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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images below to see larger images
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.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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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image below to see larger image
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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.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Here are some more photos of the
finished cockpit and canopy.
Douglas
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images below to see larger images
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