Group Build: F/A-18A-G Super Hornet/Growler

[BarleyBop]

just watching

Well, welcome to the Addict!
What a great way to get in on the fun... and finally get that model done!
If you like, there is an introductions thread where you can post your howdies so everyone gets to say hi!

 

[blakeh1]

I guess since it is not starting til March, I should throw my momentum towards my dive bomber build which is taunting me for not starting it. I had intended to, but got sidetracked

 

[BarleyBop]

my dive bomber build

Yes! I'm still working on mine!

 

[Pantherman]

Got room for a new guy? I've been checking this site out for a while, but just watching. This group build is a good excuse to finally build the Hasegawa F/A-18C and use the Centennial of Naval Aviation decals I've been sitting on for 15 years. (has it really been that long!?!) I saw the plane belonging to VFA-122 at the Oshkosh air show and fell in love with the markings. Not sure I'm up to the standards that I see in the images on this site, but I'll give it a shot. View attachment 178659

Hi and welcome to the forum. Pantherman

 

[Lt. Smash]

I'm relatively new here, and this group build seems right up my alley. At one point, I had a goal - and I guess still do - of building each variant of the Hornet. So, I have an F/A-18A, a couple of Cs and an F in the stash. All 1/72 with some aftermarket stuff. I'll dust off one of those kits for this effort.

Lt.

 

[BarleyBop]

I'm relatively new here...

Welcome to the Addict!
... If you like, there is an introductions thread where you can post so everyone gets to say hi!

 

[user 22148]

I'm trying to resist this, as I really didn't want to do any GB's this year... but... just in case I give in (which is likely ), I have this kit in the stash, along with some AM Cockpit set and some resin seats.

Not that I'm going to build it...

But I probably will...

I might go with the kit decals... or I may go with this.

I've never actually built a Hornet so it could be fun.

Cheers!

 

[Edbert]

I've never actually built a Hornet

This is my first as well, last year I did my 1st ever navy jet in fact, a PhantomII.

 

[Wig41]

Not that I'm going to build it...

yeah, right !

 

[user 22148]

This is my first as well, last year I did my 1st ever navy jet in fact, a PhantomII.

Ah well, you've joined the dark side now - there is no resistance!

 

[user 22148]

Not that I'm going to build it...

yeah, right !

Yeah I know lol!

 

[Edbert]

there is no resistance!

None at all...but a LOT to learn, so this should come in handy.

 

[Pantherman]

None at all...but a LOT to learn, so this should come in handy.

View attachment 178872

Cool read. Pantherman

 

[BarleyBop]

this should come in handy.

There'll be a quiz.

Is there a 'Hornets for Dummies'?

 

[blakeh1]

I'm trying to resist this, as I really didn't want to do any GB's this year... but... just in case I give in (which is likely ), I have this kit in the stash, along with some AM Cockpit set and some resin seats.

Not that I'm going to build it...

But I probably will...

I might go with the kit decals... or I may go with this.

I've never actually built a Hornet so it could be fun.

Cheers!

It's a great kit. I built one last year and love the way it looks. Got some nice details as well

If I remember correctly, I think it has some parts to build other variants, there are just no instructions for them, but if you know what those variants are, it should be fairly easy to make one

 

[blakeh1]

My love of the F-18 came the one day when driving on my way to work, the Blue Angles screaming across the roadway at what could not have been more than 100 or so feet above it seemed like. The road went right past the end of the runway at the naval air base. Before then I had only ever seen A-10s and the bigger C-130s etc... flying around. Had to pull over and watch the rest of their practice.

When I got home, I went and ordered my first military kit. The 1/72 Hasegawa F-18C. Before then I had only ever had interest for sci-fi kits and figure painting. So you could say the F-18 started my obsession with modern and WWII aircraft

 

[BarleyBop]

My love

Great story!

 

[Dan the Modeler]

None at all...but a LOT to learn, so this should come in handy.

Looks like someone got a head start...lol. If you're doing that Growler as the VAQ-138, here's a great online resource for you to check out. YellowJackets VAQ-138

 

[Dan the Modeler]

So the Meng kit color call outs are interesting. The two tone for the overall aircraft are Haze Gray and Air Superiority Gray, both are very hard to find. So I'm opting to go with the following two AK Interactive colors, Medium Gray FS 36270 and Light Ghost Gray FS 36375. I believe overall I will go with AK Paints for this build, so off I go to collect all I will need for the project. Anyone else have thoughts on paints and colors to use?

