1/48 Centennial Of Naval Aviation VFA-122 F/A-18F Digital Super Hornet

[bushande]

Hello Gents,

been a while since I was last around and here is the reason that kept me occupied.

Alright, maybe first off some pics of the original for all the nitpickers:

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=&airlinesearch=&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=165677&range=&sort_order=photo_id+desc&page_limit=15&thumbnails=

After quite a few months of not always funny modelling work my DIY Dig-Bug is finally in a presentable state.

Tadaaaaa!

Maybe some explanations and rants about the kit and what has been done first?!

I used the RoG kit (the one with the red VFA-102 anniversary camo).

I really don’t want to unnecessarily jabber around again but I just can’t follow why all the world is so fond of Hasegawa and after that build it just stays a riddle to me.

Yes there is quite a pile of rework that has to go into the Revell kit but one won’t get around that with Hase too. At least Revell’s flaws are somehow manageable for the average modeller with average tools and effort but how does one correct Hasegawas way too short spin just for example?

In that respect I just have to come to the same conclusion as with the Tomcat. Revell is waaaayyy cheaper, partly even more accurate in shape and that bit of lacking details can easily be compensated with a little spit and creativity and Hase’s few open panels and extra panel lines and rivets just don’t justify the hefty price tag for usually unarmed kits.

Anyways here just a short rundown of the changes and alterations the kit went through:

O.k. admitted, Revells engines simply ARE crap but recently there are some nice resin replacements out there that are also quite recommendable vor the Hase kit too. When I started this baby the rsin pieces were not available so I went the scratch-road again. It was actually quite interesting to quasi completely rebuild the whole engine since I had to wipe out every bit of detail and structure and start from scratch. Well I had to take Hase’s burner cans as a pattern since these are admittedly better than Revell’s. Especially the angle of the nozzles is bogus. Albeit the revell burners where good for something in the end.

[bushande]

Especially „full body make ups” such as this digi camo require dimensions from the kit that are as close to the original as possible, as you run danger to hit some real problems adjusting all the details once something doesn’t quit ematch up at one point. As for Revell, the LEX’s are somewhat too thick and end too early but contrary to Hase’s screwed spine that problem is a rather easy fix.

165677 had at least in my eyes a rather unusual configuration, i.e. a pre-ACS-cockpit but already the newer bart stacks installed between the fins. I know there are resin parts out there but since I was scratching other things on that kit anyways I just though go all the way and do that too. There is alread a thick shift of clear coat applied but one should be able to see at least something.

[Dads203]

An exercise in masking.. Superb work, what more can one say ...

Dan

[bushande]

Revells and Hases cockpit frames are both not quite right. The original Foxtrott features a slight step between the border on the windshield and the one on the canopy. Since Revell’s dimensions are roughly equal the fix via some butty is a rather easy one. I still don’t quite know how to do that on the Hase-kit.

Further changes were less substantial like erasing the ALE-50 launcher on the belly, adding som detail to the LAU-125 and –127’s, alter some grids, vents and detailing some tubes and probes on the fines.

Eventually the canopy received some scratch extras like mirrors and handles.

An exercise in masking.. Superb work, what more can one say ...

Dan

Oh wow that was quick! Many many thanks, wait for the rest of the shots.

Revells cockpit is actually quite o.k. in my eyes and is save some adding of wires and cables and some extra details quite sufficient, at least if one wants to build the rpe-block 25/26 standard.

As VFA-122 crews are often members of fleet squadrons with their own equipment I went for reasons of neutrality with black white HGU-55/-68 helmets without extra markings and visors and turned them nice and dirty and used off. Both crew members got a little CONA patch on their shoulders. Why and what the WSO is photographing has to stay a secret for a little while longer.

What might be visible here under the flash light is that rainbow efect that Hornet cockpits among others currently feature as well as the slight tinting of the windshield. The first batch of Super Hornets had the whole canopy tinted but currently it seems only the windshield remains darker.

Controls, panels und displays received some extra scratch detailing along some lid up displays to make the cockpit look a little more alive. The HUD is scratch as well.

Little things like replacing the position lights with clear plastic give a little more life to the model.

That little mount to fix the pylons on stations 2 and 10 are missing in the Revell and also in the Hase kit and need to be scratched if you want to present a Hornet without these pylons. The pylons on stations 3 and 9 received some further detailing and rework.

Here another look into the engine. Turbines are scratch built too and maybe from this angle one can see the slightly tilted nozzles after the rework. Revell’s engines meet each other in the middle, i.e. the diameter seems to big. By sanding them off and rescribing them I got the necessary space between the nozzles. On the original a bit of the clamps that hold the engines stick within the airframe. That can easily be imitated with some plastics and putty.

That rainbow effect is something really nasty and cost me a lot of time and nerves i tell you. I just hope it was worth it in the end. I think the difference in tinting between windshield and canopy is quite visible here too.

