Academy 1/32 scale F/A-18C Hornet

[Bill L2]

Great job Lee. I really like the way you captured the weathering on the plane. Great work. I do not know if the Navy is still flying the C Models anymore. I think the carriers are now crammed with Super Hornets.

[Ronnie Murray]

Way to go Lee, chalk up another huge model and your first complete build in your new world of New Mexico.  So, this is the start of the all new, Lee collection part ll.  I have to admit I still hold a grudge against the F-18 (for "replacing" the F-14 and A-6) and don't like it very much but your model does look like the real thing. 

[Ryan K]

Looks great, except for the Navy dekals. 

[Lee_K]

Thanks, Matt!  I love the asymmetric ordnance load-outs being used on today's attack aircraft and wanted to make sure I had a valid set of items to hang under the wings that I could verify in photographs of Iraqi Freedom operations.  Note the single AIM-9M Sidewinder on the port wing and nothing on the other.  The "goofy gas" configuration of one tank on the center line and one tank on the starboard inboard pylon allows better visibility for the LANTIRN pod on the port air intake.  Then there are three types of things that blow bad guys up: a plain dumb bomb on the starboard outboard pylon, a laser-guided GBU-12 bomb on the starboard inner pylon, and a laser-guided AGM-65 Maverick missile on the outer starboard pylon.  Masking, painting, and weathering all that ordnance was a project unto itself.

Lee K

[Matt C]

This is fantastic! I liked the drooping LGB heads, really made it come alive.

[Lee_K]

Bill Leary and I decided that 2014 was "The Year of the Hornet" in order to motivate the both of us to build this magnificent but labor-intensive kit.  It has over 900 parts and some of the teeniest pieces I have ever had the misfortune to apply.  Anyone who says that building 1/32 scale kits is better for older modelers with failing eyesight has no idea how difficult it can be.  Anyway, I used Rhino Modelworks resin air intakes, a Cutting Edge ejection seat, and Twobobs decals that Tony sold to me about ten years ago.  Heavily weathered to match photographs of F/A-18s in the Iraqi Freedom operation.









Happy Thanksgiving, Eagle Squadron!

Lee K