 

[MRDuczz]

My Hasegawa directions call for Dark Ghost Gray (Vallejo Model Air 71.120) and Light Ghost Gray which I believe is one of the Model Air primer colors. Don't know how helpful that is. My decals call for white, sea blue and intermediate blue, but my markings are very unusual.

 

[Edbert]

Light Ghost Gray and Dark Ghost Gray are the typical specs, right?

From Mr. T. that is LP36 & LP37, the two are VERY close to each other.

here's a great online resource for you to check out

From that page, this picture is represented my the stickers if I do not use the low-vis versions.

Needles and Rooster.

Leaning hard towards the more colorful version, any reason not to use it if it just looks cooler?

 

[BarleyBop]

...the ONLY reason is it just looks cooler!

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Light Ghost Gray and Dark Ghost Gray are the typical specs, right?

From that page, this picture is represented my the stickers if I do not use the low-vis versions.

View attachment 178931
Needles and Rooster.

Leaning hard towards the more colorful version, any reason not to use it if it just looks cooler?

I'm a big fan of the high-vis on the Growler, especially that CAG bird for VAQ-138! I'd say absolutely go for it! Yes, I believe the dark & light ghost gray is the way to go overall. There are some variations depending on what Air Wing Group, but they are subtle enough that you can use them and weather to gain the look and feel you want.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I am chomping so hard at the bit to start this build, that I went up and cleared the work bench and reset everything in anticipation! I am debating a few goodies for the kit and putting together the paints order. I really need to set the standard I want for this build to really keep me from plunging into rabbit holes trying to way over do it on the details. I'm getting there....lol.

 

[Edbert]

I am chomping so hard at the bit to start this build

DO EEET! (the only rule is post pics)

I'm glad I started early since doing so made me realize the out-of-box offerings were not gonna cut it for me. The depth and details of the Meng kit for the cockpit (side panels and both IPs) are outstanding, AND they came with stickers, over 20 just for the cockpits! But...one must either paint all the details or file it all off and use the stickers. So I can choose to lose the 3D effect or have to paint all the tiny little switches, and I do not like either solution, so I ordered a detail kit with 3D bits that will not be here for a while. I did already have the exterior paints, ordered them when I bought the kit last year.

Edit: I'll post some pictures of both attempts but one thing that kinda irked me was the stickers have all the LCDs lit up as if the bird was powered on. I do not want to close the canopy or put pilot figures in, and it always looks odd for a parked aircraft to have the dash all lit up like that.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

DO EEET! (the only rule is post pics)

I'm glad I started early since doing so made me realize the out-of-box offerings were not gonna cut it for me. The depth and details of the Meng kit for the cockpit (side panels and both IPs) are outstanding, AND they came with stickers, over 20 just for the cockpits! But...one must either paint all the details or file it all off and use the stickers. So I can choose to lose the 3D effect or have to paint all the tiny little switches, and I do not like either solution, so I ordered a detail kit with 3D bits that will not be here for a while. I did already have the exterior paints, ordered them when I bought the kit last year.

Edit: I'll post some pictures of both attempts but one thing that kinda irked me was the stickers have all the LCDs lit up as if the bird was powered on. I do not want to close the canopy or put pilot figures in, and it always looks odd for a parked aircraft to have the dash all lit up like that.

What 3D detail set did you decide to go with for the cockpit? I know there are several out there, but only a couple that I know that are specific for the Meng kits.

 

[Edbert]

What 3D detail set did you decide to go with for the cockpit? I know there are several out there, but only a couple that I know that are specific for the Meng kits.

I may well regret the decision, because this

...is not Meng specific.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I may well regret the decision, because this is not Meng specific.

Here's a link for the Eduard set that is specific for Meng's EA-18G.

Eduards Meng set

 

[Jantk14]

Bought my contribution to the group build today. I don't think I'll start on time but at some point this year I'll get it done.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Bought my contribution to the group build today. I don't think I'll start on time but at some point this year I'll get it done.

Look forward to your build!