RAAF F/A-18 Hornet Large Back Jacket Patch Sew On Embroidery Patch

The Royal Australian Air Force selected the F/A-18 in October 1981 to replace its Dassault Mirage IIIOs.  It ended up purchasing 57 F/A-18A fighters as well as 18 F/A-18B two-seat trainers.  The F/A fleet was upgraded in the late 1990s to extend their service lives to 2015 when they were expected to be retired then and replaced by the F-35 Lightning II.  Several of the Australian Hornets have had refits applied to extend their service lives with the fleet of 75 Classic Hornets scheduled for withdrawal from service in December 2021.  The Australian Air Force has also purchased 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets, with deliveries beginning in 2010.  The roundel is a circular disc used as a symbol to identify aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force and the current version was initially adopted On 2 July 1956 it features the red kangaroo ‘in motion' which was chosen as the most popular centrepiece from a range of other options (including the Southern Cross, a boomerang and a sprig of wattle).  The kangaroo within the Air Force Roundel always faces to the left except when used on aircraft or vehicles, when the kangaroo should always face the front of the aircraft or vehicle.

• Patch Dimensions: 195mm x 250mm