Community Build Project - 1/48 F-18C

The web page has been updated with pics of mkish's finished F-18.

http://www.safeplace.net/darienk/cbp.html

darrenbb,

Thanks for that help! O well, too late on the doors, but not too late to let the tires have their toe in.

Brian

dariencharlie,

I built the Revell kit also. The tires on mine are toed in a little. Based on my references this appears to be correct. I'm not sure what the purpose of this is. As for the gear doors, there should be a small gap between the door and the fuselage.

HTH

Darren

Well, I made some progress this weekend, but still a ways to go. I got the landging gear doors on (incorrectly maybe; maybe there is supposed to be a gap between the door edge and the body, rather than flush together...) and started the landing gear assembly, painting those parts and started painting the wheels. After the gear is on will start the overall body painting.

I am frustrated with the white paint, getting it to cover. I guess many dry or almost dry brush coats are needed, but I have tried to do it in two or three and some of it looks sloppy.

Also not happy with, or maybe not understanding the seating of the rear landing gear struts to the body ( This is the Revell f-18C ). When I hold them as I think they are molded to fit together, the wheels are then not parallel with the centerline of the body but rather at somewhat of an angle. I keep trying to fit them in different ways, but I must have it right. I guess some scraping and sanding are needed.

Hi fellow CBP members ...

Well, here I am 2 days tardy with my report ... and a sorry report it is ... I am not only not done with one kit ... I am not done with two kits ... (gee, that didn't make any sense did it ???) Anyway, a brief history ... started on time with a kit I would rate as fair ... the AMT/ERTL (ESCI) 1988 issue of the F/A-18 HORNET A ... I was proceeding at a pretty good pace, having a good time in spite of the rather poor quality of the kit (perhaps I am spoiled by some Tamiya, etc kits) when, like a fool I left my workbench unattended for about 15 minutes and one of my cats (I know which one of you did it) ran off with the canopy. The missing cat toy has not yet turned up ... but I still hold out hope! Then, at a late date in the project, I started on the only other F/A-18 HORNET kit I had on hand, the Monogram Blue Angels' in 1/48 scale. I might add, a much better kit than the other one. I am still working on the two kits ... and like I said above ... I am having fun. I have enjoyed this first CBP and look forward to more in the future.

Still where I was about a week or two ago. Just call me a slacker!

BTW, I know it's too late now, but I just found out that I have access to quite a lot of modeling reference type of books that I can borrow when I need to.

So I have the Squadron's Walk Around book for the F/A-18 Hornet and another reference book. Now that I have these in front of me, I feel it would be so much easier to finish this now. Being detail-orientated (picky at times about things I do) but ignorant on the subject of airplanes, something like painting the cockpit was a bit fustrating. Not that I would attempt to paint all the little buttons, but I can see what parts were black, what was gray, etc. For example, Revell's instructions were to paint the whole front panel black. While that could be done, the structure where the controls were installed were gray and the panels for the components were black. And oh, that's how the ejection handle should be placed. Did I mention I was ignorant about aircraft?

I'll have these books for at least a couple of weeks if anyone needs me to look something up.

I have to admit that even tho' I'm not anywhere near completion, this has been fun. If it had not been for this CBP, I doubt I would have picked up an aircraft kit for quite awhile. Looking through the reference books it's actually quite fascinating.

mkish,

Looking forward to seeing your finished plane. I was going to go light on the weapons also.

I agree with dariencharlie. The challenge was to build a model without exotic tools and I think we did it. Generally I think we'd all say we showed you could build a pretty good model with basic tools, but part of the fun about building models is using the bizarre tools that we all have. Personally, one of my favorite things to do is to look for 'new' tools. I usually use them for a while and then realize that something else I have does the job just as well (or that I have very little actual need for the new tool.)

I'm finishing up my F-18 today (just attaching the canopy) and I'll try to get some pics up on Monday or Tuesday. I decided not to install any weapons or anything else, just a straight F-18.

Thanks to everyone who joined in!

M.

Time: I too am not finished, mabe 65 - 70 %. I guess we just keep reporting in untill there seems to be a consensus that the build is officially over, some point will come naturally I think.

I would participate in the next build, but then will see after that as CBPs continue. That's a combination of time and interest. My interest in modeling has remained higher/longer in recent time than ever. But I know myself, and periods come when I then lose the drive and set it aside. Plus with good weather coming soon and more outdoor things to do. I am sorry if I have been misleading along the way in any way.

Tool List: for my experience and skill level I guess, I don't use too much beyond the present list; airbrush and decal setting/sealer come to mind off hand. I guess my vote would be to remove the tool list. I know the idea of the build was see what can be done with a minimal list but I imagine having done that once, most will not have the desire to be in that mode ongoing, but rather just enjoy the building of the same subject with others at the same time and talking about it.

