1/32 Academy F/A-18C Hornet

Gallery Article by Carlos Concepcion on Aug 23 2003

 

I check ARC everyday and get some helpful tips and techniques every once in a while. I also browse the gallery and get some inspiration from there as well. Thought I would contribute some photos of my Academy 32nd scale F/A-18C Hornet.   

 

Click on images below to see larger images

Probably the best kit I've ever had the pleasure of building, except for some minor fit problems with the intakes, otherwise, this model went together beautifully. 

I wanted something different other than the kit-supplied "Year of the Golden Dragon" markings that everyone else was likely to build, and opted for CAMdecals 32-104, VFA-22, Fighting Redcocks, USS Carl Vinson. 

For those wanting to build these models but were somewhat intimidated by parts and/or complexity, try a different approach. I broke tradition on this Hornet by first building the external weaponry and associated pylons (instead of cockpit first) and painted and decaled them to completion. I then moved on to the landing gears, same treatment. Doing things this way forces you to concentrate on one particular subject matter and ignore everything else. The wings came next, then the rear fuselage, intakes, twin tails, flaps, slats, until you have nothing left but to tackle the cockpit. To aircraft modelers, the cockpit is the most worked on, detailed aspect of the model. My approach was "save the best for last." Before you know it, you've completed the cockpit and are left with several sub-assemblies that just need put together. Best of all, the landing gears and weapons are already assembled, painted and decaled. To most modelers that follow the traditional building process, they get bogged down when they get this far. They realize they still have these parts to build, and, more often than not, end up boxing the project out of frustration, probably not to be touched again for several months, if ever. 

With this technique, once all the major sub-assemblies are put together, it's off to the paint shop, decal, and finishing touches. And there you have it. It took me about a month to complete my Hornet; a couple of hours nightly, a little more on weekends. A lot of patience, especially with the landing gears, probably the most complex aspect of this project. But I had a lot of fun. I liked it so much I have second kit already in the works. Knowing where the pitfalls are, I can take my time building it. Enjoy!

Carlos Concepcion

Click on images below to see larger images

 

      

Photos and text © by Carlos Concepcion