Italeri 1/72 F-18 Hornet 'Blue Angels'

[phat trev]

Saw the Italeri 1/72 Blue Angles F-18 in Model Zone this morning (did not buy it)

Is it any good? ie.against the Academy F-18's which I think are great (personal opinion)

[Giorgio N]

Unfortunately, it's a totally different animal, way inferior to the Academy kit (that is IMHO the best 1/72 Hornet on the market)

The italeri kit is quite dated, with raised panel lines and little detail. Fit is average. Now the raised panel lines can or not be a problem, but the fact that some of the moveable surfaces are depicted with raised panel lines is a bit worse. The various openings related to the gun (muzzle and air vents) are also absent.

Said that, the shape looks fine and the twin seater can be built from the same box. Can't see any other advantage of the Italeri kit however, apart from the price

[phat trev]

Unfortunately, it's a totally different animal, way inferior to the Academy kit (that is IMHO the best 1/72 Hornet on the market)

The italeri kit is quite dated, with raised panel lines and little detail. Fit is average. Now the raised panel lines can or not be a problem, but the fact that some of the moveable surfaces are depicted with raised panel lines is a bit worse. The various openings related to the gun (muzzle and air vents) are also absent.

Said that, the shape looks fine and the twin seater can be built from the same box. Can't see any other advantage of the Italeri kit however, apart from the price

Pleased i did not get it then! thanks Giorgio for that..

Can't believe i waked out without getting anything even though the other models I saw were an Academy Stuka and Italeri Falklands Harrier (both 1/72)

[Adam Maas]

If you want a cheap F-18, get the Hobbyboss. It's simple but nice (a simplified and scaled-down version of HB's 1/48 Hasegawa-clone). Much nicer than any of the other cheap options.

The Academy is by far the best Legacy Hornet in 1/72, the Hasegawa newer mold is the only competition and that only when acquired at a discount.

[Giorgio N]

If you want a cheap F-18, get the Hobbyboss. It's simple but nice (a simplified and scaled-down version of HB's 1/48 Hasegawa-clone). Much nicer than any of the other cheap options.

The Academy is by far the best Legacy Hornet in 1/72, the Hasegawa newer mold is the only competition and that only when acquired at a discount.

The only advantage of the HB kit over the italeri ones are IMHO the scribed panel lines and the better fit. But if the italeri kit has little detail, the HB one is even worse. At least Italeri offers an arresting hook !

[Smudge]

I have a few Hasegawa 'Blue Angels' Hornets, as I had a plan to build the team, but the yellow decals looked totally the wrong colour. I thought I might buy a few of these Italeri 'Angels for the decal sheet, now maybe not. I dont want a load of poor kits as well!

What do you guys make of the Fujimi 1/72 F/A-18 kit?

In Italeri's defence, I think they make the only two seat 'legacy' Hornet in 1/72. Or do they??

[Adam Maas]

Italieri decals and paint guides are notoriously incorrect for non-Italian subjects. Occasionally they get things right, usually only on the Super Decal Sheets though.

The Fujimi isn't bad, but hard to find, usually somewhat expensive and not as good in shape as the Academy and Hasegawa. Overall a pretty decent kit, I'd rate it a little behind the Hasegawa if it was readily available.

As to 2-holers, All the offerings discussed here can be had in 2-seat versions except maybe the Fujimi. HB and Hasegawa both have boxed their kits as a B, Academy offers only a D out of the box but if you get one of their A offerings you can build that as a C and use the A sprue to make an upgraded B from one of their D's (an early B would also need new instrument panels). Hasegawa is the only one to box as both a B and a D though and be reasonably accurate about both.

[-Neu-]

Italieri decals and paint guides are notoriously incorrect for non-Italian subjects. Occasionally they get things right, usually only on the Super Decal Sheets though.

The Fujimi isn't bad, but hard to find, usually somewhat expensive and not as good in shape as the Academy and Hasegawa. Overall a pretty decent kit, I'd rate it a little behind the Hasegawa if it was readily available.

As to 2-holers, All the offerings discussed here can be had in 2-seat versions except maybe the Fujimi. HB and Hasegawa both have boxed their kits as a B, Academy offers only a D out of the box but if you get one of their A offerings you can build that as a C and use the A sprue to make an upgraded B from one of their D's (an early B would also need new instrument panels). Hasegawa is the only one to box as both a B and a D though and be reasonably accurate about both.

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with this review. I've built (or building) all three manufacturers kits, and all versions of the legacy hornet, including A, B C, D and CF-18s. Hasegawa's probably the easiest to build, and on that issue alone deserves some merit. I tend to build them for that reason alone. The Academy kit is the nicest OOB, but its got problems as well. Shallow wheel bays, no intake trunkings are the two biggest issues. That should be fine for most people.

Fujimi is by far the toughest to build, and requires significant scratch building (like in the wheel bays and intakes.) Its got some shape issues too, but nothing definitive to my eye except with the tanks. However its also got full intake trunkings, which none of the other kits have; really nice details like photo etch slimelights, and cockpit mirrors. Its also has separate elevators, unlike Hasegawa, and the option to extend the crew ladder. The design of the wings makes it the easiest to modify with the flaps down position too. Hasegawa makes it impossible with actuators molded in, and Academy's one piece wing isn't as easy as fujimi's two part that allows for better sanding.

