1/72 Academy F/A-18A 1986 Libya strike

[Phantome]

Long time no see Britmodeller, but I have not been resting on my laurels.

 

Here's the Academy 1/72 Hornet from the 1986 Libya strike. At least I hope it is. Markings come from one of the Aeromaster Stinging Hornets set and has aircraft 203 from VFA-132 Privateers. I'm not sure if this particular aircraft flew in the strike (I know 200 did) but I will assume that it did. The aircraft is armed with a pair of AGM-88 HARM missiles as in real life, with accompanying AIM-9s and AIM-7s. The aircraft is painted using Gunze colors in the original Hornet colors of Light Ghost Gray (FS 36375) over Light Gray (FS 36495). I'm still not quite convinced about the accuracy of Gunze's LGG. I feel it has a purplish tint that shouldn't be there. Metal surfaces were painted with Citadel metallics (old formula). I used white missile markings as I have seen some pictures where they were still carried around this time. The HARM markings were taken from a Revell F/A-18F decal sheet and the HARMs themselves from a Revell F-16C kit. A Windsor & Newton pigment marker was used for the red edges of the bay doors.

 

I love the Academy legacy Hornet. It has some fit issues (dry fitting strongly recommended) and the nose is a complicated 4-piece setup but it looks gorgeous once built. There was no aftermarket used as none was needed although the cockpit, while detailed, might not be enough for purists. A bit of filling and sanding was needed to remove some of the bumps that are not appropriate for a mid-1980s Hornet.

 

Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave N]

Wow- that's a great looking Hornet. Modern jets aren't really my thing tbh, but this is a really nice work in 1/72.   Cheers, Dave

[modelling minion]

That's a fantastic looking Hornet.

Great job on the painting and nice, subtle and realistic weathering.

Well done.

 

Craig.

[Vultures1]

Great looking Hornet!!  Love the subtle paintwork and weathering