1/32 Academy F/A-18C Hornet

Converted to CF-188 Part 1 of 2

by Douglas K. L. Chan

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This large scale Hornet was finally released by Academy years ago. It was a big shock that time and now we even have the two seater from Academy. I am a two seater fans but I just couldn't resist building a big Hornet (what about another one now ?! Haha!). My original idea was to build a Canadian CF-188 in Tiger Meet of the Americas 2003 marking. However, the decal was not released after a long long wait, so I picked this 20 Years Hornet special.

There are some noticeable differences between a Canadian Hornet and an American Hornet. Thanks to Steve Bamford for an article right on this topic. The Academy kit already included a few options for one to build a Canadian Hornet. Still, don't forget to replace the tail fins by BlackBox.

First, the very simple nose landing gear bay. There was no modification to this part, but adding the Eduard parts. This got to be built first because the cockpit is to be sat on this landing gear bay.

I replaced the kit cockpit with BlackBox set and enhanced by Eduard parts. Here is the ejection seat. I love resin seat which looks very much like the real one with just thinned enamel wash and dry brush techniques.

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The BlackBox set is good. Side fittings, tub, and even the computer compartment. It is a shame that the computer compartment is totally concealed. I decided not to mount the wire mesh cover for the computer compartment, trying to let me peep at it.

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It took a little patience to cut the resin tub to fit the landing gear bay, and fit them into the forward fuselage. It was not too difficult but to do it with a file bit by bit.

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Next was to install Seamless Suckers' intakes. The kit intakes are of two haves and very small diameter, which I am definitely not able to do the sanding job. Of course now you have another choice from Meteor. I cut the engine into two, making the compressor fan to be mounted onto the seamless intake, and the turbine side to the exhaust nozzle. This could possibly avoid alignment problem and it really was.

The landing gears are the original provided in the kit, except that I added the Eduard parts. They are quite complicated indeed and there are quite a number of linkages to be connected. Make sure you have the main landing gears installed at the correct angle, they only look good at the right angle. Bend the pin of the main landing gear or drill the hole in the landing gear bay bigger to make adjustment easier.  

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Here are some more photos of the finished cockpit and canopy.

Douglas 

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Photos and text © by Douglas K. L. Chan