McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet: Books - History (1/2)

Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet & EA-18G Growler - A Developmental and Operational History

The Boeing F/A-18E/F has its roots in the late-1980s Hornet 2000 study, which itself evaluated ways to enhance the range, payload, and bring-back capability of the existing F/A-18 Hornet. Through a series of trade-offs imposed by largely limited defense funds, what emerged was a versatile, affordable strike fighter aircraft that has served the Navy well since its fleet introduction in 2002.
The Growler has a similar history. Itself an offshoot of the Super Hornet program, the EA-18G brought many of the Super Hornet's attributes - speed, maneuverability, self-defense capability, and advanced systems - into the electronic attack community and is now posed to assume all such missions from the venerable EA-6B Prowler within the next few years.

This book draws on interviews with many of the key players in the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G program and on many press reports of the day to tell the story of how these aircraft were designed, developed, and deployed.

Author:	Brad Edward
Specs:	400 pages, 31.5 x 24 x 4 cm / 12.4 x 9 x 1.57 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2012)
ISBN:	9780764340413

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Manual (1978 onwards) - An insight into the design, construction and operation

Supported by more than 270 photographs and technical illustrations, the Haynes McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Manual lifts the panels on the most sophisticated fleet defender of all time to review its design, construction and operation, including revealing personal insights by US Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet.

The US-designed and built McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet carrier-borne, multi-role fighter is one of the most important Fourth Generation fighters in the world. Its twin-engine, twin-tails (canted outwards) and leading edge root extensions make it one of the most recognisable fighters in operation. The latest version is the enlarged Super Hornet.

Author Steve Davies lifts the panels on this 'king' of the US Navy's Fleet Defenders to review its design, construction and operation, including detailed personal insights by USN personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet.

Author:	Steve Davies
Specs:	160 pages, 27.5 x 21.5 x 1.4 cm / 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.55 in, hardback
Illustrations:	270+ colour photos
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2017)
Series:	Haynes Aircraft Manual
ISBN:	9781785210549

▶  More information on the Haynes Aircraft Manuals

Boeing F/A-18 A/B & C/D Hornet: Flying with air forces around the world

This beautiful Duke Hawkins photo book extensively presents the Boeing F/A-18 A/B and C/D Hornet, including the ATAR version. These aircraft are in service with the US Navy, US Marines Corps as well as the air forces of Spain, Finland, Canada, Switzerland, Malaysia and other countries.
The book contains not only action photos, but also many "walkaround" photos that show details of the aircraft from different angles. Chapters on cockpit (single-seater and two-seater), fuselage, armament and maintenance work.

The series "Aircraft in Detail" arose from the collaboration between pilots, aircraft technicians and modellers. This volume (No. 8) on the Boeing F/A-18 A/B & C/D Hornet is illustrated with over 400 very high quality color photographs, most of which have never been published before.

Author:	Robert Pied, Nicolas Deboeck, Antonio Mayandia
Specs:	140 pages, 24 x 24 x 1 cm / 9 x 9 x 0.39 in, paperback
Illustrations:	400+ colour photos
Publisher:	HMH Publications (B, 2019)
Series:	Aircraft in Detail (08)
ISBN:	9782960248876

The F/A-18 Hornet Story

The F/A-18 evolved from Northrop's YF-17 in the late 1970s. Production aircraft reached the Navy in May 1980 and the Marine Corps two years later. More than 800 examples would eventually be built for US service, with a further 500 aircraft sold to seven export customers.
Earning its battle spurs in April 1986 flying strike missions against Libya, the Hornet would subsequently participate in Operation Desert Storm and the various 'policing' operations in Iraq and the Balkans that followed. The 'legacy' Hornet is still very much in frontline use with the US Navy and Marine Corps today.
Tony Holmes, author of "The F-14 Tomcat Story", has once again collected the most spectacular images to complement the history of this star of carrier-based naval aviation.

Author:	Tony Holmes
Specs:	128 pages, 14 x 19 x 1.3 cm / 5.5 x 7.5 x 0.51 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	The History Press Ltd (GB, 2011)
ISBN:	9780752462691