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So, I have the urge to add an F/A-18 to my stash. It will be built up as a Marine Corps version, so either an A+ or C.
My question is, which one is the most accurate, which one fits the best? Is there one that is a good compromise of fit and accuracy or is there one that is both accurate and fits nicely. All the searching on Google I've done says that Hasegawa is, hands down, the best. But, I saw my buddy's Hasegawa F/A-18C and I noticed that there were some fit issues that he didn't care to address, noteably where the bottom of the wing fits into the top. Also, before I had built up any sort of experience, I tried one of the Kinetic ones, and I made a disaster out of that and scrapped it. The instructions were awful, and fitting the top half to the bottom half at the nose sucked, and the canopy didn't even fit right.
Anyhow, understanding that this is all subjective to each individual modeler, please give me your opinions. Thank you.
The only F/A-18's I've ever built were the old Revell/Monogram kits in the late 90's and most recently, the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Both of which, from what I remember all had various issues.
I just purchased the Kinetic F/A-18C and plan on building this as a Marine Corps Aggressor aircraft called "Russian Splendor". I've read that there are some challenges with the nose on this kit. I'm sure that, as with any kit, there are likely to be issues and challenges that will be found. I've read about the terrible instructions with these kits and hopefully I can make something decent out of the kit.
On the Bench: Lots of unfinished projects!
Yeah, the problem I found, was that there was a thin section between nose area right in front of the cockpit and the cockpit itself that didn't want to fit properly. I ended up trying to cut the front section away from the cockpit itself, but it still wanted to sit proud in the bottom part of the fuselage no matter how hard I tried.
Thanks for that information. I'll be sure to look for that when I get to building it.
I've built the Monogram A, and it builds up nice enough. But it has some fit challenges. As well as the stabilator design being a bit fragile. Not the best, but not horrid either.
Has anybody built the Hobbyboss Hornets?
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM
The Hasegawa F-18's in 48th scale are tremendous. They are worth the cost. I've built the A and D varients.
stikpusher I've built the Monogram A, and it builds up nice enough. But it has some fit challenges. As well as the stabilator design being a bit fragile. Not the best, but not horrid either. Has anybody built the Hobbyboss Hornets?
I thought I read somewhere that the Hobbyboss one had accuracy issues. I've never built it, though.
That does not surprise me about the Hobbyboss Hornet. Trumpeter/Hobbyboss make nice kits, but they tend to have some gaffes of one sort or another. And for the cost of their kits that really should not be happening.
Wilbur Wright The Hasegawa F-18's in 48th scale are tremendous. They are worth the cost. I've built the A and D varients.
Another thing that bothers me about the Hasegawa kits is the lack of a full length intake trunk
Anyone else?
I recently built the 1/48 HB twin seater as Blue Angel #7 and found it to be a very enjoyable build with no fit issues whatsoever. Great looking details.
Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!
plasticjunkie I recently built the 1/48 HB twin seater as Blue Angel #7 and found it to be a very enjoyable build with no fit issues whatsoever. Great looking details.
How is it accuracy wise?
laskdjn plasticjunkie I recently built the 1/48 HB twin seater as Blue Angel #7 and found it to be a very enjoyable build with no fit issues whatsoever. Great looking details. How is it accuracy wise?
From the reviews I have read, it rivals Hasegawa. The pit can use some minor help but that seems to be the norm with most models requiring either some sort of pe or resin upgrades for better detailing. I found it to be adequate.
Here are some great shots
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234908839-148-fa-18d-hornet-hobby-boss/
Certainly looks passable to my eye.
Here's mine. Double click on the images for closeups.
Thanks,
John
keavdogVery nice Blue Angle!
Thank you Sir!
Very nice, indeed. One day I hope to get that good.
laskdjn Very nice, indeed. One day I hope to get that good.
Thank you kindly. It also brings tons of weapons unlike Hasegawa's.
laskdjn Wilbur Wright The Hasegawa F-18's in 48th scale are tremendous. They are worth the cost. I've built the A and D varients. Another thing that bothers me about the Hasegawa kits is the lack of a full length intake trunk
I've got the Hasegawa 1/48th F/A-18F in progress (along with a few others; see below), and it does have the full-length intake trunks. They fit pretty danged good, too.
Devil Dawg
On The Bench: Tamiya 1/32nd Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zeke For Japanese Group Build
Build one at a time? Hah! That'll be the day!!
Devil Dawg I've got the Hasegawa 1/48th F/A-18F in progress (along with a few others; see below), and it does have the full-length intake trunks. They fit pretty danged good, too.
I was hoping to do an A+ or a C, as the usmc opted not to buy the E or F super hornet
For those of you building a kinetic kit, I have found how to greatly improve the fit of the nose and canopy and it is as follows
1 .glue bulkhead h31 directly to the front of the main fuselage
2 glue front fuselage halves together but do not glue the floor section(which is either c13,17,18,23 depending on which you want) tape it in place only.
3 test fit nose to main fuselage, it will almost certainly sit a touch low ( check gap between floor section and the bulkhead) trim the tabs on inside of nose or notches in bulkhead to allow nose to sit higher so there is no longer a gap between bullhead and floor piece.
4 once you have that gap gone tape side of nose to main fuselage (1 piece of tape each side so it cannot move up or down) then remove the floor section you taped earlier, sometimes there is a step between the nose and main fuselage where nose is a little narrower if you are happy with the fit then glue with some liquid cement from the inside if you are not happy shim the nose to bulkhead till it is flush then glue.
Following this process gave me much better fitting of the upper fuselage to nose section and of the canopy
Hope this helps
Mrmavx
So, who makes the best full length intakes for the hasegawa?
The only two companies I can think of are Seamless Suckers and Cutting Edge. But both look to be out of business.
stikpusher The only two companies I can think of are Seamless Suckers and Cutting Edge. But both look to be out of business.
I would use Google and try and find a set of maestro models intakes k4841 as they are great to use and sometimes the odd set come up otherwise there is xmold-modeling.com who do a set for the hasegawa classic hornet, they are not the easiest to use as they do require you do a bit of cutting to the wing root area but they are the only ones definetly available that I know of at the moment.
After some google searching, I found two Rhino Modelworks and XMM. I've heard good things about Dmold, but they don't have one for the F/A-18C. Has anyone used either of the ones that do exist?
I take it that you're something of a F/A-18 fanatic. Best 1/48 kit, best seamless intakes... what else are you planning here?
stikpusher I take it that you're something of a F/A-18 fanatic. Best 1/48 kit, best seamless intakes... what else are you planning here?
I love me some bugs. Had them, Harriers, and Cobras provide air support for me many times.
Well that makes perfect sense. We tend to get that way modeling stuff that we have a personal connection with.
I take it that you were a Marine by the sound of your CAS Birds. Have you built any Cobras or Harriers?
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