1/48 Hasegawa F/A-18C

by Gonzalo D. Mendoza

--------------------

  Sept 11 2006  --  5th Anniversary of 9-11

 

Well as far as F/A-18C go, or any variant for that matter, the Hasegawa kit is hard to beat. The detail in this kit is incredible. It went together very well, but I did have a little difficulty with the intakes and chaff/flare dispenser. Otherwise the kit went together great. I used Model Master Enamel paints, Dark ghost Grey and Light Ghost Grey for the exterior. I used a can of gloss white paint purchased from W..- Mart in several light coats to build it up. I weathered the model using a black wash and pastels chalk. I tried no to over do it. I am currently working on several models with the Hasegawa 1/48 F/A-18D being one of them. I learned a lot from this one and it was a joy. The decals were from Two Bobs. What can I say about Two Bobs that hasn’t been said already. The decals went on smooth with no problems. I did have to use Microsol to get the nose decal to conform. There were a few air bubbles, but I think it was my fault they were there not because of the quality of the decals. If you haven’t used Two Bobs decals they are great. The JDAMS are from the Hasegawa 1/48 Weapon Set D. I think I scrounged a few external tanks from another Hasegawa F/A-18A. Everything else is out of the box except aluminum foil seat belts which I painted. I dipped the canopy in Future to get it to shine because I accidentally scratched it.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

I built this model as a tribute to all the men and women who are serving in our armed forces regardless of which service they are in. It is also a tribute to all the men and women who’s lives were changed the fateful day of September 11, 2001. The paint job of this particular F/A-18 was done as a tribute to all who sacrificed that day. This aircraft belongs to VFA-146Blue Diamonds. There are 50 stars painted on the aircraft including the national insignia. The paint scheme was inspired by CDR Jethro Hansen. He owns a Hot Rod which had a fire paint scheme which gave him the idea for this particular look. The flames were originally blue and yellow when she deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, but the corrosion personnel wanted something more patriotic. AN Adrian Quintero came up with the idea for the new paint scheme. He drew up his idea and sent it up the chain of command.

There is a Moose painted on the side under the front wind screen. Capt. R.C. “Dawg” Thompson wanted this painted on to pay tribute to his old squadron mate “Moose” who was killed on Flt 93 on September 11, 2001. He died heroically along with the other passengers while subduing the hijackers on that fateful flight which failed to reach its intended target in Washington D.C. Capt. Thompson flew this aircraft during the first VFA-146 attack into Afghanistan.

I hope you enjoy my model and I welcome any critiques anyone might have. I am trying real hard to get better at our special hobby. A special thanks goes out to all who serve our country, Thank You!  

Thanks and Enjoy!!!

Gonzalo

Photos and text © by Gonzalo D. Mendoza