever! I do like the scale details of the landing gear, the price is a little high but hopefully the quality makes up for it!

[@ManAndMachine23]

Hopefully you'll use it a display model only, otherwise you won't be very happy once you attempt to get into the air sir 😑

[@matk4731]

Victor Shamulus Don’t do it. Not a 1st plane by any stretch. This isn’t even a 1st EDF. Start off with a Apprentices or something similar.

[@victorrcjets7660]

@ryan lemons You Tube Channel!!! sorry guys it was just a bad joke, you guys should check out my KZbin channel I have hundreds of jet videos. They were just saying in the video it's obviously not a beginner aircraft I was just making a bad joke. I am the administrator of the EDF jet Clubhouse on Facebook and the snake on rcgroups.

[@ManAndMachine23]

Victor Shamulus 😂

[@insurancemann1]

This is a great looking jet. The landing gear doesn't seem to have any suspension, worries me a bit.

[@nicos1097]

I would love to see some umx jets like an f35 or f16 again

[@luisotavio6398]

O jato é lindo.

[@brettskinner5824]

please bring to RF9 Also add carbon cub z please

[@ChrissiRC]

Very nice! Has the F18 the same Wheel diameter as the havoc? Greetings Christoph

[@langstonwilliams5530]

I want one!!✈️

[@mmatma31]

When are the t28 shipping out ??

[@mckaylundtuttle7962]

Why is the suspension fully compressed while sitting there?

[@planeaddicted]

Is the ESC one of the new smart ESC's?

[@flyyourtomcat]

>>>>>Any change of HH putting out a video of showing the grass ops really soon>>>>>>>So please let us see!!!!! Thanks. And a big thanks from the me in the Netherlands for putting this model out;-)

[@billymartin7027]

Lately, the struts outlast the retract, but I didn't see any in the parts section, only the struts without the retract.

[@LIFEOFSTUFFEDANIMALS]

That is a beauty...too bad the feild I fly at doesnt allow edfs for noise level reasons...

[@matthewjames2649]

What...¿. Hey you kids stay out of my air space.. don't make me Blair some heavy articulated metal.... They are screaming for a raisin

[@brianchambers1515]

👍👍

[@Mr619Boyz]

Will this bind with the Spektrum DX8 Gen 1 (Silver) Transmitter? I just bought this jet and I'm wondering if it will bind to the transmitter i already have or do I need a new one?

[@lucstassen5525]

👍❤

[@Farmermanrc]

Can you set a mix for air brake on the rudders both inward like full scale?

[@delliott777]

farmerman Roes great idea

[@Lithonion1]

Every time I see someone move a control surface by hand I cringe.

[@HEATRACER24]

Is this based off of another model or completely E-Flite?

[@DavesRc]

My god, for this price I would just buy the freewing F18. I had high Hope's that this would be in the 300 dollar realm. Oh well freewing it is.

[@GBLynden]

Dave's Rc That is what I am thinking too, unless I have too much wine one night lol

[@Aereaphotography]

Dave's Rc Dave come off the stage..freewing f18 is over 400 bucks, this with safe select is around the same price, which includes AS3X, look at the issues the free wing had🤔🤔🤔 let’s see this one in the hands of customers before we start slating them👌

[@DavesRc]

Didnt mean to start controversy, just think if you are going to spend over 400 on a jet, the freewing is a bigger 90mm for the same price. As3x and safe is a great thing if your a beginner. For the guys that need it. I use my own stabilizer. None of that helps me. My point is if I'm going to spend almost 500 dollars for a jet. I'll take the 90mm over the 80mm. Change out the elevator servo to a better one. Now I'll drop the mic and walk off stage. Lol. Me mum's would be proud. Hahaha.

[@DavesRc]

Mike, no 80mm jet is worth over 400 dollars, let's be real. Look at every other 80mm jet out on the market or just on motion rc's website. All of them right around the 300 dollar mark. So what that tells me is that HH thinks that the safe and as3x is worth over 150$. Come on chap. You have to see my point. My 80mm sabre and 80mm A6. 300$. The super scorpion is less than 300. See what I'm saying. They are charging 90mm prices for 80mm jets. That's why I didnt buy the F4 HH put out. Way to much for an 80mm jet. I'm keeping my punches above the waist. Let's be honest with ourselves.

[@Aereaphotography]

Dave's Rc Hi Dave I hear ya, I was thinking of the free wing but was put off by the crashes, I will give this one a go and hope it flies as good as it looks...now get back up on the stage 😁😁✌️

[@CaseyCRC]

Bring this plane back!! Please stop discontinuing planes after a couple years??? Love this plane and didn’t get a chance to buy one!

