Blue Angels F/A-18A Hornet

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey All,
I’m planning on building the 1/48 Blue Angel Hornet…and I’m looking for advice on:

  1. Does anyone make a good aftermarket cockpit for the 18A, and if so, whose is the best?
  2. Does anyone have any cockpit photos of the real bird?
  3. What’s the best way to get a REALLY glossy finish for the paint job?
    Thanks in advance for any and all help!!
    John
2

Try Aircraft Resource Center for Cockpit photos. Black Box may still make their cockpit for the Hornet although I am not sure. I think that CAM has a nice set for the Blues in 1/48. I am not sure about 1/32 or 1/72. PLEASE do not use the Monogram kit, it will not do the Blues justice. Use Hasegawa if you work in 1/48 or Academy if you work in 1/32.

And for golley sake welcome to the forum. The water’s nice and it’s all fine. Take care.

3

Speaking of the Blue’s does anyone know when they started in the Hornet and why the stiill have the A’s not the C’s or for God’s sake even the E model’s Thanks.

4

The first demonstration year for the F/A-18 was the 1987 season. I don’t know why they haven’t gone to a later model, except possibly for cost reasons.
Thx, John

5

I too am interested in doing the blues and will watch this thread for help also.

6

couple reasons possibly

  1. cost
  2. the A is more agile than the C
  3. why?
  4. the superbug is a dog compared to the A
7

Jimz66,
I retired from the Navy 28 1/2 years…my last tour was as the Force Master Chief for the Naval Air Training Command. The Blue Angels reported to us. They are still in their original version of the F-18 because it works and it is a workhorse. There is no need for them to upgrade because they have ben doing the same mission from the beginning. The aircraft is actually pretty much gutted out so it’s fairly light for what they do…and yes it is a matter of dollars…but they still look good…Fly Navy!