Sorry guys,
My project isn't complete. Jeez not close.
I ran into some problems, not model related. . .a bathroom to paint and mud and all that junk, among other things.
I'll keep plugging away at it, and give updates on progress.
Again, sorry for not completing the project, It is my fault.

Don

Well todays the day. I hope everyone has had fun. I would have to call this first CBP a success for the most part. While I did complete my model, I'm not completely satisfied with it. Who would have thought that something as common as the Hornet would have so many poor kits? Hopefully the next subject (Ferrari?) will have better offerings.

I think that maybe we should relax...no, eliminate the tool list. No reason why we should make things harder than need be. I have come to find that I'm dependant on a variety of tools. Also maybe we could relax the time frame a bit. That way us "two stars" and soon to be "three stars" (djmodels1999) can have more time to work with. One month does not allow me quite enough time to for building, family, forum and all the other stuff.

I now have turned my attention to Accurate Minatures TBM-3 for a little break from those smelly jets. I love the smell of AVGAS in the morning.

Darren

The web page has been updated with pictures from mkish, and one from me from a few days ago.

http://www.safeplace.net/darienk/cbp.html

Hey I'll trade you a 12 year old model thief for a couple of cats. . .
No wait, that would make 4 cats and still two kids here, that wouldn't be fair!

Don

FreedomEagle1953,

I have two cats and certainly understand your situation. Once and a while I will catch one of them scurrying across the room with part of a model in their mouth. If it wasn't for the kids I would....well I won't go there, but you get the idea.

I've finished my project. I had fun, but am not completely satisfied with it. I may donate it to my son after I take pictures. It will surely end up broken in to pieces. Maybe not a bad thing in this case.

Darren

... mkish/

Glad to hear that at least one member of the first CBP is getting along well !

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your a/c build-up.

Well, back to the workbench ... I am having fun ... really ... it sure beats work !

FreedomEagle,
You're really taking a beating! I'm getting close to done on my project and have some pics I will be sending to dariencharlie soon. So far I've got about half of the decals on. I've got the cockpit painted, but not installed yet.
I'm enjoying the build, but have learned that a project this size really needs either a good selection of spray cans or an airbrush in the 'tool-kit'.
Actually, it's not turning out too bad...

M.

Hi fellow HORNET builders ...

Update ... cat jumps up on builders workbench in middle of the night and takes 1/48 scale F/A-18 HORNET canopy for cat toy.




Builder upset ... but deep down knows that it was his own darn fault ... he knows better than to leave parts lying about in his absence.



Embarrassed, but wiser builder has continued to build on the now ill-fated HORNET ... seems a shame to walk away when it is starting to look like a proper aircraft.



Builder does have a plan B ... start ... even at this late date on the Revell 1/48 scale F-18 Blue Angels HORNET he has on shelf.



Would post digital pics to dariencharlie's web site ... but have found that cheap digital camera has re-developed the short builder thought had been fixed.



Here is hoping all of your CBP HORNET building projects are going better than this one ... at this time ...

Not in relation to this project, but I have more bottles of Olive Drab than I need, myself....

The definition of frustration should include finding your out of a certain color of paint you NEED as soon as you sit at the bench. . .just home from the hobby shop where you bought a color you were sure you needed and find three bottles hiding on the shelf.
I got the cockpit almost done. . .I can't find the darn throttle control, I can't even see where part 30 was attached to the sprue. Must have been to mad to see straight.
So I went and airbrushed another project, and began to put together some figures.
This is supposed to be relaxing?

Don

Hi all,

Well I'm pretty much done with my kit. Just finished putting on the decals. All that I have left is to glue the gear doors on. This model certainly won't win any contest but it looks pretty good. Once the CBP is over for this kit I will give details on how it went and what I thought of the kit. I'm very happy that I was able to complete this in two weeks. Thats a new record for me. I've completed 2 models in the last 6 weeks. Thats an even bigger accomplishment for myself. With my renewed zeal for the hobby I plan on finishing some projects that have been lingering on for too long. I soon may run out of space to display them. What a shame .

Darren

BR, for my Revelle cockpit I painted that front panel piece before gluing it in; but then did and redid some of it after to! I'm not sure to what extent the real cockpit is basically black but I did all of that front part and most of the the horizontal side panels surface black, and the rest of the interior grey. Then touched on the raised knobs and such with silver and or light grey. Also just picked a couple knob/switch type items to make yellow, in addition to the yellow and black stripped ejection handle. Mixed colors to try to come up with a 'glowihg' green and blue green for the displays.

