Get ready to take off with this Mini F-18 Maverick Fighter Jet Custom Set!  This Custom Set is made from 100% real LEGO bricks.  Feel the need for speed with this unique LEGO build- checking in at 6 inches long, using 77 LEGO pieces.  Also included is a buildable display stand to show off your build!  Packaged in a full color resealable Stand Up Pouch, this set arrives un-assembled and includes printed, easy to follow instructions that take you step by step through this fun build!  Great for gifting, or collecting- start building up your BLOCK Jets AirPower Collection today!

This Custom Set Includes:

• 77 LEGO PIECES
• 36 UNIQUE LEGO ELEMENTS
• BUILDABLE LEGO DISPLAY STAND
• PRINTED COLOR INSTRUCTIONS
  
• RESEALABLE STAND UP COLOR POUCH- 7.75in by 10in

New Packaging!  Our full color Stand Up Pouches come with a convenient resealable zip closure - perfect for gifting or showcasing on a retail shelf!

Shipping Info:  You will get an email with USPS tracking info once it ships.  These sets ship in a resealable Stand Up Pouch.  The Pouch will then be sealed in a white poly mailer bag to protect your set and the printed color instructions from the elements during transit and delivery.

Guarantee:  All sets come with a 100% money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason- just ship it back for a full refund.  I take great pride in designing and offering these sets using 100% new LEGO, and hope to inspire others to get building!  Thanks Matt

About the F/A- 18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet traces its origins to the mid-1970s when the U.S. Navy sought a versatile, cost-effective fighter to replace aging aircraft like the F-4 Phantom II and A-7 Corsair II. Evolving from Northrop’s YF-17, a lightweight fighter tested in the Air Force’s 1974 fly-off against the F-16, the Hornet was reengineered by McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) into a twin-engine, multirole jet for carrier operations. The first prototype flew on November 18, 1978, and after rigorous testing, the F/A-18A entered service with the Navy and Marine Corps in 1983. Its dual designation—F for fighter, A for attack—highlighted its ability to excel in air-to-air combat and ground strikes, a rarity at the time.

The Hornet’s early years showcased its adaptability. Powered by two General Electric F404 engines, it reached speeds of Mach 1.8 and boasted a combat radius of about 400 nautical miles, extendable with aerial refueling. Initial models, the F/A-18A and B (two-seat trainer), served in the 1986 Libya strikes, proving their precision with laser-guided bombs. By the 1991 Gulf War, Hornets flew thousands of sorties, downing Iraqi MiGs and hitting ground targets in the same missions—a feat enabled by advanced avionics like the APG-65 radar. Over 1,400 A-D variants were built, with production costs around $29 million per jet (roughly $60 million today), balancing capability and affordability for naval fleets.

The F/A-18 evolved significantly with the F/A-18C and D variants in 1987, adding night-attack capabilities, improved radar (APG-73), and compatibility with advanced weapons like the AIM-120 AMRAAM. These upgrades kept it relevant through the 1990s Balkans conflicts and Operations Desert Fox (1998) and Iraqi Freedom (2003), where it flew alongside newer jets. In 1999, Boeing introduced the larger, more powerful F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with 25% more airframe size, longer range (over 500 nautical miles), and stealthier design, debuting in combat during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. The Super Hornet became the Navy’s backbone, phasing out the F-14 Tomcat by 2006, with over 600 built at $67 million each.

Today, the F/A-18’s legacy spans combat and culture. The Blue Angels adopted the Hornet in 1986, switching to the Super Hornet in 2021, thrilling millions with its agility. Hornets have flown over 300,000 combat hours since 1983, serving not just the U.S. but allies like Australia, Canada, and Spain. Production of the E/F models is set to end in 2025 as the F-35 Lightning II takes over, but the jet’s versatility—evidenced by its use in Top Gun: Maverick (2022)—ensures its historical mark. From its YF-17 roots to its Super Hornet evolution, the F/A-18 remains a symbol of naval aviation’s adaptability and enduring punch.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a LEGO® Product. These are new LEGO elements that have been repackaged.  LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this product. The LEGO Group and BLOCK Jets are not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.