In modern wars, electronic warfare has become as important as firepower strikes. The Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft is born for this mission. It can perform various theater electronic warfare tasks such as electromagnetic countermeasures, electronic interception and communication countermeasures.
The U.S. Navy VAQ-138 'Yellow Jackets' Electronic Attack Squadron was established in February 1976, initially equipped with the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft and deployed aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60). The squadron began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft between late 2009 and 2010. In 2011, it deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn, followed by a deployment to the Middle East in 2013 to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since then, the squadron has been frequently stationed overseas, carrying out various missions.
This latest MENG LS-019 1/48 Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft Yellow Jackets model is 378mm long and 285mm wide after assembly. This kit includes pre-cut stainless steel PE parts, pre-cut painting masks and two paint schemes. It has accurate ALQ-99 high/low band jamming pods, ALQ-218V(2) tactical receivers and electronic warfare antennae. The specially designed pluggable main pylons allow the easy change of electronic pods or external fuel tanks. This kit includes the AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles.
The paint scheme A is the high-visibility livery of the aircraft of Lieutenant Colonel M.J. Simpson, the commanding officer of VAQ-138 'Yellow Jackets,' and Lieutenant Colonel B.L. Jones, the electronic warfare officer, stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan in 2022. The yellow jacket emblem on the vertical stabilizer is particularly striking. Misawa Air Base is located in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, at the northern tip of Honshu Island. It hosts both Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the U.S. military troops.
Scheme B represents the low-visibility livery of the aircraft of Captain Mark Gertman and Major Michelle Fessenden, the electronic warfare officer, from VAQ-138 'Yellow Jackets,' stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan in 2022. Research conducted by the U.S. Air Force has shown that at altitudes above 5,000 meters, visual color resolution significantly diminishes, and color differences virtually disappear. In such conditions, the predominant colors perceived are light gray and dark gray. Therefore, the low-visibility livery, which uses two shades of light gray, is designed to better blend with high-altitude backgrounds and enhance concealment.
LS-019 Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft Yellow Jackets
Scale: 1/48
