Opinions on a good F/A-18 Kit in 1:48

stikpusher

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? 

 

Yup, 2004-2009, amphibious assault.  My modeling experience is far more limited, so I'm trying to learn and hone those skills as best I can.

As for the harriers and the cobras, I have not yet.  I wanted to get a good hornet made before I move on to the kitty hawk AH-1Z I have.  And the AV-8B is on my list.

Have you worked much with resin and aftermarket stuff? Most if it is not drop in fit and requires surgery to the base kit to make it fit. And sometimes to the resin parts as well. 

If you have, then never mind what I just said. If you have not, you're in for a LOT of skill honing. 

stikpusher

Have you worked much with resin and aftermarket stuff? Most if it is not drop in fit and requires surgery to the base kit to make it fit. And sometimes to the resin parts as well. 

If you have, then never mind what I just said. If you have not, you're in for a LOT of skill honing. 

 

Yeah....I have not...I was hoping they'd be more drop in replacement...

In most cases they are not drop in. Usually some thinning and cutting of kit parts is required, and sometimes thinning of the resin parts as well. Resin cockpits are very common for this. Just a heads up. Forewarned is forearmed.

But they sure look good once it's all done. And in some ways it's easier than filling seams on intakes... that is a whole different challenge.

stikpusher

In most cases they are not drop in. Usually some thinning and cutting of kit parts is required, and sometimes thinning of the resin parts as well. Resin cockpits are very common for this. Just a heads up. Forewarned is forearmed.

But they sure look good once it's all done. And in some ways it's easier than filling seams on intakes... that is a whole different challenge.

 

That's tragic.  I'm guessing the only real drop-in resin would be the ejection seats and the wheels. 

I've been searching YouTube for a tutorial on seamless intakes, but I've come up snake-eyes.  I guess trial and error is how it's gonna be.

I guess if I want a good Hornet, with full length intakes it's gotta be either Kinetic(which was terribly painful the first time, although I was very inexperienced) or Hobbyboss. 

It is what it is... With as much as you would spend on the Hasegawa or Kinetic F/A-18's, you could always go up to the Academy 1/32 Hornet.... that is one fantastic kit straight OOB....

That would be a huge friggin' plane.

Yes it is large... but it does offer a wingfold build option to save a little space... but seriously, if you want the ultimate F/A-18 kit, IMHO, that is the kit.

Hasegawa wants you to buy their aircraft weapons sets. So good luck getting lots of bombs with their kits. I have several half consumed hasegawa aircraft weapons sets.  Hasegawa does give you the twin ejectors for bombs with their F/A-18 kits.  

There is a local unused parts from kits trading and celling with an "s" "group" so I can usually round up what i need once a month.