1/48 scale F/A-18's other than the Hasegawa one.

[aerofan]

Hi Guys,

With the many manufacturers of 1/48 scale F/A-18 Hornets out there how do they rank against each other - Hasegawa would most likely be ranked at number one so let's leave it out and rank the others. Personally, I'm looking to see which alternative would be good without the cost of an arm and a leg. Thanks

[drhornii]

Hi Guys,

With the many manufacturers of 1/48 scale F/A-18 Hornets out there how do they rank against each other - Hasegawa would most likely be ranked at number one so let's leave it out and rank the others. Personally, I'm looking to see which alternative would be good without the cost of an arm and a leg. Thanks

Revell/monogram Hornets are great as long as you can live with the flaps up only, no other option.

Heard good things about Hobby Boss but they are as expensive as Has IIRC

[David Walker]

Older Hornets or Super Hornets?

[aerofan]

Older Hornets or Super Hornets?

Sorry. Forgot to mention that. Older Hornets. The Revell/Monogram F/A-18 A & C has raised panel lines?

[Darren Roberts]

After Hasegawa I would rate them as follows: (this is MY opinion.....if others disagree.....all is good)

Hobby Boss / Monogram (respective pros and cons of each kit make them even)

Revell (old release)

Testors (would only consider as a last resort)

AMT/ERTL (would only consider if your life depended on it)

I think there may be a couple more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

Of course, depending on which version of the Hornet you want to build, as well as from what time frame, could have an impact on which kit would be the best to use.

Dave

I dont' think I'd even depend on the AMT/ERTL kit even if my life DID depend on it.

[toadwbg]

I dont' think I'd even depend on the AMT/ERTL kit even if my life DID depend on it.

Fullly agreed.

[John B]

If you wanna do gear-up, flaps-up Hornet and are prepared to do work in the cockpit and add extra details, the Testors F/A-18A/B is the way to go. (It would very helpful to have a well-stocked bin of spare Hasegawa and Monogram Hornet parts, too.)

Gear-down, canopy-open on the other hand, I'd have to agree with what everyone else has posted.

[aerofan]

After Hasegawa I would rate them as follows: (this is MY opinion.....if others disagree.....all is good)

Hobby Boss / Monogram (respective pros and cons of each kit make them even)

Revell (old release)

Testors (would only consider as a last resort)

AMT/ERTL (would only consider if your life depended on it)

I think there may be a couple more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

Of course, depending on which version of the Hornet you want to build, as well as from what time frame, could have an impact on which kit would be the best to use.

Dave

Dave,

Is the Amt/Ertl Hornet the same as the Esci one? The Hobby Boss one looks good but it's cost is getting up there from it's original price. The Monogram one seems the best for the inexpensive bunch eventhough it has raised panel lines. The only good thing about the Testors one is the two seat 'B'. Just wondering but for some reason my memory keeps thinking there's an Academy 1/48 F-18A Hornet.

[fasteagle12]

After Hasegawa I would rate them as follows: (this is MY opinion.....if others disagree.....all is good)

Hobby Boss / Monogram (respective pros and cons of each kit make them even)

Revell (old release)

Testors (would only consider as a last resort)

AMT/ERTL (would only consider if your life depended on it)

I think there may be a couple more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

Of course, depending on which version of the Hornet you want to build, as well as from what time frame, could have an impact on which kit would be the best to use.

Dave

What about the Italeri kit? Is it the same as the Testors? I've seen it around a few times here and there.

[jefropas]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but has anyone heard about the Academy 72nd F-18 recently? Words been kinda mum since they said they were gonna do it. Thanks.

Jeff

[aerofan]

Dave,

I forgot to mention that Kangnam has a 1/48 scale F/A-18 Hornet. Is this more of a repop of the Monogram one with recessed panel lines. Creighton Henthorn Jr's review on it seems to indicate that it is a mesh-mash of Italeri and Monogram. If someone happen to have both, can you reply with a comparison. Thanks.

[B-ONE27]

I'd have to agree with the comments already made about the Testor's F/A-18A/B as I am currently finishing one as an Omars aggressors. If you do build it, be prepared to put some effort into this build-lots of putty and sanding, and to be honest, the shape says F/A-18, but the kit overall is a nitemare!

Nitemare 1-No engine fans in the intakes or engine nacelles, so of course intake and engine covers will be made.

