modelglue Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am wondering in your experience which is the best F-18C on the market (current or upcoming). I have been out of the loop for a little while and I am not sure what has changed in the World of 1/72. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Academy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 NO-one else comes even a close second 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 +1 for Academy, the Hasegawa one is very dated by comparison. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Also Academy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelglue Posted July 25, 2016 Author Share Posted July 25, 2016 Thanks everyone, I've had my finger on the button but am happy to have confirmation. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngstROM Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Academy has the title for sure -but the main landing gear legs build up at a strange angle. The good news is that it is fixable; if you run a search on most any of the major forums you'll get a few helpful solutions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Another vote for Academy, this kit has a few small issues (like the abovementioned main landing gear legs) but it's not only the best legacy Hornet kit, it's also an excellent kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I've built the Italeri, Hasegawa and Academy and the Academy is by far the best IMHO. Got 3 or 4 more in my stash plus Leading Edge Decals waiting for them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizball Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 If you don't mind the thread hijack, I guess it's the same for F/A-18A? I've got a RAAF 2005 anniversary decal sheet with some rather intricate markings on it (http://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/ma/mas729015.htm)%C2'> it's designed for the Hasegawa kit which I don't have yet. But if the Academy kit is far superior, I might gamble on that instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e8n2 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) If you don't mind the thread hijack, I guess it's the same for F/A-18A? I've got a RAAF 2005 anniversary decal sheet with some rather intricate markings on it ( it's designed for the Hasegawa kit which I don't have yet. But if the Academy kit is far superior, I might gamble on that instead. Until the "F/A-18A" came along, there never was an F/A designation for U.S. aircraft. It is a total misnomer. If they had wanted to show a dual mission in the designation, then the proper designation would have been AF-18A. However since fighter aircraft have been flying ground attack missions starting with the "War to end all wars", it would have been fine and proper just to leave it as F-18A. Don't even get me started on game playing with the designation system! (F-35 my derriere, F-24!!!!!) Later, Dave Edited July 27, 2016 by e8n2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) If you don't mind the thread hijack, I guess it's the same for F/A-18A? I've got a RAAF 2005 anniversary decal sheet with some rather intricate markings on it ( it's designed for the Hasegawa kit which I don't have yet. But if the Academy kit is far superior, I might gamble on that instead. Yes, the same applies for the A variant, the Academy kit is better than the others. Better check the content of each box though, IIRC Academy had some different parts in the various boxes covering the variants, depending on what updates your subject had at that moment, one box may be better than the other. Interestingly, the latest F/A-18+ box released by Academy comes with some very nice Australian decals but unfortunately only in Australia ! Guess it was the local distributor who added the markings to this box http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12520.shtml I'll try and get the box from the stash and take a picture of the Aussie scheme Edited July 27, 2016 by Giorgio N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 BEWARE that AFAIK Academy had also an A (via Minicraft) which is basically an ancient Sunny/Entex mould, and which may be contained in older boxings before the Academy/Minicraft split, and I think is still being sold by Minicraft. Current boxings should contain pure Academy plastic, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Don't even get me started on game playing with the designation system! (F-35 my derriere, F-24!!!!!) Later, Dave Until today I had vaguely assumed that the missing numbers in the F series were due to various proposals and stillborn designs being given designations but never coming to fruition. I also had an impression that unusual aircraft, such as the US MiG 29s used for air combat training were also given F series numbers. However a quick look at Wikipedia's X series page suggests that the F-35 has been given that number simply because it is derived from the X-35 demonstrator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizball Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Yes, the same applies for the A variant, the Academy kit is better than the others. Better check the content of each box though, IIRC Academy had some different parts in the various boxes covering the variants, depending on what updates your subject had at that moment, one box may be better than the other. Interestingly, the latest F/A-18+ box released by Academy comes with some very nice Australian decals but unfortunately only in Australia ! Guess it was the local distributor who added the markings to this box http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12520.shtml I'll try and get the box from the stash and take a picture of the Aussie scheme Thank you. Is the A and A+ similar enough that an A subject can be built from a A+ boxing? I see I failed in my first post, I was trying to link a review of the actual sheet I have: http://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/ma/mas729015.htm I've always loved the scheme but haven't gotten around to build it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e8n2 Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 Until today I had vaguely assumed that the missing numbers in the F series were due to various proposals and stillborn designs being given designations but never coming to fruition. I also had an impression that unusual aircraft, such as the US MiG 29s used for air combat training were also given F series numbers. However a quick look at Wikipedia's X series page suggests that the F-35 has been given that number simply because it is derived from the X-35 demonstrator. That is what really bugs me about the whole thing. Check out the following link for more information: http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/nonstandard-mds.html#_MDS_F35 Later, Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Don't even get me started on game playing with the designation system! (F-35 my derriere, F-24!!!!!) *cough* Sea Harrier F/A.2*cough* Alright, I'll get the next round... Cheers, Andre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantome Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 As everyone else has said, Academy is the only game in town for a -18A/C/D. Keep an eye out for the nose assembly as it comes in four parts and can be tricky to get right since fit is also not great by Academy standards. My suggestion is to create makeshift tabs in the nose parts (by gluing plasticard on the inside of the narrower bits) so that they align because some don't. It's a gorgeous kit once finished though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helios16v Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) Fixing to start mine (Academy) once I get the Jaguar off the bench. Edited August 1, 2016 by helios16v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Maas Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Thank you. Is the A and A+ similar enough that an A subject can be built from a A+ boxing? I see I failed in my first post, I was trying to link a review of the actual sheet I have: http://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/ma/mas729015.htm I've always loved the scheme but haven't gotten around to build it yet. ​Yes, for the most part. ​A really early A can't be built easily or a very late A+, but most operational A's can be built from the kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVW Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Hello, one question about Academy's main landing gear issue: Does Scale Aircraft Conversions Set 72066 "F/A-18A-D Hornet Landing Gear (Aca)" correct the above mentioned issue with the main landing gear struts or is it just a metal replacement of the plastic parts? Thanks for any info. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 ... Does Scale Aircraft Conversions Set 72066 "F/A-18A-D Hornet Landing Gear (Aca)" correct the above mentioned issue with the main landing gear struts or is it just a metal replacement of the plastic parts? Great question Martin and one I'd love to answer definitively, but I don't have that set myself. My strong suspicion is that the main gear legs as provided by SAC are just copies in metal of the kit parts - a very disappointing outcome. Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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