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

[Edbert]

I have the decal set for that digital F/A-18E. It's on my to do list somewhere down the line.

Gauntlet laid, timer started!

You cannot back out now bro!

 

[Wig41]

Oh no …. I have too many other projects going. I can't start another! Or can I … ?

 

[Ron2]

Oh no …. I have too many other projects going. I can't start another! Or can I … ?

Do it. You know you want to.

 

[MRDuczz]

Progress being made. Hasegawa has seen fit to make me use metal landing gear, which I never have done before. Not sure why they felt it was necessary. Another opportunity to excel I guess. The nose turned out to be a little wider than the fuselage, so that's the next step.... (see what I did there?)

 

[Jantk14]

I went with Quinta Studios cockpit decals so I spent some time tonight removing all the dials switches and knobs

 

[Edbert]

I went with Quinta Studios

Good choice! I also like similar stuff from "Red Fox".

 

[Wig41]

A lot more putty for gap filling on this Testors kit.

 

[Pantherman]

I have been a bit slow with this GB so decided to get building again. Pantherman

 

[Edbert]

Post shading is not the only stage where I screw up a build, but it is a major one.

 

[Jantk14]

Working on the cockpit. These Quinta Studio decals really are very cool. I'm considering going open cockpit on this build.

 

[Wig41]

With a cockpit like that, I'd go open as well!

 

[Jantk14]

So I was planning on putting in the pilots with this build, but they don't fit. As you can see the console does not fit between their legs. Even with some elbow grease I can't make them fit. I think the only option is either cut their legs off, seriously shave down the sides of the consoles or not put the pilots in. Im not a fan of any of those options. I'm open to suggestions. I hope this isn't a sign of how this Hasegawa kit is going to fit for the whole build.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

So I was planning on putting in the pilots with this build, but they don't fit. As you can see the console does not fit between their legs. Even with some elbow grease I can't make them fit. I think the only option is either cut their legs off, seriously shave down the sides of the consoles or not put the pilots in. Im not a fan of any of those options. I'm open to suggestions. I hope this isn't a sign of how this Hasegawa kit is going to fit for the whole build.View attachment 184297

I think the only other option may be to find better aftermarket pilots that are closer to scale.

 

[Jantk14]

That is a good idea. I think the only real option otherwise is to cut their legs off and see how it looks. If it looks stupid I'll just go without the pilots. I do have the Quinta studio seat belts and harnesses so it will look good without the pilots. Just wasn't planning on that.

 

[BarleyBop]

options

I don't know if the figure is too big from a scale perspective, but in these situations with armour and softskin vehicles, I would try filing the inside of the legs to fit the shape of the console... as well as the outside of the pant legs that might be touching. Sanding the butt and/or the back can also help if the seated angle is wrong.
The thing is, once the pilot is painted and seated, none of those adjustments will show.
When in doubt, I always start by modifying the figure if possible. He is squishy, an aircraft/vehicle isn't!

 

[Jantk14]

I made some progress. I cut the legs off and they fit fine. Looks good. Probably couldn't tell unless you were looking for it. But I think I'm going pilotless. I put the decals on the seat and I think it looks very cool.

 

[Edbert]

But I think I'm going pilotless. I put the decals on the seat and I think it looks very cool.

Good call IMO. Unless doing a wheels-up build, I prefer no pilots.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I made some progress. I cut the legs off and they fit fine. Looks good. Probably couldn't tell unless you were looking for it. But I think I'm going pilotless. I put the decals on the seat and I think it looks very cool.View attachment 184307

Nah. Don't feel bad. I have I think two models that are piloted by the most amazing young men with no legs!

 

[Jantk14]

Completed cockpit. No pilots

 

[Ron2]

Working on the cockpit. These Quinta Studio decals really are very cool. I'm considering going open cockpit on this build.View attachment 184244View attachment 184245

The switches are decals?

 

[Ron2]

So I was planning on putting in the pilots with this build, but they don't fit. As you can see the console does not fit between their legs. Even with some elbow grease I can't make them fit. I think the only option is either cut their legs off, seriously shave down the sides of the consoles or not put the pilots in. Im not a fan of any of those options. I'm open to suggestions. I hope this isn't a sign of how this Hasegawa kit is going to fit for the whole build.View attachment 184297

Sorry I'm late to the party and it's too late to help with this build but… I had the same issue, I wonder if that was a Hasegawa kit too, what I did was take my dremel to the pilots butt and thighs. Quick glance and he had legs, look at it enough and you would think that man has stick legs! Haha. I've also cut the legs off in the past.

 

[Jantk14]

The switches are decals?

Yea everything in the cockpit except for the sticks are 3d decals. You can get them on eBay. Pretty easy to put them on.

 

[Wig41]

Your cockpit looks great and not having the pilots in there is no great loss.

 

[Edbert]

Alright! I have spent a few hours spraying, hyper-thin, hyper-careful, but am a bit frustrated that it barely shows.

I guess that is sort of the point. Right?

 

[Frank Richards]

Slow start due to wrapping up a few other projects but managed to glue a few things and spray some paint and apply some decals.

View attachment 182814

Vacation related delays but back at work now.

 

[MRDuczz]

So I was planning on putting in the pilots with this build, but they don't fit.

I'm building the Hasegawa F/A-18 and my pilot also would not fit. I usually don't use a pilot, but I wanted the flaps and slats up, so decided to use him. He is also now of the Douglas Bader persuasion.

 

[blakeh1]

Completed cockpit. No pilotsView attachment 184388View attachment 184389

Impressive results

 

[blakeh1]

Alright! I have spent a few hours spraying, hyper-thin, hyper-careful, but am a bit frustrated that it barely shows.

I guess that is sort of the point. Right?

View attachment 184420

I have never really gotten pre-shading to work as well as I would have liked it to, but on the flip side, having it more subtle is way better than being overexaggerated. I think overall it turned out quite nice. I really like the effect on the rivet sections of the main wings, just enough variation to look convincing. And that Thunderbird is just downright incredible

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Good news, bad news. Bad news first, started by cleaning up a lot of the aftermarket parts to make sure they are going to work, and so far, so good. However, starting with step 1, missing a few small parts, and the tub seemed to have some voids as if something was off during mold casting. Good news, sent the info to Meng customer service, and just waiting on the new fret to arrive. In the meantime, been collecting paints and decided on an upgraded landing gear set. So fingers crossed, I hope to have some actual building going on in a week.

 

[Frank Richards]

Good news, bad news. Bad news first, started by cleaning up a lot of the aftermarket parts to make sure they are going to work, and so far, so good. However, starting with step 1, missing a few small parts, and the tub seemed to have some voids as if something was off during mold casting. Good news, sent the info to Meng customer service, and just waiting on the new fret to arrive. In the meantime, been collecting paints and decided on an upgraded landing gear set. So fingers crossed, I hope to have some actual building going on in a week.

On my Meng I've had voids in the sprues but only on the supports, none on the actual parts (so far anyway, should check the rest and make sure). First time I've encountered this.