In my opinion, the Fujimi kit actually the best to create a very detailed hornet... just it takes time. They offers all versions (A, B, C, D and international), with an easy to install spotlight for CF-18s... there is much more flexibility with the kit. For academy, need to buy each specific version of the kit; I believe most fujimi kits are common, with the exception of single and dual seaters.

This has been a slow ongoing project of mine... two fujimi F/A-18Ds with AM decals from VMFA- 533 from iraq ...Sorry for the crappy photos on the last one... I took it for this post, but they show how nice the kits build up when given the time.

Edited March 30, 2013 by -Neu-

[Adam Maas]

Neu: I can see your point, but I still disagree and prefer the Academy & Hasegawa Hornets, but the intake trunking is a non-issue for me, its just not visible enough on 1/72 Hornets. Biggest issue for me with the Academy is the main LG and its lack of splayed legs. I do like universal boxings though (that said, the Academy A is a near-universal boxing, building an A or a C). If the Fujimi was more readily available I might come to prefer it over the Hasegawa, does the Fujimi come with 2 sets of tails? That's pretty much a must-have for a proper A/B. I also find the nose on the Fujimi looks fat, although that's a minor niggle.

The Fujimi kit is only marginally better for building a flaps-down aircraft as you need to drop the leading-edge flaps as well (they're down if the main flaps are down) and that is a royal PITA on all the 1/72 kits, which is why I generally don't do it despite it being the norm for a Legacy Hornet that's shut down.

Those are a nice pair of Hornets though, looking very good.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Adam Maas

[techniquest]

The Fujimi kit is over-engineered for a 1/72 Hornet (imho). Saying that, the Italeri / Revell kit is massively under-engineered. Nonetheless in Italeri's defense, it doesn't look too bad once it's built up.

[-Neu-]

Neu: I can see your point, but I still disagree and prefer the Academy & Hasegawa Hornets, but the intake trunking is a non-issue for me, its just not visible enough on 1/72 Hornets. Biggest issue for me with the Academy is the main LG and its lack of splayed legs. I do like universal boxings though (that said, the Academy A is a near-universal boxing, building an A or a C). If the Fujimi was more readily available I might come to prefer it over the Hasegawa, does the Fujimi come with 2 sets of tails? That's pretty much a must-have for a proper A/B. I also find the nose on the Fujimi looks fat, although that's a minor niggle.

The Fujimi kit is only marginally better for building a flaps-down aircraft as you need to drop the leading-edge flaps as well (they're down if the main flaps are down) and that is a royal PITA on all the 1/72 kits, which is why I generally don't do it despite it being the norm for a Legacy Hornet that's shut down.

Those are a nice pair of Hornets though, looking very good.

The fujimi does not have an A tail in that box, however it does allow for a C or CF-18 version in the box. Academy A does allow C, But not CF-18 or an A or CF-18 for the C. Hasegawa C kits do not allow for anything but a C... and you need to modify it to be a CF-18.

I actually do notice the intake trunking on the Fujimi kit. Its particularly noticeable on the Hasegawa kit, a little less so on the Academy kit. Its a bit tough to install, but it looks awesome. The difference between a big black hole and white intakes are unmistakeable. Its probably the biggest factor why I like the Fujimi over the academy.

Modding the wings are a pain in the bottom regardless, but the fujimi is the easiest of the bunch. The two part wing allows you to make an easier cut and modify. Its nearly impossible on the Hasegawa kit, while its easier on the Academy kit, the one piece wing does not leave any room for error.

The cockpits are an issue. Academy has full side consoles, which no other kit has. Hasegawa has nothing. I think the center console is about the same or a slight bit better on Fujimi vs Academy. The Fujimi HUD is alot better.

I guess I'm a bit defensive about the Fujimi kit because I think it gets unfairly slagged because its a tough kit, when it actually has some pretty great qualities which may make it a better kit. The way I see it is that each kit caters for a different market:

Hasegawa probably fits the low end and those who want a quick and easy build (its also the cheapest, usually)

Academy suits the mid range (and vast majority) of the market; modellers who want something pretty accurate OOB.

Fujimi really is a top end kit that requires a lot of work, but is the best base for detailed work.

[Smudge]

Interesting stuff guys. When you talk about different tail's, whats the difference? is it just the various antenna at the top of the tails? By the way, I found an interesting article on here about doing the Canadian Hornet, and it had photos of some interesting mods. Do any 1/72 kits have those little 'L' shaped strengthening plates at the lower base, on the inside of the tail's?

Also those little 'fins' on the LERX(?), they appear on the models pictured here (very nice by the way), are they aftermarket bits?

[-Neu-]

Interesting stuff guys. When you talk about different tail's, whats the difference? is it just the various antenna at the top of the tails? By the way, I found an interesting article on here about doing the Canadian Hornet, and it had photos of some interesting mods. Do any 1/72 kits have those little 'L' shaped strengthening plates at the lower base, on the inside of the tail's?

