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

[Wig41]

I am anxious to get going on this build. I've been really looking at the kit for the first time. You definitely get what you pay for. I will be replacing the kit seats with a pair from Quickboost. The majority of the cockpit is also very weak but I'll try to improve it with scratch build. And I must admit that I have done some building … my first step with a jet is to glue lead shot into the nose.

Couldn't help myself. I throw myself to the mercy of the court!

 

[Pantherman]

I am anxious to get going on this build. I've been really looking at the kit for the first time. You definitely get what you pay for. I will be replacing the kit seats with a pair from Quickboost. The majority of the cockpit is also very weak but I'll try to improve it with scratch build. And I must admit that I have done some building … my first step with a jet is to glue lead shot into the nose.
View attachment 179330
Couldn't help myself. I throw myself to the mercy of the court!

Been there....... go for it. Pantherman

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Ok, ok, we as model addicts should know better by now than to announce a GB and start it almost two months later. That's a big "My Bad!" on my part, so here's the remedy... start your build whenever you'd like! If you got, GO FOR IT! If you need to clear other projects, or gathering a kit and all you need, then start whenever you want. Rule #1 of Group Builds: there are no rules, but the hope everyone enjoys it! Model on my friends, model on!

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Found these. Might have to pull the trigger on a kit.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Found these. Might have to pull the trigger on a kit.

Do it, I triple dog dare you!

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Ok everyone, I may be in need of an intervention here! The rabbit hole has taken me way past Wonderland. I've found a very convenient addition to the growing list of aftermarket parts with this one. What would one say about seamless one piece intakes molded in proper color with two piece turbofans? I'd say I just shaved off a few hours and possible headache cleaning seams, sanding, and dip painting the intakes! Anyway, these are specific for the Meng F/A-18E/F/G kits.

​

 

[Pantherman]

Ok everyone, I may be in need of an intervention here! The rabbit hole has taken me way past Wonderland. I've found a very convenient addition to the growing list of aftermarket parts with this one. What would one say about seamless one piece intakes molded in proper color with two piece turbofans? I'd say I just shaved off a few hours and possible headache cleaning seams, sanding, and dip painting the intakes! Anyway, these are specific for the Meng F/A-18E/F/G kits.

View attachment 179398​

Deeper and deeper he fell, where will this end.......... Pantherman

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Ok everyone, I may be in need of an intervention here! The rabbit hole has taken me way past Wonderland. I've found a very convenient addition to the growing list of aftermarket parts with this one. What would one say about seamless one piece intakes molded in proper color with two piece turbofans? I'd say I just shaved off a few hours and possible headache cleaning seams, sanding, and dip painting the intakes! Anyway, these are specific for the Meng F/A-18E/F/G kits.

View attachment 179398​

Deeper and deeper he fell, where will this end.......... Pantherman

Probably with new open exhaust and probably several more additions to the flight deck equipment for the base. If the rabbit goes another level deeper, it may end with a landing gear set! However, it will definitely end before there is even another mention of lights!!!

 

[BarleyBop]

Deeper and deeper he fell, where will this end...

... in the depths of h---.
No, no, no, says I
Likely, somewhere swell!

 

[BOATMAN]

Probably with new open exhaust and probably several more additions to the flight deck equipment for the base. If the rabbit goes another level deeper, it may end with a landing gear set! However, it will definitely end before there is even another mention of lights!!!

WHATS up with lights as the real plane has got them ?
chrisb

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Probably with new open exhaust and probably several more additions to the flight deck equipment for the base. If the rabbit goes another level deeper, it may end with a landing gear set! However, it will definitely end before there is even another mention of lights!!!

WHATS up with lights as the real plane has got them ?
chrisb

IMHO at lot of times lighting is over done in modeling. Short of displaying military aircraft, or ships in a night time environment, you don't even see the lights during day operations. Look at any take off, landing, or in flight photos of the actual aircraft, you won't even see the lights. Again, just my humble opinion. Many enjoy lighting up their models and I applaud it, it's just not for me.

 

[BOATMAN]

IMHO at lot of times lighting is over done in modeling. Short of displaying military aircraft, or ships in a night time environment, you don't even see the lights during day operations. Look at any take off, landing, or in flight photos of the actual aircraft, you won't even see the lights. Again, just my humble opinion. Many enjoy lighting up their models and I applaud it, it's just not for me.

OK Sir i respect your opinion but i love lighting up my planes an if its a dull day the nav lights an landing lights show up qiute well on aircraft in real when i was on RAF Coltisishall an at the crash gates when i was young as thats where i got my lighting ideas from an the pilot may not have swichted them on as they can as like in a car if its a bright sunny day you can leave your lights off cant you sir an when dull or horrible wheather then its only sensible to switch on your full dipped head lights all though many cars like mine has the lights on all the while an they are bright enrnt they
chrisb

 

[Edbert]

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Edbert Looking great! Can't wait to see how they look assembled.

