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RAAF 77SQN F/A-18As


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I will be joining with two builds, firstly the classic Hasegawa 1/72 kit using Hawkeye decals for a delivery scheme 77SQN jet.

 

Next will be another 77SQN jet from the Academy 1/72 kit with OP Okra markings. 

 

I had planned both wheels up but I have a bit of AM for the Academy kit in the form of folded and drooped flap/slat wings which I should use.

 

Images to come....

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So here are the kits, first the Academy kit and decals

51804871721_167246163a_b.jpg

 

Lots of parts.

51804871706_3b1fef3b64_b.jpg

 

and a better look at the decals. The kit also includes another more colourful aftermarket RAAF decal for the 30th Anniversary of the Hornet in RAAF service, they will go into the spares box.

51805225799_e2320ed8f7_b.jpg

 

Next the Hasegawa kit and decals.

51805229029_1d1380de91_b.jpg

 

Not as many parts, and they are blue!

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This box actually had 2 kits crammed in it, I'll be using the Blue Angels boxing for this build.

 

The decals again, kit and aftermarket.

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In my stash hunt I also found this classic boxing. It was first issued in the early eighties for the Aussie market with prototype sprues and white plastic (I built one back then). This boxing was the second issue with production model sprues (the same as the VFA-113 Stingers boxing above and the decals and instructions for that kit as well), the RAAF decals were very generic as per the box top as no Aussie Hornet had flown at that point. 

51803912807_f1ee162af5_b.jpg

 

As I said I have some aftermarket, ejection seats, wings and refuelling probes that I will try and incorporate into these builds. Time to find them I suppose.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

 I started work on the Hasegawa kit the other day, and due to @Pappy's bad influence (too much skill detailing his builds) I decided to jazz up the area behind the cockpit. It is nowhere near accurate but as mine will be wheels up as well will add some interest to that area under the glass.

 

I have a resin nose section to show the refuelling probe out (well 3 in fact) and decided I would finally use one.

51829779453_f569c51636_b.jpg

51829663986_956444475f_b.jpg

 

First attempt at the deck just using paint

51829663971_e06034806c_b.jpg

 

Bits gone in under the LEXes with only a small amount of filler

51830005914_28d79d30dc_b.jpg

 

The new rear deck

51828708502_53af9697d3_b.jpg

and inst panel installed

51828708487_5852f40d8f_b.jpg

 

Wings are on now and the gear doors are going on next

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15 hours ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

 I started work on the Hasegawa kit the other day, and due to @Pappy's bad influence (too much skill detailing his builds) I decided to jazz up the area behind the cockpit. It is nowhere near accurate but as mine will be wheels up as well will add some interest to that area under the glass.

 

Pappy is definitely a bad influence...got to watch out for that guy.  :whistle:

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11 hours ago, helios16v said:

 

Pappy is definitely a bad influence...got to watch out for that guy.  :whistle:

Hey, I resemble that remark!

 

P

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G'day Ray!

 

Lookin' good (well as good as any 'Malfunction Junction' jets can 😁) already, the u/c doors don't really want to fit in the closed position do they. I spent quite some time getting a decent fit. looking forward to more progress,

 

cheers,

 

Pappy

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Snappy progress, Ray, and it's looking very good. I like that the airbrake is cracked open a smidge and I'm looking forward to your next steps. An extended refuelling probe will add to the appeal!

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Snappy progress, Ray, and it's looking very good. I like that the airbrake is cracked open a smidge and I'm looking forward to your next steps. An extended refuelling probe will add to the appeal!

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On 1/25/2022 at 2:31 PM, Wings unlevel said:

Nice build so far - but with your filling did you miss a spot? On the underside between the engines there’s a rather large hole? 😉 🤣

 

Looking forward to seeing how you mount it.

The hole is obviously the APU exhaust ! :P

 

Now remounted on a repurposed stand which will be refurbished. The refuelling probe needs some paint, decals and I need to decide on a warload.

 

51851234220_7e195e4767_b.jpg

51849616887_ac797b423a_b.jpg

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On 1/20/2022 at 6:01 PM, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

 I started work on the Hasegawa kit the other day, and due to @Pappy's bad influence (too much skill detailing his builds) I decided to jazz up the area behind the cockpit. It is nowhere near accurate but as mine will be wheels up as well will add some interest to that area under the glass.

 

I have a resin nose section to show the refuelling probe out (well 3 in fact) and decided I would finally use one.

51829779453_f569c51636_b.jpg

51829663986_956444475f_b.jpg

 

First attempt at the deck just using paint

51829663971_e06034806c_b.jpg

 

Bits gone in under the LEXes with only a small amount of filler

51830005914_28d79d30dc_b.jpg

 

The new rear deck

51828708502_53af9697d3_b.jpg

and inst panel installed

51828708487_5852f40d8f_b.jpg

 

Wings are on now and the gear doors are going on next

Nice stuff Ray. Who's the resin nose by?

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12 hours ago, Andwil said:

That proposed VIP transport will get Sco Mo to his holidays quickly, but it will be a mite cramped for him!

 

AW

Lemme guess, the camping gear goes in one tank and the fridge supplies and fishing rods go in the other?

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I had been distracted by my Matchbox GB entry so not much has been done.

 

I managed to figure out a war load for it. A couple of AIM-9s some, GBU-12s and a targeting pod (the base is now more anonymous as well :D )

51861423219_bd47127c39_b.jpg

 

The refuelling probe is painted and fitted, It might need some tweaking.

51861423249_b9092e5231_b.jpg

 

All that is left is some detail paint and decals, fit the weapons.

 

If you squint a bit it does not look too bad.

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Some decaling started, I went with national and squadron insignia first.

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51873039176_8102a1e82c_b.jpg

 

And came across an issue the whites under the roundels and a tad too big.

51873039081_65b2ee32c7_b.jpg

 

So I'll have to mask and paint over them to get rid of the white outline or replace them with another set of roundels.

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