Community Build Project - 1/48 F-18C

References
United States Navy Fact Files: F/A-18 Hornet
FAS - F/A-18 Hornet
Global Security.org - F/A-18 Hornet
Boeing - F/A-18C/D Technical Specs
US Naval Institute - Information on the F/A-18C/D Hornet

...and of course, there's Google

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So let's talk kits - what's available?
(links are provided for informational purposes...)

1/48 F-18C Hornet - #4821 (Revell-Monogram)
http://www.ehobbies.com/mo-rmx-4821.html
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RM4821

Some reviews/writeups for this kit:
http://airmodeller.tripod.com/48UsaFa18c.html

Some photos of finished kits:
1/48 MONOGRAM F-18C HORNET VFA-22 - "THE FIGHTING REDCOCKS"

1/48 F-18C Hornet Chippy Ho 1:48 - #5836 (Revell)


What other kits are out there?

Bayonet,

Awesome links. Thanks for the help!

M.

I believe Italeri also has at least one 1/48 F/A-18 C.

If you like something a bit more exotic and out there than an American example of the aircraft, I believe that kit includes Swiss air force markings (That'd be something different) I've also heard that kit includes Finn air force markings as well.

Well Guys and Dolls, today's the day..! Still awaiting delivery of my (Super) Hornet, but it won't be long before I can get started. Should we confine our CBP post here?

djmodels1999,

I agree. Let's move the posting activity over to this topic.

M.

Mkish, what are your plans for a decoration, then..???!

Well, I'm not really sure, but I was thinking of a nice 'flame' job, and maybe a tinted canopy?? (Can you tell that I'm into cars as well?) Of course, that's going to be tough to do without an air-brush, but I like to start with a vision, and then build the plan to get there.

I'm assuming that would be OK as long as I used the restricted tools and kit parts. If I'm pushing the envelope of the 'intention' of the CBP, then let me know and I'll 'fall-in-line'.

I was also just over at the aircraftresourcecenter and they have ALOT of pics of nice F-18's in their gallery and in the walk-around section. In particular, there's this one http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/101-200/walk168_50thF-18/walk168.htm of an RCAF 50th anniversary version. I think I could do that one with just paint and the decals that are in the model I have (or at least very close to it.)

This one also caught my attention http://www.arcair3.com/Fea1/101-200/Fea142_CF-18_Pod_Racer/Fea142.htm Clearly not an option for the CBP (way too advanced), but it is an impressive and creative concept.

Plan to start on some of the basic pieces/assemblies tonight, but the final vision is not yet clear in my head. If it doesn't become clear very soon, I will just complete it in the Canadian F-18B normal version/colors.

M.

This just came to mind...

Are we allowed to use masking tape??

If not, then I need to change course...

M.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mkish This just came to mind... Are we allowed to use masking tape?? If not, then I need to change course... M.

What's wrong? Can't you paint a straight line?

Masking tape? The brown stuff, right? That's pretty common I would think. Any store that carries stationary, envelopes, etc. should have masking tape. But then again, the list is going to start getting larger again.

Painting - I would think any kind of paint scheme that can be achieved with the list of tools is acceptable.

We might want to review the original intention of the CBPs.

We could always revise or modify the list of tools for each CBP too. We don't always have to limit each one to basic tools - but that's a discussion for the other thread I think.

You got me thinking a bit about this, Bayonet. I think I'm going to relax on the 'alternative' paint schemes and go with the regular old CF-18B. My original intention in this CFB was to get back to the 'roots' of building a model as if it was my first one. Custom flame jobs probably wouldn't have been on my mind when I was 8 or 9 years old and getting a kit for the first time.

I'm changing my 'perspective' and going with the OOB design and look. Others should feel free to paint as they wish, but I'm choosing to restrict myself to what my original intention was. Who knows, the whole project might be more 'challenging' this way anyways.

M.

Ok, its 02/09, here's a progress report !

www.safeplace.net/darienk/cbp.html

Hey, great stuff! I'll send a pic of my kit when I get it! Can't wait to get started!

Hello all,

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I've been in the home stretch of another project. Now with that done I can shift my focus back to the CBP. I went to Walmart on Friday but had no luck. There is a Hobbytown USA 30 minutes away that should have something. Either that or I will have to travel about an hour and a half to a well equipped shop (The Spare Time Shop), sorry for that shameless plug. The number of real hobby shops in this area is shrinking so I do what I can for them. I've been looking for a "reason" to make the trip anyways.

