DrewH

So after thinking about it for a half glass of Scotch, I redid the intakes. Overall much better after the second time. Main fuselage is glued together with the intakes. This will take some time to clean up, fill, sand, rinse repeat at nauseam for a while till I get it acceptable. Nose wheel bay is in the forward half so I can start getting the cockpit aligned. The "fat Pylon" is done, this is likely the easiest part of this build. Only took 2 glasses of Scotch to get the courage to scratch build this. and lastly just because I know this exists - had to put the "ashtray" on the IP coaming It's actually an instrument mount which the pilot will install when needed. I think it's still one of those not to be mentioned items but I'm not sure. Anyway - back to toils of this beast. *Edit - sorry for the crapy iPhone pics I didn't rotate*

Thanks Breaker - thanks for the offer, no need as I'm all done making one. will get pics up shortly.

Thanks for the kind words gents! I have more done and will update with pics in the next day or two. Till then ........

Fantastic solutions Chuck! Well done!

This is blamed on Ron & Chuck - they badgered me to post these LOL - no laughing. Chuck's superb build a few years back (was it really that long ago?) is the inspiration to do this and my familiarity with the Hornet. Been wanting to do one of these for some time and finally got a kit late last year (I'm known to procrastinate). Cockpit is coming along - many knobs, decals and switches from Anyz in the Avionix tub (was a bit of a bad casting on the one side, so I added a few too many - learned for next time). Airscale instrument & cockpit decals round out the IP. Working on the GT seamless intakes - fairly straightforward. Used the 'latex dip' technique but wasn't deep enough. hit the mark on the outside keeping it level but the paint didn't come up the inside quite as far as it needed to be. I'm still debating if I'm going to redo them. Tail reinforcements were added as found on most all CF-18's. Tried the Flying Leatherneck vinyl ones, I used them as a template instead and made these and adding rivets with a beading tool. Detail on the tails are soft and needed lots of rework - which I suck at but am working on it. Good example of the disappearing panel lines. It'll be a slow process to redo and clean these up. In the mean time, working on the 'Fat Pylon' ECM housing, modifying the SAC gear oleo and lots of the fitting and research that goes along with a build of this size.

Still, hard to hear of such things to good people. Glad no one was hurt and the business will continue.

Great pics Pete! Especially the landing pattern instructions - which are almost bang on CF-5 markers (plus wind)

Not sure about all the Kinetic boxings but the one I have is a hard 6-3 wing which would be a Sabre Mk 5.

You're joking right? Modelers coming to a consensus I can't even come to a consensus on breakfast

Sounds good to me - look forward to the progress!

It'll be great I know it! We have a TF-104 here in Langley but I don't know what the access is now. We're currently on lockdown. If I can help please let me know - I know a retired RCAF Starfighter tech who may be able to answer specific q's. PM me as needed.

When I was flying the only pilots who cared about that were those who were modellers - and they were rare to find. And then, as a young pilot still learning the craft I had no time for models. I didn't start again into models or caring about the details for them till after I was out and had down time to do such things.

Right now I'm getting the same Chuck. Totally sux but better than courier and their $45 (or what ever) "brokerage" fee to bring it across the border.

I might know a bit about them (flew them) - I'll send you a PM. Never seen anything online for this plane.

Why shoot and waste munitions? I just flew past them in full burner they went and hid like a 2 year old under a blanket

Well yes among many others. Guaranteed his comments would be the basis for the MP's investigation as to the cause for the bar brawl that ensued.

I was trying to behave this weekend Dave........

I flew the tutor in early 90's as a CAF pilot. Later as a Flight Safety officer (black diamond badge on my flight suit) and investigator I've seen my fair share of military aircraft accidents. I'd climb in to any and all those aircraft at any time. They are that well maintained. Things go wrong, yes, same as your car. We're not taking '60's cars off the road for maintenance or safety due to an accident when someone was killed? There are risks in everything we do, how we mitigate those high risks, respect and understand them is part of the job that we accept. Just an FYI - I need more than one hand to count the number of friends I lost in the Canadian Forces. All flight related during peace time training. I especially won't speculate even with what I know - as a thought is purely that of what the cause may be - as not only is it fruitless but irresponsible and reckless. Nor will I make statements as to the limitations of systems. A lot of issues will be raised, the most important is to learn from every link in the chain of events. I ask this community to refrain from speculation and respect the memory of Capt. Casey by doing so.

Yup - nothing but normal for resin parts. Sometimes even serious grinding and sanding isn't enough. As others have done this kit with the Aries pit - I'd say it's just down to how much fitting is needed. Find where the parts are too wide, start by sanding the interior of the fuselage halves to thin the plastic there first, then again on the tub where there is excess that doesn't match the curve of the fuselage. Inevitably a Dremel with a grinding bit is your best friend in these situations. Check the plastic against a light often to make sure you're stopping when the plastic is thin but not too thin that you risk blowing a hole in the side of the kit. Or forget it and use the kit cockpit - it fits pretty good without modification. Use the resin parts to detail as you can (cut off and use as scab on parts) or as a template for some scratch building.

If you read this: http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3189 It states at the bottom: Model Features: Halberstadt Cl.II escort fighter and ground support aircraft. I'll leave that to you gents to go wild with that one.

beautiful spark bug. looks stunning and a fantastic finish!

Great photo Jari - Thank you. I swear I went through that album but didn't see this one. Thank you for posting.

Thank you Maru! Great ebook site. may just become a member there to see what all they have to read.

Great! Thanks Nick. I'll see where I can find the book. Cheers!