1/48 Hasegawa NSAWC F-18A

Gallery Article by Ryan Turgeon on Sept 1 2009

 

I completed this model for the "Flight test, Evaluation and Aggressor" group build.  I used the generic F-18C boxing but modified the tail fins to represent an "A" model hornet.  The kit built very nicely with only minor filling and sanding needed around the intakes.  I scratch built the intake and exhaust covers using masking tape to represent the jet parked on the ground.  Although not as common as when at sea, I did find a reference picture of the wings folded parked at NAS Fallon.  I used the Wolfpack Designs resin set to fold the wings.  

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The CTAM-9 was from the Tamiya F-16 kit, the ACMI pod was from the Weapons D set with scratch built weight collars and the sidewinder cover was from Dr Pepper resins.  Fightertown "Ultimate Adversaries 2" sheet was used to represent the NSAWC aggressor 41 from 1996-2005.  The real airframe now wears the tan camo paint of the VFC-13 and sits aboard the USS Midway museum in San Diego.  Painting this model was a bit challenging as no match for FS 30279 exists. Custom mixes must closely match the decals.  I would like to thank Brian at Fightertown Decals for his help finding a paint mixture to match the decals.  I used model master enamels to paint this plane. 

I was very happy with the final results of this project.  My favorite part about this model is the how the demarcation line passes perfectly through the "NAVY" decal on the port side.  For more information, see the build thread here: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=176822 

Ryan Turgeon

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Photos and text © by Ryan Turgeon