Here is the 4th 1:32
scale CF-18 I have built from Academy's F/A-18C kit. The first 3 were
commission builds for friends with the gear up (in-flight). This is my
first that I get to keep, and also my first with gear down. I decided to
make a version that represents an air to air configuration that was used during
the Gulf War; 3 AIM 7s, 4 AIM 9s, and 3 tanks. This aircraft (759)
actually flew in the Gulf, then it was repatriated to Bagotville Quebec
post-war. That's where I flew it many times (see 08.jpg - that's me in the
aircraft).
I've made the paint
scheme like the Gulf-War timeframe (they were just starting to use the
post-office style Canada markings, vice the early CANADA block letters).
The decals were the brand-new Leading Edge Models CF-18 standard markings, and
the seat is an after-market Legend resin seat.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The Academy kit is
fantastic; it comes with lots of weapons, and is beautifully detailed.
I chopped off the requisite antennae, and scratch-built a few details for
fun (the orange Gun safety switch 'beer can', the yellow canopy jettison
handle by the canopy bow, and the remove before fight flags). There
is an in-progress build on another site - mail me if you want the link to
it; that's where lots of detail is explained about this build. I've
used pencil to weather the paint job. Aircraft like this one that
flew several years in Germany got quite filthy - no amount of washing
would remove the air pollution from the light gray. I didn't do any
pre-shading, just pencil and a wet finger.
This aircraft will
take a proud place in my office at work. One day I will build its brother
- a modern (fully upgraded) CF-18 complete with laser guided bombs and a brand
new Sniper targeting pod. Thanks for looking!
Dan McWilliams
Click on
images below to see larger images
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