Also those little 'fins' on the LERX(?), they appear on the models pictured here (very nice by the way), are they aftermarket bits?

All of them have the brackets and LEX Fences now. Only the first few hundred As would not have those structural reinforcements.

Back in the mid 1980s the Canadian Air Force (who were known to ride their aircraft really hard) started discovering serious cracks in their tail assemblies. They were abusing their aircraft flying them alot in low level training over Europe with a lot of high alpha maneuvers where they saw the tails going through a lot of flexing. So the brackets and the LEX fences (which disrupt the airflow going to the tails) were installed on all aircraft, not just canadian ones. All aircraft were eventually retrofitted with these modifications.

Other modifications included the different systems added to the top of the tail like lights and sensors (I'm not sure exactly what is up there). The original As have only lights, later As have some sensors ect, and Cs have the most.

The Lex fences themselves should

They come with most if not all kits.

[Adam Maas]

The fujimi does not have an A tail in that box, however it does allow for a C or CF-18 version in the box. Academy A does allow C, But not CF-18 or an A or CF-18 for the C. Hasegawa C kits do not allow for anything but a C... and you need to modify it to be a CF-18.

I actually do notice the intake trunking on the Fujimi kit. Its particularly noticeable on the Hasegawa kit, a little less so on the Academy kit. Its a bit tough to install, but it looks awesome. The difference between a big black hole and white intakes are unmistakeable. Its probably the biggest factor why I like the Fujimi over the academy.

Modding the wings are a pain in the bottom regardless, but the fujimi is the easiest of the bunch. The two part wing allows you to make an easier cut and modify. Its nearly impossible on the Hasegawa kit, while its easier on the Academy kit, the one piece wing does not leave any room for error.

The cockpits are an issue. Academy has full side consoles, which no other kit has. Hasegawa has nothing. I think the center console is about the same or a slight bit better on Fujimi vs Academy. The Fujimi HUD is alot better.

I guess I'm a bit defensive about the Fujimi kit because I think it gets unfairly slagged because its a tough kit, when it actually has some pretty great qualities which may make it a better kit. The way I see it is that each kit caters for a different market:

Hasegawa probably fits the low end and those who want a quick and easy build (its also the cheapest, usually)

Academy suits the mid range (and vast majority) of the market; modellers who want something pretty accurate OOB.

Fujimi really is a top end kit that requires a lot of work, but is the best base for detailed work.

If you don't have an A tail, you can't do a CF-18 as the CF-188 is an A model (only external differences on as-delivered models are the spotlight and the LG Oleo's, the latter of which is unique to the CF-188), so the Fujimi doesn't allow for one, the spotlight, if present, would give you a Finnish or Swiss F-18C rather than a CF-18.

And you can do a CF-18 from the Academy A, at least with the 'In International Service' boxing (which is the version I buy for CF-18's) but to my knowledge the plastic is common across all the A boxings.

As to the Fujimi, I can't really consider it a higher-end kit than the Academy, exactly the opposite in fact. The Academy will produce the best Hornet given its state of the art surface detail and accurate outline. It will benefit from resin intakes and gear bays of course, as well as modifying or replacing the main LG legs as they sit wrong. I'd probably take the Fujimi over the Hasegawa for a detail-oriented build though. Note the Academy isn't the world's simplest build, the nose in particular takes some serious care to get it looking good, all that lovely detail (and optional parts) causes an over-complex nose assembly.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Adam Maas

[Adam Maas]

All of them have the brackets and LEX Fences now. Only the first few hundred As would not have those structural reinforcements.

Back in the mid 1980s the Canadian Air Force (who were known to ride their aircraft really hard) started discovering serious cracks in their tail assemblies. They were abusing their aircraft flying them alot in low level training over Europe with a lot of high alpha maneuvers where they saw the tails going through a lot of flexing. So the brackets and the LEX fences (which disrupt the airflow going to the tails) were installed on all aircraft, not just canadian ones. All aircraft were eventually retrofitted with these modifications.

Other modifications included the different systems added to the top of the tail like lights and sensors (I'm not sure exactly what is up there). The original As have only lights, later As have some sensors ect, and Cs have the most.

The Lex fences themselves should

They come with most if not all kits.

The Academy 'A' sprue has the A tails and the reinforcement brackets for the tails (which have one less ECM bulge than a C tail, note the bulges shift slightly between the A and the C so you can't do an accurate A just by removing the extra bulge. It's a minor detail though and can be ignored if you are doing a conversion). All Hornet tails have ECM antennas present, the C just has more equipment fitted.

The base Academy kit comes with the early and late C items, and an early C is almost identical to an A aside from the tails (there's some differences between an A or early C and late C right in front of the nose gear, Academy provides both configurations). Likewise the cockpit differences depend on update status, an early A has a different cockpit than a late/upgraded A or a C.

The LEX fences are added to all A models during their life, the Aussies were the last to outfit their full fleet but they had done so by the mid-1990's IIRC. The tail reinforcements came later but should be on all A's in active service today (some test mules in the US or Canada may lack them), both are linked to the same problem with the LERX vortices causing stress on the tails.