DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 After waffling for a bit once I wrapped up the F-104, I've landed on my next 1/32 jet build - Academy's F/A-18C. I was 11 when Operation Desert Storm went down, and as such the aircraft of that conflict are burned into my mind in a very particular way. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be the case with decal manufacturers, particularly with the Hornet. The default - even for legacy Hornets - is either OIF schemes or garishly-painted CAG birds. I'm really not a fan of colors over what should be a low-viz scheme, so that leaves the decal options very tight. In the case of the C, I'll be doing a MiG-killer from VFA-81, the Sunliners. This isn't it, but another C from the same squadron, to give a sense of the weathering: Aftermarket's a bit all over the place: - Quickboost SJU-17 - Data addendum decal sheet for things like ejection seat stencils - Airscale IP and placard decals - Eduard placard set - Eduard stencil masks - CAM Decals for the VFA-81 markings - Rhino seamless intakes and wheels - Aires exhausts - Zactomodels AIM-9s - Wolfpack Mk.84s (x4) - G-Factor metal landing gear Zero77 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Since I'm going with seamless intakes, I figured a good test-fitting was the right place to start. The Rhino instructions say to install the fuselage sides first, then squeeze the intakes into place. Well, I've only taped them so far, but still, the fit is pretty close to where it needs to be. The outer rim of the intakes is also nice and smooth, so cleaning up any seam should be pretty straightforward. The Aires exhausts are solid, too. Love the outside/inside design and it should make painting a bit easier. Uncarina and Zero77 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 The build order pretty much dictates that I get the intakes sorted first. So...a quick sand to smooth out the insides, then some primer. A bit of Gunze Hemp to provide some very subtle tonal variation, the on to overall Mr. Paint Light Ghost Gray. Now comes the fun stuff. The gray carries back a distance into the Hornet's intakes before transitioning to white. And the opening isn't all that big, so masking around an irregular curve would be nearly impossible. Solution - slight modification to the latex house paint method. First...get some paint. Then close up the back of the intake. I found my disposable paint cups fitted perfectly. A little bit of tape, a little bit of liquid mask, and I had enough of a barrier to do the job. No need to miles of tape! Next...how to get the paint into the intakes without getting paint all over the forward gray portions? I got around this by cutting the bulb off a disposable pipette and shoving the shaft onto a children's medicine syringe (we have tons of them). Reach and precision! The intakes were loaded up with paint, which was allowed to sit for a few minutes, and then drained. The morning after... Smokey, allthumbs, Uncarina and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warbird Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Hi, Nice work. I'll keep an eye on it since I own a D version. By the way, I think that, back in 1990-91, F/A-18s had SJU-5/6 ejection seats. To be confirmed. SJU-5/6 ejection seat - F/A-18C/D BuNo 163427 thru 164068 SJU-17 NACES ejection seat - F/A-18C/D BuNo 164196 thru 165532 Cheers DoogsATX and Zero77 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero77 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Great start Doog ! The technique to paint the intakes without the boring masking job is a very good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misha71 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 great start you are so smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Hi, Nice work. I'll keep an eye on it since I own a D version. By the way, I think that, back in 1990-91, F/A-18s had SJU-5/6 ejection seats. To be confirmed. SJU-5/6 ejection seat - F/A-18C/D BuNo 163427 thru 164068 SJU-17 NACES ejection seat - F/A-18C/D BuNo 164196 thru 165532 Cheers Great to know! Mine is 163508 - so time to run down an earlier seat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Nice work on the Hornet. I had the opposite problem on my build. I had the early seats. I realised too late so just had to live with it. Nice kit - just wish they had repeated the quality outside of the Hornet which I think is pretty exceptional. There are a few spots with the build - panel lines not complete and other mould faults that will need to be corrected for a great finish. All well documented so I am sure you have these all in hand. DoogsATX 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Meanwhile, up front... I'm pretty impressed with the job Academy's done on the instrument panel (the throttle and stick are similarly nice). The side consoles aren't quite as impressed but still perfectly workable. I've got an SJU-17 sitting here presently, but just learned that this Hornets in this production batch were using SJU-5/6 seats. Wolfpacks are on the way. Also starting what will be some sill wear. I didn't have the mint-colored primer on hand, but I do have some Mr. Paint Russian Turquoise, and mixed that with some Lemon Gray and Light Ghost Gray to get to a close shade. More to come on this front. And...Dark Gull Gray in the cockpit. Lots of detail work to come. Anthony in NZ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warbird Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I see a SJU-5/6 here...certainly not a SJU-17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 I see a SJU-5/6 here...certainly not a SJU-17. They're hard as hell for me to tell apart, honestly. The ones I have in there right now are Quickboost's 32028 F/A-18D seats - unfortunately they don't give any further designation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warbird Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 (edited) The SJU-17 has a much more squarish headrest and small "teeth" on the top. SJU-5/6 The quickboost is 100% a SJU-5/6 Edited March 21, 2016 by Warbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogsATX Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Sweet - guess that means I'll have to buy more Hornets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat14 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) This is going to be a sweet build, look forward to your progress on it and so far it is looking great. Chris Edited March 22, 2016 by Tomcat14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngtiger1 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Nice start Matt. Glad to see your intake turned out nice with that latex paint trick. I was thinking similar thing but while I was just thinking you went ahead and done it good for you Well, I'll follow along to see what else you can do with this kit. It's a great kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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