I got general ideas from one of the web sites you gave ealier which included an interior shot of the cockpit, as well as a book I got from the library.

Oh yes, thankful for tweezers also for getting that throttle handle in!

I am afraid to venture down to the model room and see what has transpired on the bench while I was away. . .Hopefully the parts dried as intended and didn't decide to go their own way.
As for the rest of you fellows in the greater Chicago area. . .where were you in 95 when I lived there! I was a regular at Venture hobbies, better than I library to spend an afternoon in.
Okay, I'm heading down to see what happened. . .

Don

QUOTE: Perhaps we could get together sometime and have a cup of coffee and talk models?

FreedomEagle,

That sound's great. Do you like Starbucks? ( some do, some don't ). Know the one in LaGrange? Or kitty corner there is a restaurant.

we could continue discussing arranging a meet apart from the posts here; drop me an email.

I was not aware of those other hobby shops you mentioned. Interesting that someone else saw your mention and is sometimes in the area on business and may check them out ( forgot who that was at the moment.)

Well, didn't get very far this afternoon.

In regards to painting the cockpit and the instruments, how much detail have you done. For the Revell kit, the front instrument panel is separate from the rest of the kit. Do you paint stuff like this first or glue it first then paint. I glued it first, I'll paint it later. Luckily tweezers were an option - otherwise the throttle and the control column would have never made it in. What a pain.

Otherwise, things are going well. Just a little slower than the rest of you.

Hi guys,
Just thought I'd let you know that I came back from Saskatoon's "Hobby" show and our club (SMAS) had alot of really nice kits on display. I was able to get a really close look at several F-18s build by a fellow club member and quickly realized that the Revell kit is much, much, much better than the Testors kit. The surface details are just way nicer than what is in my kit.

That aside, I've pretty much got paint on my kit. I decided to go with 'brush' rather than spray and it probably wasn't the best choice. Oh well, I didn't have to buy more spray cans and was able to use paints in my drawer. The colors aren't 'perfect', but that won't be the only thing that isn't exact... I ended up wet sanding the surface between coats and this removed most of the major brush strokes. I also tried to brush in the direction of air-flow, so it doesn't look too bad. Sorta gives the impression of a little 'built-in' weathering. I tried to thin-down the paint a bit to get it to flow off of the brush, but this is really a delicate balance. Too thin and the stuff runs really easily. Too thick and the brush strokes stay. I don't have a digital cam to post a pic yet, but it wouldn't pick up the brush marks anyways. Once all of the paint is on, I'll lightly wet sand the entire thing again and that should reduce the brush marks. I'm going to brush some Future on after (first coat with be gloss for the decals), then try and dull it down for a final coat. Future doesn't leave brush marks so the final thing shouldn't be too bad.

I've written down the hobby shops you guys are referring to because I'm sometimes in that area on business trips (Burr Ridge and Racine mostly...) I'll try and check a couple of them out on my next trip!!

M.

Well, I officially have started working on this!

When I opened up the box earlier, I noticed the canopy was scratched up. I posted the question in the Aircraft forum figuring it would be helpful to others who might not read this thread. There were quite a few quick and very helpful responses already!! Very cool!!

You can read it here:
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1020

Well, I have to get back to working on it. My kids are taking all the other pieces out of the box and "starting without me" (as they keep telling me) as I type this.

QUOTE: Originally posted by dariencharlie Am I dreaming, I thought I saw someone say they are from Brookfield, IL. I grew up in Brookfield! 3637 Raymond. Now live in Darien. So I'm sure you know Al's Hobbies and LaGrange hobbies. Or again, did I see that or not...

dariencharlie ... You didn't dream it ... I do live in Brookfield, IL ... just a short drive from your location. Perhaps we could get together sometime and have a cup of coffee and talk models??? You mentioned Al's hobby shop in Elmhurst, IL and LaGrange Hobby in LaGrange, IL ... yes sir I have been know to haunt both of those shops. How about Walt's in Cresthill, IL, (N side of Joliet, IL) or, the "big daddy" of them all ... Venture Hobbies in Wheeling, IL ??? Not that the others aren't good shops ... Venture Hobbies is just so huge ... anyway ... like I said perhaps we could get together sometime and swap hobby stories.

Whew.
Very bad week at work fellows.
Hopefully the weekend will bring more bench time.

Blue Angles are Boring??

Take it from me, I've worked with both the Blues and the Thunderbirds, the Blues have much more class and less snotty attitude.

Don

Bayonet Recon,
I haven't worked with the other kits to give you a good review, but generally I think the Testors kit is poor. It has recessed lines, but they are quality is inconsistent and the details are minimal. After looking at some of the other pictures on the web, I think I got the runt of the litter.

M.