 

[Edbert]

I tried to follow photos from my detail in scale book. It was harder than I thought, partly because these are just the wells, no landing gear yet ( and Navy gear are BEEFY, which obscures much detail). But also, I think Meng just made up some of it. So I decided to do the same, added random yellow red and silver bits to the gray and black "wiring" and lines. I think the silver, or some of it needs to be dark metallic to show more contrast.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

OK Sir i respect your opinion but i love lighting up my planes

I get it, and let me just say that you do a stellar job at lighting your models. If anyone has the master skills at it that can steer any modeler in the right direction of how it's done, it's definitely you Sir! I have only one pending model build that I have a light system going into, and that is my Military Police Chevy Impala that I will be doing as the vehicle I drove at Ft Hood.

 

[BOATMAN]

I get it, and let me just say that you do a stellar job at lighting your models. If anyone has the master skills at it that can steer any modeler in the right direction of how it's done, it's definitely you Sir! I have only one pending model build that I have a light system going into, and that is my Military Police Chevy Impala that I will be doing as the vehicle I drove at Ft Hood.

HI Dan many thanks for your nice compliments on my lighting skills on my models as yes i should be fairly good as ive been at it for 20 yrs or so an still several models to do an im enjoying it an when i get modeling ive never know time to go so fast wow
ATB SIR
chrisb

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Well let's just keep going down this wonderful rabbit hole I've found myself in...lol. How about some open exhaust cans with some high quality details?

 

[MRDuczz]

By the way, I will be building MENG F/A-18F Super Hornet as an aircraft belonging to VFA-41 "Black Aces", roughly cira 2006-2007. No extra goodies, basically OOB.

View attachment 178238

I always thought that OOB meant Out Of Box. Now I understand that it means Out of Other Boxes! You don't have a problem until you have more aftermarket parts in the build than Meng parts.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I always thought that OOB meant Out Of Box. Now I understand that it means Out of Other Boxes! You don't have a problem until you have more aftermarket parts in the build than Meng parts.

Well my Meng kit came with a separate "Honey Do" list that I didn't expect to find. So the planned OOB turned into the triple OOOB! Got to love that.

 

[Edbert]

Open exhaust would be seen when (honest question, don't know much about jets), staging for catapult launch?

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Open exhaust would be seen when (honest question, don't know much about jets), staging for catapult launch?

From what I have heard and read over the years, is that generally the open exhaust is when the aircraft is in afterburner in flight, during take off/catapult launch, or during maintenance/inspection. I am just using the open exhaust to expose more detail and getting the aircraft ready for movement to launch.

 

[blakeh1]

I tried to follow photos from my detail in scale book. It was harder than I thought, partly because these are just the wells, no landing gear yet ( and Navy gear are BEEFY, which obscures much detail). But also, I think Meng just made up some of it. So I decided to do the same, added random yellow red and silver bits to the gray and black "wiring" and lines. I think the silver, or some of it needs to be dark metallic to show more contrast.

I came to the same conclusion and just painted what I thought looked convincing.. I found some pics where details matched like those larger pipe looking things that I painted a dark color. Also was hard to find the right ones for the right variant since it is not always clear if your looking at pics of a f18c, e,f etc...

 

[blakeh1]

Since the cat was out of the bag I started as well

Do have some questions about this optional part. I am guessing these might be flares or something?

Or this one. What is this part for?

And which of the two is appropriate for the F

I have not glued them in so I can still swap out if needed

 

[Edbert]

Attaching the front part of the nacelles.

 

[Edbert]

these might be flares or something

Those are engine compartment vents. The chaff/flare dispensers are on the underside right in front of the rear landing gear bays.

And which of the two is appropriate for the F

The first one you showed (I think), my book says only the earliest versions had the ones still on the sprue.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Since the cat was out of the bag I started as well

Do have some questions about this optional part. I am guessing these might be flares or something.

Or this one. What is this part for?

And which of the two is appropriate for the F

I have not glued them in so I can still swap out if needed

Those are the ECS vents. The one's you have on would be for the current F/A-18E/F/G Hornets, known as "Bard Stacks". The others are an older version flat vent that has been upgraded on all Block II and Block III aircraft.

The Environmental Control System (ECS) on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a sophisticated, high-reliability system critical for pilot survival, cabin pressurization, and avionics cooling. It utilizes high-pressure, high-temperature air, often relying on specialized sealing and ducting components, and has evolved to include BARD stacks (starting Lot 28) for improved cooling and to mitigate skin damage from hot air exhaust. Just for some insight into what the ECS System is. HTH

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Edbert Looking sweet! Now you really got me biting at the bits wanting to start, but I must resist until some of the goodies and paint come!

 

[blakeh1]

I will also be slipping in the Academy 1/72 F-18C

I figure I'll have the paints already to go. Might as well get as much light ghost grey/dark ghost grey painted as I can once I get the airbrush set up and running

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@blakeh1 What an excellent idea!