I built this 1/32 Academy F-18D for my bro, the first time he was in Iraq...03-04. This was way back before I took a break for a few years...before I was on, or even knew about, forums. No pics from back then. During the build, I kept notes on dates/times, and what was done during each session. After my bro got back, we compared his logbook with the notes I had made. The only thing with any significance...the night I was whippin up the GBU-12s (had to bash parts from the GBU-10 with a mk-82 body)...he had dropped his pair and got conformation, that with those two bombs, he had taken out 50+ bad guys.
He was here over the holiday weekend and brought the model along for some repairs...it's been a long time since I've seen it!
Anyway...as I received it...
There is no aftermarket, just some scratched details...only thing really noticeable are the harmesses (tape).
These pics are from just after his 2nd time in Iraq (VMFA(AW)-225)...1st time was with VMFA(AW)-332, as this model depicts. The kit had markings for 332, but at a different time, I was able to use some, but had to mask and paint the tail numbers.
The base did have a glass cover...bro said that didn't make it beyond the first move.
Loaded with what they carried 90% of the time...winders, jdam, bgu-12's, tanks and lightning pod
