Revell Maverick's F/A-18E Super Hornet (03864) 1:48 Revell

[Julien]

Maverick's F/A-18E Super Hornet (03864)

1:48 Revell

 

 

The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is the second generation F/A-18 following on the the F/A-18C. The F/A-18E was developed from the original Hornet and while it may look alike its very much a new aircraft which is 25% bigger. The US Navy managed to keep the F/A-18 designation partly to make the US Congress believe it would be a low risk development from the original aircraft (not the first time in US Aviation this has happened). The new aircraft was ordered in 1992 with a first flight in 1995. The aircraft introduced a new era in electronics including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, bigger displays and a helmet mounted sighting system. To date the Super Hornet has replaced the legacy Hornet in all US Navy operations apart from the USN Aerobatic Team The Blue Angels, and even they will have transitioned by 2021. As well as the E model there is the two seat F model, and the latest development the G or "Growler" Electronic Warfare Aircraft. 

 

Now the US Navy have made the second part of their drama/documentary "Top Gun", called "Top Gun Maverick". Here we get to see how our favourite US Navy fighter Pilot is doing. Fans will be glad to know he is still in the Navy and not reduced to flying plane loads of rubber dog out of Hong Kong. Though with his record we are not shocked to see he has not climbed very far up the USN promotion ladder.  He now has to train young pilots which remind him of himself for a new dangerous mission *yada yada yada". Que all the same stuff from Part I of the documentary with some equally good, if not better? flight scenes. Though unfortunately this time the rather excellent Grumman Tomcat (we miss you!) has been replaced by the new Boing Super Borenet. It seems to have now replaced everything in the USN  The reviewer makes no apology for his fondness of the Mighty Tomcat, and derision at its replacement *(this may not necessarily reflect the views of Birtmodeller.com and its owner)

 

The Kit

This is was Revell's attempt to break into the F/A-18E market back in 2005. The kit is good, but perhaps could have been better but came in well under the price of its nearest competitor making it a sensible option for a lot of modellers, and to be honest with some decent work it builds up to a good looking model. Now in a tie in with Paramount Pictures its back with Mav doing his "piloting stuff".

 

 

 

Construction starts in the cockpit with the four part ejection seat. This fits into the cockpit tub along with the control column and instrument panel. The side consoles are provided as decals, and all the instruments displays are individual decals. For the top fuselage half the spine is fitted along with a pair of inserts. We then move to the lower half, the complete cockpit tub is added  then the intakes are assembled and fitted. These are full length with engine faces. An insert goes in at the rear to mount the tailplanes and then the main fuselage can be closed up.  The nose section can then be assembled and added to the main fuselage. Now at the real the vertical stabilisers and tailplanes can be added on.  The exhausts and arrestor hook can then also go on the rear.  The front gear is assembled and along with the doors are put onto the front of the aircraft.  This is followed by the main landing gear and it's doors. Under the wings the flap actuators and pylons go on. Revell provide a range of things which go bang or whoosh to hang under the wings along with a centre ling fuel tank. To finish off the canopy can be positioned open or closed, if open then a boarding ladder can be made up and fitted. 

 

 

 

 

 

Markings

The decal sheet from cartograf (so no issues there) provides the one option to do the Aircraft from the film, so no surprises there. 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

This should make up to a good looking model if you really have to have one from the film, 

 

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit   or
 

[Paramedic]

Yeah, could be cool to get this one. Just need to see the movie first, lol.

[treker_ed]

Bought one, but I'll be going for aftermarket decals - movie tie ins are not my thing.

 

Only got one cause I'd been looking for one of these kits for a while, and not been re-issued - now re-done but with tie in only!!!!

[Paramedic]

Hey, those decals.. Hmm.. Selling?

 

[Dizzyduck]

So , where would we put this kit compared to the hobby boss offering? I’ve just picked one up for £25 and it (the HB one )comes with  3 sets of colourful decals, you see where I’m going ?

[Giorgio N]

23 minutes ago, Dizzyduck said:

So , where would we put this kit compared to the hobby boss offering? I’ve just picked one up for £25 and it (the HB one )comes with  3 sets of colourful decals, you see where I’m going ?

 

They are different aircraft, the HB kits cover the previous generation Hornets, this one is of the Super Hornet, similar but different 

[Dizzyduck]

Ok thanks, I realised that after posting 😴I can be a Bit slow sometimes 🤪