The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built.
To commemorate the service of the F/A-18A with the RAAF, F/A-18A A21-18 was given what probably is the last paint scheme for this type of aircraft as the RAAF transitions to the F-35A. The 75 Squadron used the magpie as the center of their crest so the bird was placed on the tail section as the center piece. The paint scheme is predominantly black with white diamonds on top of the tail, white on the wing leading edges and around the canopy.