MarineAir

I've never painted an entire model with chrome silver, just painted details with it. My experience with chrome silver is that it never dries hard like a regular color. It remains soft, and will rub off, smudge, & show fingerprints years after being applied. Not sure what the chemical makeup is of the stuff, but it is definately not a regular paint. Wouldn't be my first choice for a natural metal finish because of that. How did you apply the silver and how long did you let it dry before clearing?

I've had an old 1/32nd scale Hasegawa Hi-Grade series OA-4M Skyhawk sitting on the shelf for several years, and would like to eventually build it. The decal sheet has yellowed badly and the cockpit could use lots of added detail. Anybody know of decals or detail sets available for this odd bird? I've also been unable to locate any reference material on the thing. I love the looks of the thing with all the bumps, bulges, and other antenna sticking out of it..... Plus, Scooters are just cool anyway! Brian

I was in Wal-Mart last week getting an color in cartridge for my printer & noticed they carry a similar unit for $79. It was some off-brand thing, but looked like it would be very useful for model photography. Its designed for photographing objects for online auctions. They also cary a higher prices version at $140. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8144814

Ok, this was driving me nuts since I have the seat painted, drybrushed, & ready to go in the cockpit. After looking intensely at the seat, photos, and a flight manual I have access to, I finally see what you're referring to, Dave. The actual headrest, on the front of the parachute box is incorrect. It is shaped identical to that of an SJU-5/6 seat. The Naces seat does not have the large side bolsters that the 5/6 seat has. I'm glad there are 2 seats per package, since I am now taking the 2nd seat & wittling down the headrest to try to make it look right. Shouldn't be too difficult a

I am using the True Details seat on my late-C Hornet. It is a Naces seat, but has some detail issues. The catapult manifold located on the back of the 'chute box is incorrect & needs scratch built (easy with good photos). The safe/armed handle is molded in the armed position which is incorrect if the canopy is open & no pilot (easy fix). There is no emergency oxygen pull-ring next to the seat cushion, but that is another easy fix. The only somewhat major blunder I could find with the seats was that the pitot tubes were not molded in. Someone would have to look reeeaaalllly hard to not

I've asked my son about this same subject a couple times. He's been working on C models for almost 4 years now, although he's an avionics guy, not an airframe guy. His opinion was most pilots leave the rudders canted inward when parking the aircraft, since they will take off with them in this position to help the aircraft rotate. Apparently the only time you'll see them both canted outward is if the aircraft sits for days, maybe weeks, and the hydraulics bleed off. He doesn't think legacy Hornets have the ability to intentionally cant them both outward. Only Super Hornets can do that, as a fo

Ya, my son had told me these things run about 250-275 psi of nitrogen (I think), but was looking for something a little better than the kit pieces. The other problem with the Golden Dragon tires was they are TOO bulged! They're almost flat. Am looking forward to the Royale Resin pieces, Doug! Thanks.....

I got a set of Golden Dragon wheels from Great Models and these things are terrible! The wheels are full of sink holes, flash, and are really bad looking. Does anyone else make bulged tire/wheels for the Hasegawa 1/48th hornets? Brian

Thanks for the info. I've got some old clear parts laying around that I'll try the Future, then Tamiya tints on until I feel comfortable. Thanks again! Brian

I'm building a late-version F/A-18C and have seen other models of aircraft that have had their canopies "tinted" to represent the gold-ish anti-reflective coating used on later model aircraft. Does anyone have information on how to represent the coating on a model? Thanks, Brian

Colpar rocks!!! Was there about 5 years ago when the wife was sent to Greeley on business. Full line of plastic & all the aftermarket resin & pe you could ever want. I spent about 2 hours in there in a styrene induced trance......

Maybe everyone knows about this, but I just stumbled onto it. If it is old news, please forgive me. If you need photos to detail an ejection seat, chances are this site has them. Seats are all shapes, sizes, & models. http://www.ejectionsite.com/seatgalnf.htm Brian

The Super Hornets come with SJU-17 ejection seats. I was looking for the same info. for the late model "C" I'm building and came across this website. First is the sites main page which will lead to a listing of almost every ejection seat known to mankind with photos. http://www.ejectionsite.com Then this address will take you to the SJU-17 pics: http://www.ejectionsite.com/sju17seat.htm This site is priceless to us detail freaks!!! Brian P.S. Here's another helpful site showing part descriptions & seat details: http://www.tpub.com/asm/32.htm

I agree with Doug- depends on what type of finish is used. You don't dare put tape on metalizer! I did an F4-G and painted the fuselage first, then metalizer, then weathered & cleared the whole thing. Came out great. I've got an F4-J & an FG-1 waiting in the wings and might try foil on one of them. If it doesn' work, I'll pull it of & spray metalizer! Brian

Thanks for the input guys. Glad to know I'm not the only one that has problems with this set. You're right, Jeff. I've got the pit sidewalls filed so thin I can see light thru them when held up to the ceiling light. I thinned the top of the wheelwell slightly, but also thinned the canopy rails paper thin to raise the pit in the fuselage. Now I'm working to get the I.P. combing to fit properly in the front of the fuselage. Can't attach it to the pit 'cause it will sit too low. It needs to be raised approx 1/16th of an inch (or approx. 1mm) off the bottom of the pit. Will narrow the opening i