DMunne

Mike, PWMP made a set a while back. I wonder who might have a set laying around. Oh yeah, that would be me. I'll toss it in the box coming your way. Your Friend, David

Without a doubt, AIRES all the way. In detail alone the AIRES set is head and shoulders above Teknics, and WolfPack. Teknics are down right hard to find anymore, with the demise of Meteor Productions. WolfPack is notorious for serious shrinkage. I have not heard one single person that has a set say that their set hasn't shrunk to the point of being close to unusable. To be fair WolfPack is aware of the issue and may have taken steps to correct it already. A close second would be to order the 2 sets of the Tamiya F-16CJ nozzle parts from HLJ or Rainbow 10. Sincerely, David

Oh someone else did them. LINKY! I have a set. If interested $10 shipped as long as your in the U.S. A little more if outside the U.S. Sincerely, David

Sabre, First, you have to decide which variant or time frame you want to build. Do you have a particular set of markings in mind? Or maybe a timeframe? The Tomcat changed so much over time that their really isn't a typical Tomcat. I personally like the more modern ones, a F-14B or F-14D. Lots more weapon options as well as I think the gray jets are cool. Also Which boxing did you get? Original, 1994, or Black Knights. That also may come in to factor. Here's my recommendations: F-14A or F-14A+(Desert Storm'ish, later changed to F-14B) - AIRES all the way F-14A(Late, has a HUD) or F-14B(Late, with HUD)- Black Box F-14B cockpit F-14D- Black Box F-14D For the B & D you'll also need some engines- AIRES recommended. There are others though, WolfPack, Teknics, Order the sprues from the Tamiya F-16CJ kits. For what it's worth, Crash

Well I did say most. Nothing wrong with being lazy either. Ok, I'll settle for both rubber and plastic. Good compromise. Sincerely, Crash BTW- your avatar.

I'll agree with that. Most modelers HATE rubber tires. Very hard to paint and weather. Sincerely, Crash

If it is, I almost hate to say it out loud, for fear of jinxing it. But it does bear a striking resemblance to a Buccaneer S.2 nose gear leg. Sincerely, Crash

:thumbsup: That would be ME! I'll be your new best friend. Sincerely, Crash

Chris, You'll love the kit. Absolutely a wonderful model by just about anyones standard. The only "need" in my book, is to replace the main gear with metal ones. As designed by Academy, the kit main gear struts will sag over time. You have two coices, SAC and G-Factor. G-Factor replaces all the gear (nose and main) and all the bits that go with those with metal. The SAC gear replaces just the main struts with metal and you add the kit plastic bits to them, plus you use the kits plastic nose gear strut. SAC is cheaper but G-Factor is stronger. About the only other thing wrong with the kit is the intakes. The trunks are too skinny. You can replace these with D-Mold or Seamless Suckers. Of course most USMC D's have covers over the intakes while on the ground, so this my not be an issue for your build. HTH, Crash

I've built two Hornet's so far, on both I folded the wings. Between me and my two other 1/32 scale modeling buddies, we have ten Hornets between us (we live in a navy town). When you glue the wings together, just clamp them and hold them straight while drying. My friend who did the last 'straight wing" F-18 taped them to his desk overnight while the glue dried, and had absolutely no problem. HERE is a build over on Z5 where the builder did just that. Back to work on my VFA-94 Hornet I'm building now. When I get it done I'll post some pics in RFI section. Sincerely, Crash

Daywalker, All my Academy F/A-18's have had warped wings. I have found that if you glue and clamp, they will straighten out just fine. HTH, Crash

I would, but there is no kit in 32nd scale. That's why I started the thread. I've tried to scratch one twice now, but can't seem to get it right. Don't let the simplicity fool you, there are some very subtle shapes there. I want to be a scratchbuilder, but my skills aren't quite there.....YET! Sincerely, Crash

Nick, You should have read it before it got edited! This threads represents several firsts for me. The first time I've had a thread edited (but not my fault, one bad apple...as the say), and the longest thread I have ever had. It's interesting to see the way the thread has morphed. All I wanted was a Predator Drone! I am just going follow Michel's lead every chance I get. Sincerely, Crash

Larry, I'd like to get at least a few of my stalled projects cleared up: Academy F/A-18C Academy F/A-18D ATARS- was missing the correct seats, but now I have them. Tamiya F-16C Block 42- so close to being done it's not funny Trumpeter Mig-21MF- so close A-4M conversion- need to finish this one before Trumpeter releases theirs. New Projects I might get to this year: Trumpeter SU-27 Trumpeter F-105D Trumpeter 1/72 LCAC-Way Cool! This will probably be first. Dragon UH-1N RF-4B- using Revell RF-4C kit, and I will do a thin wing. Tamiya F-15E God, doesn't look at all doable when you write it down. Now I'm depressed. Of course I see there are some game changers being announced for 2010. Trumps AV-8B+, Revell's Hawk T.1, just to name a few. Sincerely, Crash

Happy New Year to you Mr. Song! Thanks for joining LSP. Hopefully we can have a lasting and productive relationship between LSP and Trumpeter. Brent- I like the way you think. Sincerely, Crash BTW- Any chance of that Predator Mr. Song?