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1/48 HobbyBoss F/A-18D Hornet


Wee Beastie

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This is going to be my next build.
HobbyBoss 1/48 F/A-18D, in the markings of VMFA-121 "Green Knights", during Desert Storm.
The aftermarket I'll be using is:-
Quickboost resin seats
Eduard PE Cockpit set
ModelMaker decals for VFMA-121
LAU-10 rocket pods from Hasegawa Weapons Set B
Eduard canopy mask
I'm intending to use Hataka Orange Line paints.

36308480803_e643c1a7b0_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36950662442_2a7627ee2b_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36308480773_44115e3517_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36932588636_c30e408ac5_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36932588636_c30e408ac5_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

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19 hours ago, exdraken said:

:)

I guess you did not take the photos with your phone ;)

 

nice project, looking forward to some modelling!

any plans on improving the intake shape?

 

Haha, no used the iPad. Needed to show date/time for a Group Build I'm entering the Hornet into, and the phone is smaller.

Wasn't aware of an intake issue, but I'm not that worried. Most people who will see the finished build wouldn't know anyway. :)

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 Watching with interest. I like the Edward stuff it looks really crisp, however there's nothing as therapeutic as trying to touch the little cockpit protrusions with a cocktail stick with a dab of paint on it.  Especially when I keep hearing the voices in my head arguing about the color.  

 

I know this will be a sharp build!  They always are!

Edited by Bravo52
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1 hour ago, Bravo52 said:

 Watching with interest. I like the Edward stuff it looks really crisp, however there's nothing as therapeutic as trying to touch the little cockpit protrusions with a cocktail stick with a dab of paint on it.  Especially when I keep hearing the voices in my head arguing about the color.  

 

I know this will be a sharp build!  They always are!

 

Ah, so it's not just me who hears voices then. :D

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Cockpit completed, and seats finished. Although the kit supplied instrument panels are well detailed, the rest of the cockpit is a bit bland. With the combination of Eduard coloured PE, and Quickboost resin, it has really been brought life.
All painted with the following acrylics:-
Hataka A100 Jet Black - seats
Hataka A054 Grey FS36270 - belts
Hataka A004 Olive Drab (Early) - seat cushions
Hataka A018 Olive Drab (Late) - belts
Hataka A011 Light Polish Khaki - belts
Mission Models MMP-041 Hiway Yellow - ejection handles
Vallejo Metal Colours Chrome - belt buckles

37290194141_bfc636b7d6_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37290194141_bfc636b7d6_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37034218270_4435d7dd4a_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37290194121_d3fbd73297_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36620610153_9431388ef0_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37243250836_855941d948_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36620610953_c1a2e2e3f1_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37034218900_752e76656c_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37243248406_13abbf533e_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Edited by Wee Beastie
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15 hours ago, shortCummins said:

Ive heard/read so many "mixed" stories about Hataka paints, how do you find them?

on this evidence they look really good

 

rgds
John(shortCummins)

 

I find the Hataka paints ok John. Usually I thin them 50:50, but that can vary depending on temperature. It’s best to use their own thinners though, and lay down thin coats, and build up the colour. A couple of drops of flow improver helps too. And a bit more thorough on the airbrush cleaning afterwards. 

Up till now, I’ve only used Hataka’s acrylic, but I’m going to try their Orange Line lacquer based paints, when I do the main colours. Im told they are even better than the Red Line. 

Cheers

Ian

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  • 2 weeks later...

With the fuselage together, and wings attached, I decided to improve on the kit. 
The instructions call for the control surfaces to be assembled flat, and flush to the wings. The rudders are moulded into the one piece vertical stabilisers.
With the flaps, it was a simple case of cementing them into their lowered/extended positions, and a slight adjustment made to the flap hinges, under the wings. The flaps were help in place with some Tamiya tape, until set.
The rudders were cut so that they could gently bent into position. Warming the vertical stabilisers first, helped with this procedure. 
So, I'm now about ready to start priming, and that goes for all the "hangy-off" bits too. 