It's great to see people already starting and posting pictures!!! I'm still surprised to see the amount of interest this has generated. It would appear that we have a nice cross section of modelers with varying interests participating. It's even better to see people taking on a project that they are not familiar with. I'm looking forward to working on subjects that I have never tried before. It should be a lot of fun.

Heres a funny thing that happened to me today...My son is buliding his first glue together model completely on his own. He has done very well for his age (9 yrs old). Today he started painting the exterior using a can of Model Master paint. Now I have always considered spray cans to be a beginners tool not used by "experienced" modelers. After a few attempts to explain the proper procedures of use it dawned on me that it's harder than it looks. It takes skill to get good results from a can. This got me thinking about our list of tools for the CBP. Is a spray can really a basic tool? I found this to be a gentle reminder that sometimes we take seemingly simple tasks for granted. Most of what we do requires a certain amount of skill, otherwise it would get boring very quickly. By the way, my son did a great job with his first paint job.

Thanks for letting me ramble!

Darren

Hello fellow modelers ...

I have been following with great interest your postings regarding the Community Build Project - February 2003 - F-18 HORNET. I would like to toss my hat into the ring and build along. It really is a great idea, the limited tool list and format are very interesting and help make the whole project fun ... and gee if you aren't having fun ... why do it???

I plan to build an old (1988 issue) AMT/ERTL (ESCI) 1/48th scale F/A-18A HORNET. I had never opened the box until today ... it doesn't look like a bad kit. The decals allow building one of the following F/A-18A's .... a U.S. NAVY a/c; A Royal Australian Air Force a/c; a Spanish a/c or a CF18A of Sq. No. 410 Canada. Gee can't make up my mind ... but time enough for that.

Well, better go clear off the workbench and get out the "approved" tools. Say, BTW are we allowed to use masking tape ???

Thanks for a really great project ... looking forward to building and sharing ... and then moving on to the next CBP.

I built that kit when it was released, in the late 70's..! I think it's more like the Hornet's prototype rather than a production item. I remember having a whale of a time building it, though. I'm curious to see what you'll make out of it! And, by the way, welcome to the CBP..!

Welcome to the group! Any new volunteers are certainly welcome at any stage of the game. And, you've got a kit and everything (as you've probably read, not everyone is so lucky to have one in the 'stash'.)

I was lucky enough to find one the other night and I started on it this morning (happy to say I didn't 'cheat'). I must say that the 'spirit' of this project is definitely alive in me. As I opened the box, I could feel the adrenalin (ok, maybe I'm exagerating) surging and all I wanted to do was have the darn thing finished!! I started putting it together and gluing like a mad-man. At one point, I was examining the front gear-bay and thinking "Oh, I could make this way better." Then I remembered what we were doing and I realized that when I was 7 or 8 years old, the last thing I'd be thinking of was puting some additional details into a gear-bay! "Just get the thing together so we can get some paint on it," would have been more in-line with my thoughts then!!

So, I'm probably spending a *little* more time cleaning the parts up and removing the flash (than I did when I was 8), but all-in-all I'm really looking forward to the PAINT stage.

I've made a leap of faith and put the front fuselage together BEFORE I've installed the cockpit. I test fit theparts and it looks like I'll be able to slide it in there when it's finished. Boy, I hope I'm not wrong or it's gonna be one funny looking jet...

I haven't sliced my finger with the knife yet, so I guess I've improved my modelling skills somewhat since I was 8.

I don't have a digital camera, so you'll just have to visualize my progress for now. I should be able to get access to one in the next few days, so I'll post a picture then. (the way things are going, I might even have paint on it by then!!)

M.

By the looks of it, Mkish, you'll have yours completed by the time I get mine! Can't wait to see your pics. What kit have you got?

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but, FreedomEagle, I believe masking tape is allowed.

btw, I wish I did have a digital camera. Afraid to buy a cheap one, don't want to pay for a good one. I happned to be takking pictures of another finished project on Saturday, and thought to snap the just opened F-18. I just used our point and shoot. The other project was basa/tissue P-40, 28" wingspan, so it worked for that. But for the 1/48 scale, etc., getting a good picture is hard. Need an SLR with a macro lens, I guess.

dj,

I've got the Testors version which I believe is the same as the Italeri. It comes with decals to build either US Navy or Canadian in either A or B config. I'm not really impressed with the quality of the mold as there seems to be quite a few places where the panel lines are weak and faint, and others where they are fairly crisp. The surface looks like it has quite a bit of 'dust' embedded into the plastic (ie. kinda like a paint job that had lint and other dust particles settle in while it was drying.) The wings don't really fit to the body very well and leave a large gap that will have to be filled.

