1/72 USMC F/A18 Red Devil

[Dminor9]

I recently was asked to build this kit from Academy by my nephew. He served with the Red Devils when he was in the Marines. He bought the kit in 2015 and was trying to find someone to build it for him. Now that he has moved to the town where I live, I was volunteered basically to be the builder. He wanted a gloss finish and all the proper markings for his VMFA group. He was an avionics specialist for the F18. SO I did the build and took it to him last week and he was blown away. He was very impressed. Probably more so than I was after the build. Of course I know all the little things that I wasn't super happy with, but as long as he liked it, I am good. Here are some pics of the build.
Oh, and this is also my fabulous workstation. About 1/4 of the dining table.

 

[TimM63]

I recently was asked to build this kit from Academy by my nephew. He served with the Red Devils when he was in the Marines. He bought the kit in 2015 and was trying to find someone to build it for him. Now that he has moved to the town where I live, I was volunteered basically to be the builder. He wanted a gloss finish and all the proper markings for his VMFA group. He was an avionics specialist for the F18. SO I did the build and took it to him last week and he was blown away. He was very impressed. Probably more so than I was after the build. Of course I know all the little things that I wasn't super happy with, but as long as he liked it, I am good. Here are some pics of the build. View attachment 107566View attachment 107567View attachment 107568View attachment 107569View attachment 107570
Oh, and this is also my fabulous workstation. About 1/4 of the dining table.

Nice build. I like the red. What shade did you use?
Looks like your workstation is the dining room table. Been there, done that until I spilled glue on the table and it took the varnish off. I had to go purchase a work station and refinish the table.

 

[Dminor9]

Nice build. I like the red. What shade did you use?
Looks like your workstation is the dining room table. Been there, done that until I spilled glue on the table and it took the varnish off. I had to go purchase a work station and refinish the table.

Thanks for the compliment. I used Tamiya X-7 Acrylic Red. The shade might look different being painted over the molded gray. I don't use red a lot, more for details than anything. I have protection down on the table. Several layers of glossy newspaper advertisements, with paper towels over top. I have spilled paint, glue, and thinner more than once, but the paper towels and paper advertisements have saved me from damage so far. Just don't have any room for my own spot to model, other than that. At some point I will most likely get a small workstation for that spot.

 

[Down Time]

Looks great!!! I have a 1/48 Maverick's Top Gun copy waiting in the wings (no pun intended).
I hope I can do it justice like you did on your build.
I was recently thrown out of the dining room myself, carved out a spot.

 

[Dminor9]

Thank you, Down Time, for the kind words. I have no doubt that you will do the F14 Tomcat justice! I, unfortunately, will have to stay at the table. I have no other room to make a workstation. But I will get a small workstation for the same spot.