Flying Model Reviews

Hobby-Lobby’s F/A-18 Hornet, named the Red Viper, is an almost-ready-to-fly, electric ducted-fan model of a contemporary, military jet. This particular model is the 50th anniversary edition, painted in the colors of the “Diamondbacks.”

The first thing I noticed about my “Red Viper” is that the color is anything but red. I work at AMA Headquarters, and there was a lot of debate going on in the office about the model’s real color. I think that Rob Kurek described it best when he suggested salmon.

We were not the only ones surprised what just have easily been called the Pink Viper. Hobby-Lobby had acknowledged the odd pigmentation of the model, and came up with a cause-worthy solution.

Hobby-Lobby reduced the price of the off-color Vipers, and is donating a percentage of the sale of these models to the Nashville-based Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, which supports cancer research, education, and patient and family services.

Between the price break and the opportunity to promote a worthy cause, how could you not want to assemble and fly one of these hot fan-jets?

Color debate aside, I got down to the business of building my RTF. Wow! There sure were a lot of parts. This kit contained several assembly steps that I was not familiar with, and the photographs in the manual would have been more helpful if they had been larger.

The first thing I had to do was connect the nose gear steering servo to the receiver. Once that was done, I glued the fuselage pieces together and let the model sit overnight so the glue could dry. The glue was included, by the way. This kit is very complete.

The next day, installing the control horns on the wings and stabilizers was a bit difficult for me because the screws were incredibly tiny and I have long fingernails. I found that a screwdriver with a magnetic tip helps dramatically.
With all four control horns now installed, I finished gluing the remaining parts together, and let the model sit overnight again. It was becoming more and more apparent to me why model builders develop a lot of patience.

The next steps were probably the most complicated for me. They involved connecting all the pushrods and clevises. I’ll admit to getting a bit stress with the whole thing because the pushrod system is complex, and this was the first time I had to build an ARF.

The F/A-18 has a resourceful instruction manual, but I was fortunate to have an experience modeler nearby to help clarify a few things for me. Michael Ramsey explained what the directions meant by, “connect all mobile parts,” and he helped me to get everything sorted out correctly.

Preparing my fully assembled Viper for flight took almost no time at all. All the clevises were turned completely in to get the controls evenly aligned, and later, this would prove to be a little short. An adjustment to the sub-trim had to be made on my transmitter, and a bit of up trim in the elevator was needed in flight.

Since I had spent several days in assembling my first jet, you can understand why I was extremely concerned about flying it myself. I’m still a novice pilot, and did not want to risk damaging my pink lady. I was more than willing to let Michael Ramsey take her up for the virgin flight when he offered.

My Pink Viper took off, smooth as butter, from the paved runway. She doesn’t need much room to get off the ground, and boy—does she fly! The sound from the ducted-fan unit is amazing, and it really reflects the awesome power she’s packing.



What surprised me most about the maiden flight was the amount of power the jet is able to maintain. Michael made most of the flight at only half-throttle, and was surprise was all pleasant; the jet really flies great.






The F/A-18 Hornet has amazing control response, and very little stick movement is needed to turn her in any direction. She whips through loops and rolls—and looks for real flying inverted.


I finally got up the nerve to fly her a bit myself, and while it’s still a bit intimidating for me, it’s so worth it. If you are no longer a beginner park pilot, and you’re ready for a real challenge, this jet is definitely for you.
Run out and getcha’ one.