[@michaelrodgers9829]

How many channels is the safe receiver? I use a dx9. I just thought the safe receivers were 6ch. Thanks

[@GBLynden]

MR. FPV Seven channels to use SAFE.

[@mrt10352]

To bad early October got pushed back to mid October

[@Ngormanphotography]

What’s the flight time

[@thenickfoxx]

Can anyone that has bought this model let me know how it is? I trust this review but it's always nice to hear from others aswell

[@gavstreet8976]

I bought one about a month ago and I flew it’s on a 4500mah 6s pack to make it decently light and from my experience flying it, it is very under powered I’ve almost lost it like 3 times because of how under powered it is, but everything else is fantastic but I am having trouble with one of my elevators I’m sure it’s just mine when I pull up the left stab doesn’t go up enough and when I push down it goes to far down no I took the elevator servo horn off and adjusted it and it ended up being too much of a correction and in-flight when I pull up it curves off to the right a little bit. Also as a solution for it being to under powered I’m gonna try and make it 8s so it will have more power for takeoff and landing so it does not stall out but like I said everything else is fantastic, plus the landing gear is awesome 😁

[@thenickfoxx]

@@gavstreet8976 thanks so much man! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think. Have a good one 👊

[@gavstreet8976]

Yzerplan no problem man stay safe 👍

[@thenickfoxx]

@@gavstreet8976 you too man ✊

[@WWBoardgamer]

CG for E-Flite F-18 Hornet 80 mm has CG 70-78mm according to the manual where as E-Flite F-18 Blue angel the manual states 85mm (+/-5) from the leading edge. Anyone know why the difference. Could the 85mm be used with the F-18 Hornet?

[@canamwing6999]

Waiting for the Su-35!

[@delliott777]

Richard Heteny Motion RC has one, and with thrust vectoring

[@puneetawasthi4980]

What is price

[@matk4731]

Really nice 🤤🤤 but at over 1K that’s nuts 🤪 & disappointing.

[@Aereaphotography]

Any idea when they will be ready for purchasing 😜

[@HorizonHobbyProducts]

Now...

[@Aereaphotography]

HorizonHobbyProducts pre order, I mean when in the stores..UK 👍

[@0304051324]

how is gras strip handling?

[@HorizonHobbyProducts]

It will work on very short/manicured grass.

Hi!!! Great review video, thanks for sharing with us, best regards !!! What's new on my channel? I invite you to watch the Volantex 757-3 take off... and this may be one of the last times I can share videos of this plane with you because last Sunday, October 6th, just in the ascent phase, it crashed without any control from a height of over 30 or 40 meters, in an uncontrolled spiral... it was very windy with gusts, it was a flight with high risks... probably, the Arkbird blocked due to excessive instability... I had no control over the plane, I was desperate to see it fall... you are always welcome!!!

[@gavstreet8976]

Available in Bind and fly blasic 5:06 lmao 😂

[@chingersfreind]

Does everybody know these Hornets are manufactured by FMS.

[@MaxSupercars]

This is not a scale model. The whole plane looks deformed and not scale. Looks like a toy...

[@Aereaphotography]

Max Supercars it looks super slick, definitely doesn’t look like its deformed 🤔

[@startazz]

Yes because we know you could do better Max,i know show us your version of one. 😉

[@ezb77]

I agree. It looks like a mix of a D and F variant. Freewing did it better...

[@jackhawk8952]

Getting to expensive for foam... Almost 500 dollars you can get a freewing 70mn in the 200 dollar range.. I got the fms 70mm you expect regular people to spend almost 500 on a foamie.. I would rather buy 2 70mm for the same price... It's nice but still foam not fiberglass...

[@millerrc5829]

No main Gear doors. disappointment

[@splendensregan5270]

Nothing about the retract landing gear. Nothing about the suspension landing gear. By the way, the landing gear suspension looks too rude!

[@HorizonHobbyProducts]

Did you watch the same video?

[@billymartin7027]

@@HorizonHobbyProducts My only issue is that you don't have retracts in the parts section, will they be coming later?

[@gavinwilkins5466]

1000 bucks Australian no way miles to expensive I will get the Freewing F/A-18C it's cheaper and better

[@seb9425]

It’s the same price

[@harrisonc9095]

if you dont know what EDF stands for or the size ratings then you shouldn't be purchasing a jet like this. It'll just end in tears.