37201506990_efa78f51b7_c.jpgDSC_0122 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201508590_e1b128f209_c.jpgDSC_0125 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201510050_a348efb982_c.jpgDSC_0126 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201511490_158ae8770a_c.jpgDSC_0128 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201512460_8a967d5027_c.jpgDSC_0129 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201513760_60d3f7ce9b_c.jpgDSC_0130 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201515680_7b7f452fd8_c.jpgDSC_0131 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37201516810_26b9ab4798_c.jpgDSC_0132 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36809966483_d9da8f2ae6_c.jpgDSC_0133 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36770127174_0d140de6ce_c.jpgDSC_0136 by ian gaskell, on Flickr



 

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Priming done, with UMP black primer, and some marbling with Akan Faded White, and Vallejo Light Khaki.
I've also decided to replace the kit exhausts, with some very nice resin ones from Attack Squadron.
This is my first time at using (modern) lacquer based paints. I've used Hataka's Orange Line Light Ghost Grey, and Dark Ghost Grey, for the airframe.
Coverage is brilliant, and the finish is very smooth. I only had to wipe the needle tip once in 30 minutes of airbrushing. Couldn't do that with acrylics.
Underside is done, and tomorrow I'll do the topside.

23757641098_dc3a9ccd8f_c.jpgDSC_0138 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

23757641818_41f75173c5_c.jpgDSC_0139 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36952401713_c1b17e24ed_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36912629634_a156342fca_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37590717452_b4b4d34c16_c.jpgUntitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

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The upper fuselage has now been sprayed with Hataka's Orange Line (lacquer) Dark Ghost Grey.
Very pleased with the way it's come out, and again, the finish is really good.
The last photo shows the dry fitment of the Attack Squadron resin exhaust nozzles. These have sprayed in Vallejo's Metal Colour Exhaust Manifold.

37401554840_17f7675e7a_c.jpgDSC_0143 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36988550463_7bf1dd7fc2_c.jpgDSC_0144 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36988556473_25beb40d89_c.jpgDSC_0146 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

36988553583_aff2a984f4_c.jpgDSC_0145 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

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  • 4 weeks later...

Been a gap in my updates, mainly due to a change in work shift.
Now as far getting the decals applied. Had a mishap with the original set, as some of the decals were to light a grey, and were lighter than the airframe colour, where they should have been slightly darker. Managed to track down an OOP set of SuperScale decals, for the Gulf War USMC Hornets, in Canada.
Pylons, fuel tanks, and weapons ready. The Meng Sidewinders are exquisite. 
The decals are sealed with Alclad's Aqua Gloss, and the next step is give the whole airframe a UMP Dark Dirt wash.

37386890734_fe0ea41e9a_c.jpgDSC_0156 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386892824_37a82433de_c.jpgDSC_0157 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386892824_37a82433de_c.jpgDSC_0157 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386896544_fd5caec9ab_c.jpgDSC_0159 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386898864_d4a7352325_c.jpgDSC_0160 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386900334_defbfbfec1_c.jpgDSC_0161 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386902734_6968e93a50_c.jpgDSC_0163 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

37386903744_698f89c085_c.jpgDSC_0165 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

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Ian the ordnance looks just right, really good work on bits that can easily be rushed. 

I like the pre Shading and highlighting too(black and white) i think black base, marble type priming isn't really suited to 1/48 in most cases

Glynn 

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Calling this done. 
After cleaning of the UMP wash, I gave the whole airframe a matt coat, in readiness for next stage of weathering.
For this I used AK pigments for the first time. Lesson learned from this, you don't need much. I've used Humbrol, and Vallejo pigments in the past, but with the AK ones, you only need the smallest amount on a brush. So the wing control surfaces, which were done first, seem a little over done. Colours used were Smoke, Burnt Umber, Light Grey, and Light Dust.
I did use a small amount of Tamiya Weather Master Oil Stain on the drop tanks.
With the weathering completed, I removed the masking from the canopy, then attached all the undercarriage and doors, the crew ladder, and fitted the seats.

Overall, a great kit, with only one major issue. I had to cut 4-5mm from the section between the front and rear cockpits (and the cowling too), in order for the tub to fit in the fuselage. Other than that, there was no problem.
The Meng missiles are excellent, as are the Eduard Brassin rocket launchers.
Another first was using Hataka Orange Line lacquer paints. I used HTK-C037 Light Ghost Grey, and HTK-C035 Dark Ghost Grey.
Problems with the original Repliscale aftermarket decals caused a delay in the build. They were supposedly for a Gulf War VFMA-121 Hornet, but some of the grey markings were lighter than the main colour, were they should have been darker. So I had to source an alternative SuperScale set, which were more accurate.

So here it is, all finished.

 

24342312418_684d686a11_c.jpgIan G-6 by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Edited by Wee Beastie
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