Hi
I shelved this kit a while back after problems with the paint job, but recently decided to strip the enamel paint back and re-spray with Gunze acrylics. I’ve blended the two tone scheme and have put down some Future in preparation for decals. The markings will be for VFA-27 “Royal Maces”.
For the external stores I’m just fitting whatever looks cool. Thanks for looking.
Glad to see she’s back on the bench! From what I have heard, that is a great kit and I have seen some spectacular build-ups of it. Keep us posted on your progress with it! [:D]
What a coincidence. I’m going to post F/A-18D Hornet “Night Attack” 1:32 - also from Academy and I see this thread on top of the page. Your C version looks so far so good.
Thanks guys. I noticed your f-18 , awsome job! I do expect to finish mine this time round[:-^]
So far the Academy kit has gone together with no dramas, although I have used Eduard PE on the exterior which improves some areas.
Nice save Lloyd!
Nothing quite like doing CPR on one that’s been collecting dust, and it looks like the Hornet is coming to!! [tup]
Look forward to the updates! [:)]
Take care,
Frank
Added some decals. I’m liking the low-vis markings as I wanted this to look like a work-horse Hornet, no-frills. Putting down the ‘no-step’ decals is however, no-fun.
She’s lookin pretty good!
Looking good!!! I also did the “C” a while back, loved every minute of it, such a well done kit. I also did the “D” model as well, for my bro(while he was in Iraq)VMFA(aw)332(markings in kit were wrong) it was nice to have pics of the real thing e-mailed on a daily basis!!!
If mine looks as good as that I’ll be happy. Just weathering the fuse, I’ll find some inspiration in those shots. Thanks!
Glad you ressurected her, Lloyd! Gunze paints are great, too…she’ll be a stunner when you;re done!
Those are some beautiful Hornets! I hope to begin building mine very soon. [:)]
I added an oil wash to bring out the panel lines, but it needs some more retouching with the airbrush which I’ll do later.
I also started work on a base as you can see here. The scene will be guiding the F-18 onto the catapault (not launching). I have some figures from this F-18 kit and my 1/32 Tamiya Tomcat, but I think their outfits look pre-90’s so may need some updating.
Lloyd
The launch diorama will look great!
Thanks! I wasn’t too sure if that base shape would look any good. Hopefully once I get the depth (it should be up to an inch deep) I think it should work ok.
Another update. Haven’t done much on the F-18 apart from the wash/weathering which turned out ok (I prefer pre-shading which I probably should have used instead) The wash seeped under some decals which will require retouching. That was mainly because of the paint repair job was a bit uneven, some decals silvered slightly.
I’ve also been building up the base which turned out to be more involved than I originally intended. I decided to lay out tile sections and fill them with plaster and gap sealant (polyfilla its called here). I hope after much sanding I’ll lend up with a convincing tarmac appearance.
I decided to press on and get the jet finished, and it seems to be coming together ok. Paint is a little uneven, noticable compared to the drop-tanks ( I finally got to grips with the old airbrush) but the weathering ties it together ok.
I never got around to putting these shots up before, never been published as far as I know, so here’s an image dump of the final diorama from 2009. The deck crew were hand modelled in Sculpey from scratch, and cast in resin.
Looks great! Ready to launch! Amazing job on the deck crew!
Great job Lloyd! Very impressive! The detail is awesome and the figures…wow!
Eagle90