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

[Dan the Modeler]

@MRDuczz Looking good! That saves color changes and need to paint more than one color other than primer! The thread has been quiet for some time, I also hope to change that in the next couple days, as all my upgrade parts are ALL finally in! I think this is going to be the most upgraded parts I've ever put on a single aircraft build in my life, so this will definitely be interesting.

 

[Wig41]

I primed with Mr. Surfacer 1500 White. Found areas that need some more work so I filled those with Mr. Surfacer 1000. Waiting till that's dry to sand some more.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Wig41 Awesome job thus far! Good to see the older variant with the rounded intakes.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

So here is a quick look at all the upgraded parts that will be going on my Meng FA-18F. All the parts I decided on are 3D printed resin, other than the Aires resin cast wheel bays set. I had a set of resin cast ejection seats, that were a step up from the kit parts, however, I found Mini Craft Collection 3D printed ejection seats that just take them to an otherworldly level of detail! Plus they are the later version of the SJU-17 seats that this build requires.

I have to say, cast resin parts are a great upgrade, but the cutting and sanding required from the casting blocks can be time consuming as well as hazardous. This is why I have found that finding quality 3D printed parts are a better fit for my approach, plus they tend to be slightly more pliable than the more rigid cast resin.

They are also printing parts with so much detail, they rival the actual parts on the real aircraft! I'll let them speak for themselves throughout the build, as I hope to get some good detail photos of them along the way. Stay tuned, the real building for my project starts now...lol.

 

[Edbert]

but the cutting and sanding required from the casting blocks can be time consuming

Generally a bigger problem with cast than printed, but yeah, a real pain and the most hazardous part of the hobby unless you're a glue sniffer I guess.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Long day today, but I definitely need some bench time to unwind. So I've pulled out the upgrade sets and I'm going through them along with the kit to make sure there is good fitment, and getting ahead of the curve for modifications that the kit part or upgrade will need to work seamlessly.

I started with the Fab Scale Exhaust Nozzles, which appears to be 3D printed, but the resin is pretty brittle and hard, which seems more cast resin like. Either way, working carefully with the parts to get them cleaned up so they are ready to paint, assemble, and fit to the kit when I get to those steps.

After getting the parts ready, the important dry fit shows they made the parts to drop right into the airframe without having to widen the mouth of kit, which I was extremely happy to find out. I've seen many other exhaust upgrade sets that require hollowing out the ends to get the new parts fitted. Here are some images of the fitting process.

I'll get this upgrade set cleaned up and ready, then store them until needed for the build. This way I can get all the upgrade sets tested, fitted, and modified as needed so I don't have to make the assembly and finishing stages any harder than it has to be.

 

[Wig41]

You've got a sound plan going there. I hope all the aftermarket works as well as these exhausts seem to be.

 

[blakeh1]

Impressive upgrades

In other Growler news, there was that mid air crash in Idaho between two growlers. Not sure if the cause, but thank God all four pilots survived. Kind of surreal watching them hooked together and spinning around in the sky like that

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@blakeh1 Thank you Sir! Yes, I saw the reel on the collision the day it happened, terrible loss of Growlers, but outstanding function of the safe ejection of the pilots and EWO's and that no life was lost! Terrible condition to find themselves in, but man were they the calm in that storm!

I heard a comment from one of the spectators that described it as it was like watching two eagles in a "death spiral". Pretty accurate description.

 

[Ron2]

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Beautiful job!

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Just a little bit of an update on the build at this point. My build will be a static dio as far as the aircraft is concerned on the flight deck, so I've been working the control surfaces of the wings getting them positioned as parked on deck, preparing it before moving forward launch. I started with the wing tips folded, with the leading edges extended, and the flaps retracted. The vertical stabilizers are positioned with the rudder toed-in, which my reference photos show for the way I'll display the aircraft. The main wing control surfaces will be positioned in the extended positions when I get to that point.

The tub and front landing gear will be tackled next, which is pretty extensive work with the resin upgraded landing gear bays. It requires a lot of modifications and removal of the interior walls of the forward fuselage to fit properly. Hope to have more detailed photos and progress to show soon.

Anyway, here's a look thus far...

 

[BarleyBop]

...some major work going on there!

