Alan P Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Hi everyone, it's Hornet Groupbuild time! I'm a big fan of the F-18 in its various guises, but an STGB calls for something special, right? This is a great scheme for the Super Bug, all the more for being really clean https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VFA/VFA-154_DAT/VFA-154-Black-Knights-086.jpg (link to seaforces.org) The hi-viz, multi-coloured markings, glossy black spine and red cheatlines are really cool. Even better, this is the box art and main decal scheme in the Revell Super Bug kit. The 1/32 version is big, brash and a lot of hard work to be honest Lots in the very big box - the beautiful decal sheet which would set you back a good £15-20 if it was aftermarket. If it's anything like the previous issue, these decals will be superb. Very thick, well-produced A4 instruction booklet running to over 20 pages. The new Revell instruction style is a gigantic improvement over their previous efforts. The only aftermarket I'm using is the MasterCasters SJU-17 seats. Even these might be a bit of overkill as I plan to have pilots in the seats with the aircraft posed in flight. There's a nice selection of ordnance, which looks accurate and pretty well detailed. I might mix up the underwing load a bit with maybe goofy tanks and JSOWs, but who knows at this stage? Thanks to a spoilt canopy in the original kit issue, I ended up with three, courtesy of the retailer (Jumblies Models) and Revell's efficient spare parts dept. I'll be using the spoilt copy as a mask for painting. The original Revell 1/32 Superbug (F/A-18E) has a dire reputation which appears to be driven by an unfavourable early build review on Big'n'Tall Airplanes. In my opinion the reviewer gave up far too easily and seems to have expected Tamiya-like fit for a Revell price. I built the last one in two weeks during the 2020 lockdown and although it certainly had its challenges, most of it fit well, especially the one-piece top section, which is a huge piece of plastic. As you can see from the paint pot, this is a BIG kit when finished! This time around will definitely take a lot longer to build due to my crazy work schedule this winter (we have five possible daily shifts now operating 24H 0600-0600!) All the best with your builds folks! Alan 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freester Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 The hairs on the back of my neck actually stood up looking at the pics of the kit and the 'one you made earlier'. It's a big'un for sure I look forward to seeing how this will pan out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anatol Pigwa Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 WOW, Alan, you really are in a league of your own with this one.! Good thing you can build the kit in a "wings folded" position. I am sure you will get a lot of followers on this one!. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Blimey that's a big one, as the actress said. You'll need the whole three months for that! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Definitely one to watch. Having seen the excellent (and really fast) job you have just done on Revell's new SR-71 I am looking forward to seeing what you can do with this one. You certainly get a lot of plastic for your money don't you and as you say the decal sheet will be excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 You're a brave one, Gunga Din! (err, Alan) I was just looking for possible 1/48 Hornet extras... I mean assistance... and saw a decal sheet with that paint job. Having just told someone that I wasn't (yet?) interested in Super Hornets, I thought, "That's the sort of thing that might change my mind!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wings unlevel Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 That’s one big bug! I’ll follow your build with equal parts trepidation and anticipation! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 WOW going big or going home!!!! This will be one too follow as my shelf space is too small to try one myself 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Wow, this will be a huge project! Enjoy it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 (edited) Oh my giddy aunt! Edited January 10, 2022 by Sam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 Honest guv, I will start this tomorrow! Great vibe going on already with this GB 👍 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTninja Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 After watching your SR-71 build, im looking forward to this one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 After the Blackbird, I expected you to be finished by now. 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 I’m in too please. This would be too big for me in 1/32 but I have an almost complete 1/48 Hasegawa version in a box somewhere so perhaps this will nudge me to find and finish it. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 On 1/12/2022 at 7:58 AM, Biggles87 said: I’m in too please. Cheers John, welcome! A bit later than advertised, it's just too cold in my modelli.ng shed to do anything right now, curse this sunny winter weather 😬 I kind of forgot what a slog this kit is - lots of parts moulded like this. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted / spoilt brats! It does, however, have probably the most accurate depth wheelwells of any F/A-18 kit. Build progress starts with the engine intake trunks and main wheelwells, weirdly enough... This buildup is fiddly but knocks spots off the usual flat-bottom wells. Here's the completed intake section - this really fills up the void inside the large rear fuselage and adds some depth and strength to the structure. It's a fussy build progression though, more like a Kitty Hawk kit than a Revell. Pleased to have got this far on day 1: Those large side fascias fit really well, as do the inner curved parts of the engine intakes. No complaints from me, just the usual cleanup of the seams. The instructions say those transverse bulkheads need 0.5mm shaving off the top, but i don't remember them being a big problem on my last build. I'll see how it goes, but after a couple of hours in 4deg C temperatures, I'd had enough! At least I've made a start, ready to continue! Alan 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Now that you mention it, it is hard to imagine that complicated main gear and tyre tucking into the wells on the Monogram 48th kit (I just took another look). Still, your skeleton looks rather intimidating! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Impressive progress in a short time. My modelling ' cave ' is pretty cold too, I can just about manage an hour in the afternoon with an oil filled radiator before my fingers start to protest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Off to a very nice start Alan, that has built up nicely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Of course, the ceiling of the bay is the intake trunking! Good progress there Alan. Why don't you work indoors? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 3 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said: Why don't you work indoors? The most loaded of questions...🤣 The other occupants of the home don't appreciate the fragrant scent of Mr Cement and MRP in the morning... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Bertie Psmith I hope you noticed the lighting effect I was trying to emulate for the photos? (It's just the reflection of my halogen heater lamp, but reminded me of your project!) 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 7 hours ago, Biggles87 said: Impressive progress in a short time. My modelling ' cave ' is pretty cold too, I can just about manage an hour in the afternoon with an oil filled radiator before my fingers start to protest. Same! I've added a halogen heater lamp this year, it adds a few degrees to the fridge-like environment. Anything less than 10C ambient temperature and I'll be struggling in here... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Right now it is about -17 C, with strong wind. I think I'll stay inside (until I go to the barn at 5:30). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 7 hours ago, Alan P said: @Bertie Psmith I hope you noticed the lighting effect I was trying to emulate for the photos? (It's just the reflection of my halogen heater lamp, but reminded me of your project!) that’s exactly the thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Back out in the shed for a quick freeze: I managed to get to the point I was hoping to get to...fuselage completed. Despite the kit's poor rep, it does fit together reasonably well, but it sure isn't Lego! I knew where the pitfalls in this kit lie from my last build, so managed to avoid the worst and keep everything aligned by disregarding the instructions and assembling the wings before attaching the top half to the fuselage. Even the intake underside/wheelwells join is virtually seamless this time around. Only the usual seams to fill, the side fascias and underwing/intakes joint is pretty tight. The only major flaw is the area just bottom right of the right intake. Otherwise it's all looking good! Up to step 28 of the instructions and only now about to start the cockpit. I'll be nicking the crew figures from the Academy Hornet and using the MasterCasters seats, but they can all be added later. Alan 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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