1/48 Hasegawa EA-18G Growler

Gallery Article by Ian Macdonald on June 1 2011

 

This is my first submission to the site.  The reason for this build was kind of by accident.  I bought the decals first because I wanted them for the EA-6B Growler after I saw Two Bobs released them.  I saw a picture of this Prowler years ago and fell in love with the red and the scorpion tail and also that VAQ-132 is based out of Whidbey Island which is about 45 minutes away from me.  Two Bobs gives you decals for both the Prowler and the Growler.  So I did the Growler first.  I started with the Hasegawa F/A-18F Super Hornet kit and a Steel Beach Conversion kit with pods.  The kit was very nice as usual of Hasegawa kits.  On the other hand I was very displeased with the steel beach conversion kit.  Almost every piece was full of air bubbles and was unable to use the propellers for the underwing pods.  This was my first time using resin parts.  I've just recently returned to the hobby after I took a break during my teenage years

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

I first shot a coat of gloss, applied decals and then shot a coat of flat clear.  I painted it with Model Master enamels and weathering was done with a mix of pastel chalks, water and dish soap.

All in all it was a good build but if you want to do a Growler in this scale, I recommend you wait for the release of the Hasegawa EA-18 sometime in June instead of using the conversion kit.

Ian Macdonald

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Ian Macdonald