 

[Wig41]

Looking good so far.

 

[Pantherman]

I must admit that I haven't done much on my build lately so hopefully I will get back to it next week. Pantherman

 

[Dan the Modeler]

On to the lower fuselage, particularly the landing gear bays, which need cleaned up and large portions of the cast resin removed to fit properly in the kit. I went with the Aires upgrade set in cast resin. They have very detailed relief and probably the closest match to the actual wheel bays I have seen. They will require a little interior modifications, since they will be fitted with 3D printed resin and metal landing gear upgrades over the kit parts.

A quick look at the bays as you receive them.

To remove all the extra casting, I first drilled pilot holes so that when using the fine saw, I wouldn't cut into the bays, and would remove small sections at a time to avoid binding up the saw on long cuts. Then it was just a matter of wet sanding them down to a flush level.

I then proceeded to do a simple test fit of the bay in the lower fuselage and inserted the kit provided intake. However, the intakes will be replaced with 3D printed resin seamless intakes printed in color. (Saves the painstaking task of painting the interiors of the intakes). Here are some images of the test fit and how well the new bays will work.

The front wheel bay requires a lot more work, as the interior of the two piece fuselage will need the walls thinned out so that the bay fits correctly. There is no need to fit the cockpit tub onto the bay, rather it attaches to the upper fuselage half on its own. Hope to get more done in a day or two, so that I can button up the bays and focus on completing the cockpit. More to come shortly...

 

[BarleyBop]

Wow, you really gotta want to go the extra mile with all of these enhancements: in cost, time and effort!
Gonna be sweet!

 

[Edbert]

Someone way back on page 1 or 3 was asking if it was too late to join the GB.

I think the answer is clearly a no

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Edbert That would be absolutely correct! These GBs are open till infinity and beyond!

 

[Edbert]

I've decided that I will add a bit more dirt and maybe some more post-shading on mine. Gonna keep it modest since I am using the high-vis insignias, they were treated better when not deployed and running sorties all day and night.

Trying to finish up a bunch of WIPs, the Growler is just one of them.

 

[MRDuczz]

Paint completed, gloss coat on, decals to go.

 

[Edbert]

Paint completed

That looks cool AF/AS.

The tri-color scheme extemed to Hornets?

 

[Dan the Modeler]

It's a great looking model! Great to see the older version of the hornet! Can't wait to see how it comes together.

 

[MRDuczz]

That looks cool AF/AS.

The tri-color scheme extemed to Hornets?

The color scheme was for the Naval aviation centennial. It represents VF-17 on the USS Hornet during WWII.

 

[Wig41]

I have started to apply the decals. These I got second hand and they came from the Monogram kit. Not an exact match for this Testors kit and I'm finding subtle differences between what's on the decal sheet and the photos I'm using as a guide. Both are for preproduction aircraft No. 1 but it's interesting seeing the little differences.

 

[Edbert]

Looks great Wig! I remember building the prototype a long timne ago, maybe 1979, maybe a bit later. But I made a mess of it, unlike you!

I know I've been dragging my ass in this GB, not as much as my buddy Dan, but you know how he is! I keep saying I'll work on it but don't'. Well today I did!

Here's my most recednt activity.

Port side is dirtied up a little, starboard in next, unless I change my mind.

Needs more footprints and smudges on the crew-side, I'll work on that.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Edbert I don't know what you are talking about! I'm already done with this build, I just post things slowly, much like my military days, always the first ones in, and the last ones out!

Anywho, your build looks great! Love the weathering, even for a CAG bird, doesn't look over weathered! I'm going to have to build Mengs G and E to go with my F. I'll end up with a 1/48 scale CVN on display!

 

[Edbert]

I don't know what you are talking about!

LMFAO!

Love ya bro.

 

[Edbert]

much like my military days, always the first ones in, and the last ones out!

I heard NAVY stands for...

Never
Again
Volunteer
Yourself

 

[Wig41]

Edbert your Growler is looking really good !

 

[MRDuczz]

Port side is dirtied up a little, starboard in next, unless I change my mind.

Needs more footprints and smudges on the crew-side, I'll work on that.

So, you're obviously using post shading of some type to dirty it up, what's your technique for that? It looks great!