Creepy Pete Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Hello, Here's my just finished 1/48 Kinetic F/A-18C Hornet, done as a VFA-81 jet from the 1991 Gulf War. I was originally going to build this for the DS GB here on BM, but I never really took in progress pics of it. Oh well... The kit is not the easiest to work with, especially around the nose and intakes, but I've learned from it, so a future build might be easier to put together. Other things used were a Walleye and data link pod from Astra Resin, a pilot figure from PJ Productions, and a laser spot tracker pod from the Hobbyboss Hornet kit. Painted with Mr Color mostly, and a VMS flat coat, which I really like. And the real one during ODS: Thanks for looking, I hope you like it. Pete 57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Excellent definitely captures the grubbiness of a typical USN Hornet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albymoore Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Pete, Excellent work, especially on that finish! Looks even better here on my computer monitor than it did on my phone at our other hangout. Cheers, Albert 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 That's some outstanding work you've done. You've captured the finish of the real airplane exceptionally well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Looks fine, like the faded greyish look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I was all ready to say "No way were Walleyes used in DS!!!" Then . . . smack . . . . there is a photo of a Walleye on a Hornet. Amazing. I thought for sure those things would have been retired by '91. Just goes to show how little I know. As for your model? Fantastic. I wish I could have a Hornet 1/10 as good as yours. Well done, expert weathering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raygunsnap Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Ad-4N said: I was all ready to say "No way were Walleyes used in DS!!!" Then . . . smack . . . . there is a photo of a Walleye on a Hornet. Amazing. I thought for sure those things would have been retired by '91. Just goes to show how little I know. As for your model? Fantastic. I wish I could have a Hornet 1/10 as good as yours. Well done, expert weathering. I reported to VA-35 (also in CVW-17) in 1991, right after Desert Storm. Our A-6Es and the FA-18Cs of both VFA-81 and VFA-83 were all capable of employing the AGM-62 Walleye II Extended Range Data Link (ERDL), which was still in service. In fact, the manuals said at the time that the Walleye II warhead was the most powerful non-nuclear weapon available to the Navy. Even though it was in the same weight class as a Mk-84 (2000 lbs), the Walleye II warhead’s design was more advanced. And that’s a great Sunliner Hornet! That’s exactly how they looked. Edited May 12, 2021 by Raygunsnap 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Very nicely done, good to see a different Load out ordinance too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Very nicely done, love the out of the ordinary load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Great work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Fantastic work! Looks so very realistic! Cheers Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 That's really nice! You've absolutely nailed the weathered look of the real thing and nice to see a more unusual weapon load too - well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collin Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 On 5/11/2021 at 6:04 PM, Ad-4N said: I was all ready to say "No way were Walleyes used in DS!!!" Then . . . smack . . . . there is a photo of a Walleye on a Hornet. Amazing. I thought for sure those things would have been retired by '91. Just goes to show how little I know. A-7’s dropped Walleye II as well. Guy in my Airwing was a former A-7 driver (flying Hornets when I knew him) and was kinda famous for dropping his WEII and smacking his target, while his wingman’s AAW data link pod went bad....so he tuned up his buddies Walleye II with his pod and drove that one into the target. Walleye had a uniquely developed warhead, so a bit more powerful and destructive than a normal MK-84 warhead. Cheers Collin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Great work!! Wonder why this weapon was not used on if so successful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreeBee Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Awsome 👍🏼 Greetzzz, Andre´ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 Thanks guys, glad you like it. About the use of the Walleye in DS. According to a book that I have, 131 Walleyes were expended during the war, primarily by A-7E's. Why so few? I don't know, but usually those big precision weapons like the GBU-24, GBU-15 and the Walleye are reserved for high value targets that need a big bang to destroy it. Not too many around of those. The photo below was taken during Desert Shield on the USS John F Kennedy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanfrandragon Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 As others have said you’ve captured the faded paint and grubbiness perfectly. Interesting info on the Walleye too, it looks massive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramtin Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Wow nice one! Working on my second kut which is an f-18D at the moment. Will use this awesome weathering and paintjob as a bit of a reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGKent Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Nice HORNET, Pete! Looks realistic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Very nice and happy to see this very rare combination . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 That's a brilliant model, superb painting and weathering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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