I've decided to build it in the Canadian F-18B config and am going with an 'in-flight' model (even though there is no pilot figure). I always liked having a model I could 'zoom' around the room as if it were really flying!! There is no 'stand' for the model, so I'll either have to hang it or rig up some sort of stand.

Haven't got any paint on it yet, but I'm hopefully starting on the 'filling' and seam cleanup tonight.

M.

Hello all,

Finally aquired my F-18 kit. I got the Revell 1/48 scale Blue Angels version. What a clunker from the looks of it. All raised panel lines and molded in dark blue (yuck!!!). I won't even get in to the warped R/H wing and flash on just about every part.

On the upside, the decals look kind of cool. All the yellow markings come in the form of decals. So the only major color I have to worry about is the dark blue, which just happens to come in a spray can under the title Blue Angels blue by M.M..

I've never done a B.A. model of any kind so this will look good in my display case.

I better get started tonight in order to catch up to Mkish

Darren

Hey guys,
Remember the FA18 HAS warped wings!
Okay not exactly warped but they do not look "right" until you realize they were designed that way.
Trust me, the Monovell kit builds into a pretty good kit for the price.

Hi ...

I agree w/dkmacin ... the F/A-18 does have sort-of funny looking wings ... and you almost always get your moneys worth w/Monogram-Revell kits.

If darrenbb has a warped R/H wing ... I am sure he compared it to the L/H wing before he pronounced it warped ...

Thanks for the ok on the use of masking tape for the CBP F/A-18 project ... and no ... most days I can't paint a straight line w/o masking tape ... <grin>

Well, better get back to the workbench ... its time to toss the tube of glue into the box and shake ... isn't that the way the rest of you build ???

I meant no offense darrenbb, hope you didn't take it that way.

Some times we forget the simple things. . .like the interchangable elevons on the F16. . .Darned if I didn't cut off the static wicks on my left elevon because they were on the top of it instead of the bottom like on the right. . .oh wait!!
Sometimes the model companies DO get it right. . .I said SOMETIMES.

Don

Great news, guys, I got my Hornet this morning..! Well, it's a SUPER Hornet..! F/A-18E from Italeri and boy, it looks just great... We will see if it is as good built as it is in the box.

Help! I have not had much of this particular challange before. How do you paint those teeny weeny switches and knobs in the cockpit? I have painted flat black, then tried to sweep over the top with another color, and end up with a mess; well, not too good of result anyway. There is slop over onto the panel part. The result is is a general affect from a distance, but I'ld like to do it better.

I have just tried using a tooth pick, trying to have it just moist but not wet with paint, but then seem to have to rub to get paint transferred, which results in too much and spill over off the raised items....

What is a good way to do this?

Also, any suggestions for suspended magnifying glasses and lamps?

I would use the dry-brushing technique to bring out the raised details. Light grey or whate will do the job, and then if you want, you add tiny touch ou colours with the sharp end of the toothpick. The cockpit tub (other than the instrument panels)should be grey (I'd think - correct me guys if I'm wrong!), and would benefit from a wash in a darker shade, plus some dry-brushing too.

One of my favoite methods for picking out switches and instrument bezels in a cockpit is to get a fairly dark wash on all panel surfaces and then when its dry, lightly pass over all the surfaces with the side of the lead in a silver pencil crayon.

Its neat, tidy, more than adequate for 1/48 scale and gives a generally plausible "worn" look to those parts

I'm not certian if you'll let that method go in this project, but a silver pencil crayon isn't terribly difficult to get ones hands on and its a pretty basic thing in my mind.

Even if you don't let it go, its a great method to bear in mind for other models.

Thanks Upnorth, I'll try that one!

Dariencharlie, how do we send you our pics/progress reports?

Here's a pictureless update of where I'm at with my F-18:

- body is generally assembled and most seams/joints are filled.
- I have not installed the wings yet because they will require alot of filling where they attach to the body. I'm pondering my options here (ie. pack the joint with filler/ca glue or 'shape' the edge to conform better to the body...)
- I'm going 'in-flight', so I've covered up the gear-bays, but the pieces did not really fit that well. I'm not really sure what to do here either, but I'm considering filling in the gaps with ca and then rescribing the panel outlines (that would be quite a bit more work than I was hoping for and is probably an unlikely solution).

Expected progress over the next couple of days:
- first primer coat should be on fairly soon
- final seam/filler touch-ups and body prep.
- wings attached and filled/adjusted
- start on cockpit assembly and painting.

Still not sure when this will happen:
- first 'paint' coat
- cockpit/canopy installation
- decals
- display method

I'm hoping to get a pic or two up before I hit it with primer...

M.