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Academy F/A-18D Hornet


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Finally finished 9 years after I bought the model and at least 6 years after I started it!

Academy Hornet

Blackbox cockpit

Aires front U/C bay

Airs GBU bombs

Zacto sidewinders

Lots of Eduard etch

SAC metal U/C

Aires exhausts (undersized)

Gunze Sangyo for all airbrushed paint, vallejo for cockpit and detail, MIG oils for weathering

2H Pencil for panel lines

I made a LOT of mistakes but also learnt a lot on my first 1/32nd jet. I will pin all weapons next time for a start and do the windscreen and canopy ASAP. Many of the problems where just due to my inability to focus and complete the model. Therefore it lay around and got knocked around.

Here is the WIP

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234980177-132nd-academy-fa-18d-hornet-3715-calling-time-on-this-one/

This is my second completion this years (after a Trumpeter F-106) and I would not let myself move on until I had finished these 2 models. Next stop 1/72nd CMR Buccaneer (I am a huge Buccaneer fan and as some of you may know the lucky, privileging owner of Buccaneer XX894 as well as a member of the amazing Buccaneer Aviation Group). For this kick in the bottom and change in focus I must thank Steve (FRITAG), Neil (WOODY37), Bill (NAVYBIRD) and Andy (MELCHETT) as big inspirations on how it should be done!

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Edited by crobinsonh
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What a brilliant example of this excellent kit! Very good weathering, reminiscent of the real thing.

Great work and lots of nice photos, well done.

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Looks great and well done to you for seeing it through to the end!

Can you tell me your approach to the canopy seals?

Regards

Richard C

Hi Richard,

It was actually much easier than I thought. I just cut Tamiya masking tape to really thin strips to mask it and then used Gunze Sangyo paints matched to a photo I had for the colour. Hope that answers your question and thanks for your comments.

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Wow! Just a beautifully finished kit there. Not often do you see the coloured stars and bars on front-line a/c these days (that's the US Marines for you, I suppose).

Superb subtle but appropriate weathering.

Stunning all around.

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Wow! Just a beautifully finished kit there. Not often do you see the coloured stars and bars on front-line a/c these days (that's the US Marines for you, I suppose).

Superb subtle but appropriate weathering.

Stunning all around.

I agree - I loved the schemes of the 60's, 70's early 80's. The best markings ever where on the USN and USMC aircraft IMO. At some point I am planning on a 1/32nd Tomcat in something like the early Wolf pack markings. All those lovely colours on a beautiful airframe.

Thanks for your kind comments

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  • 1 month later...

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