The CONA writing disappeared on the original by now but I just left it. I just like it a lot! As I unfortunately cannot print gold or shiny clear I just had to compensate with brush, gold color and some clear coat. I think it still went quite o.k. after all.

For lack of better ideas I printed a faded bluey NAVY logo as some sort of background for the CONA medal.

A little plaque so even the unknowing can gather what they see:

And since some none-insiders just don’t want to believe me that this baby flies for real I added some small shots of the Original from every side and angle to the display so you got a little comparison or reference – whatever – just turns the whole thing a little less boring.

Alright ... so here’s a little „fashion show":

Top side:

Belly side:

Perspective:

And though it is not a Tomcat I’m just digging that angle – a lot!

Ooooookaaaayyyy ..... and now why and what Mr. WSO is photographing:

Actually it is more authentic to depict this particular Hornet without any ordnance and one should be careful to not optically overload a model with such a sick camo, but let’s be Honest, if you put a model onto the shelf you want it look bad bottom and though the real deal might look nasty even without a load this tine 1/48 fella looks a little blank after all.

I still couldn’t decide which road to go – rather authentic or "Yeeeeyyyy!" and so I just chose the flexible way of using magnets after the kind heads up of a fellow modeller. This way I can choose just whatever way I like at a time – realistic or "woooaaahhh". I stuck with blue inert amo since live rounds really WOULD have looked inappropriate and since we are talking about the “Blue Rhino” we just stay consequent with the load as well.

So why and what is the WSO photographing? Well … since I do like to present my jets “in action” I just thought why the hey not go all the way and ……

Klick Klick Klick - Gotcha!!!!

[IXGR1]

nice scheme, very effectively done - as difficult as it looks ?

-Great to see some REAL modelling going on ...........

Edited September 22, 2012 by IXGR1

[bushande]

Well there are certainly little discrepancies but basically everything fits way better than expected. All panel lines meet the right cubes and squares in about the right angle just as on the original and also the right cubes are roughly on the respective vents, grids and access panels just like on the real one. At least I am quite o.k. with how she came out or let’S say it this way – I just don’t know what and where to still change.

Weeeeell …. roughly fits and be done with it!

So here’s a little show off as well and we should have about everything covered and here should be something for every taste – the defenders of authenticity and the lovers of "Kaboooom!".

slightly lower view:

slightly from top:

The direct sun light produces nasty shadows but this way the clear CONA writing stands out from the flat surface and one can see the rainbow effect again. I don’t know if it is visible here but I tried to imitate the different consistencies of the colors applied on the original. They used flat and semi flat colors there as well as it seems, which kind of gives the surface some effect as if it would be “alive” under direct light.

And finally ........ booooyyyyy I just like this perspective. I really have to paint her this way some time.

Alright, of into the glass case and the Tiger-Tonka finally has some company untill the sister is eventually ready. That lady is long overdue.

nice scheme - as difficult as it looks ?

-Great to see some REAL modelling going on ...........

Many thanks!!!

Oh yes, it indeed was a pain in the a.... I tell you.

[sean]

Insane camo and a great job.

(Hows the eyes?)

Sean

[bushande]

Hi hi, thanks for the praise. My eyes turned into squares, what else?!

[Plasticbutcher]

Be still my beating heart..... Stunning!

[Derek A]

I'm not sure I understand all the changes made but the finished model is truly spectacular! My hat off to you sir.

[Belle]

Stunning and Great looking all at the same time.

Belle

[russ c]

Amazing !!, really nice

[Stephen]

Fantastic!

Stephen

[bushande]

Thanks a lot for the praise. Happy you all like it and it wasn't too boring.

[jimbuna]

Absolutely awesome work.

[bushande]

Thank you very much.

It actually looks more difficult than it is. Still happy it's done though.

[RNoAF Aerobatic Team]

Just OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

[AndyC]

Amazing finish - such patience! Brilliant - love the missile launch, such a good touch

[Bri48]

Brilliant job!

[Duncan B]

The real thing must have been a pain to paint and I have wondered since seeing photos of it if anyone could manage to do it justice on a model, you have surpassed my expectations of what could be done. Well done on making it all work.

[Wolfpack]

A brilliant model and the base is just pure inspiration. How's about a 'This is how I did the camo' post?

Go Navy!

W

[F-32]

That is the dogs danglies!

[goose]

outstanding work that camo is incredible!!! i bet you could watch the matrix now and read the codes.

[bushande]

Once again many thanks for the kind words. I'm happy if it is a little entertaining.

I must admit that it was actually the nasty ol' ego that was driving me on this one.

After all the "that's not gonna work for a model" and "No can do"-comments about the Digi Hornet I just couldn't resist giving it a try. I confess ... my modeller ego doesn't really need another one of these trips.

[dekenba]

Wow.

I can honestly say I've never seen that scheme modelled before!