Nitemare 2-Made six stab braces/plates from styrene for the vertical stabs as these are left out-also made out of styrene were the wingtip rail fences

Nitemare 3-The canopy for the B model is grossly mishaped and dosen't fit well in the closed position

Nitemare 4- The landing gear is a joke-tyres too big and struts oddly shaped. Being as I too do not relish spending big bucks on a Has or HobbyBoss Hornet, I chose this route so hopefully the TwoBobs VFC-12 decals pull this thing togther and make it a semi-enjoyable piece to look at-also do yourself a favor and resribe it-as I think that's the only reason it has made it this far to the paint barn-just got to put the brown on it, then decals-I can post pics.

Edited November 15, 2007 by B-ONE27

[atdb27]

For me there are now only 2 kids on the block

Hasegawa and Hobby Boss! :D

HB may have the edge now as they come WITH weapons. Ok you may still need Hasegawa W sets to do some uploads but on the whole HB give you pretty much everthing.

HB may be expensive Stateside right now but UK wise is £10.00+ cheaper than Hasegawa.

I have 6 HB F-18's to make yep 2 of each so far. Looking fwd to their Super Hornets!

Have part made an Italeri F-18 super Hornet and ummmm not impressed.

Other kits not touched/not bothered with and judging by most comments wont in the future either!

Adrian

[DonSS3]

Not defending the Testors kit by any means, but to be fair, the kit came out well before the plates and LERX fences were added to the actual aircraft.

[B-ONE27]

Not defending the Testors kit by any means, but to be fair, the kit came out well before the plates and LERX fences were added to the actual aircraft.

The lack of detail/need for improvement is not the issue-just meantioned as a con so that modeler knows what to expect-the fit and overall perspective is the bottom line horror. As this kit offers an inexpensive option for the B-model(which is why I purchased it) the offset is the buildup process and overall look-but again for someone like myself I'll make it do what it do :D

Edited November 15, 2007 by B-ONE27

[Matt Roberts]

For me there are now only 2 kids on the block

Hasegawa and Hobby Boss! :D

HB may have the edge now as they come WITH weapons. Ok you may still need Hasegawa W sets to do some uploads but on the whole HB give you pretty much everthing.

HB may be expensive Stateside right now but UK wise is £10.00+ cheaper than Hasegawa.

I have 6 HB F-18's to make yep 2 of each so far. Looking fwd to their Super Hornets!

Have part made an Italeri F-18 super Hornet and ummmm not impressed.

Other kits not touched/not bothered with and judging by most comments wont in the future either!

Adrian

Looking forward to HobbyBoss Super Hornets?!?!? :D

Where'd this one come from? I do remember hearing about Trumpeter doing 48th Rhinos a few years back, before we'd ever heard of HobbyBoss. Is this some new info that will be at the Nurnburg Toy Fair in February? That was where we'd heard of HB really for the first time. Though I think I remember hearing rumbles about the new Hornets about a year ago, a couple of months before the 'official' annoncements.

Matt

Hello my name is Matt and I am both a rumormonger and one who has built TWO - count 'em TWO - R/M Super Hornets!

<edit> I knew I'd seen it somewhere....from Aeroscale circa 2002 (thank you Google)

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=...ead&order=0

Edited November 15, 2007 by Matt Roberts

[Stephen]

For me there are now only 2 kids on the block

Hasegawa and Hobby Boss! :D

HB may have the edge now as they come WITH weapons. Ok you may still need Hasegawa W sets to do some uploads but on the whole HB give you pretty much everthing.

HB may be expensive Stateside right now but UK wise is £10.00+ cheaper than Hasegawa.

I have 6 HB F-18's to make yep 2 of each so far. Looking fwd to their Super Hornets!

Have part made an Italeri F-18 super Hornet and ummmm not impressed.

Other kits not touched/not bothered with and judging by most comments wont in the future either!

Adrian

In the UK Hasegawa Hornets well the F/A-18C were going for £24.99 which is £1 less than the Hobbyboss kits.

Stephen

[F-16]

Here is a good comparison for HB Hornet pricing on Cybermodeler. If you really want to get the HB kit, I recommend getting it at LM. That's the cheapest price around. I bought two Hornets at that price.

Hobby Boss Hornet online price comparison. (At bottom of page)

There is also a online build here in the In Progress Pics section: The full bug, Hobby boss 1/48 F/A-18C

There is another partial build here: Hobby Boss F/A-18A build.

Scott

CNJC-IPMS

[aerofan]

Not defending the Testors kit by any means, but to be fair, the kit came out well before the plates and LERX fences were added to the actual aircraft.

It was original a preproduction F-18A/TF-18A which would be the reason for it's inaccuracies. But as B-ONE27 mentions it is an inexpensive way to do a 'B'. Has anyonelse had any experience with the Kangnam kit? There are a couple of short reviews in ARC. Not sure if it is a good inexpense alternative to the Monogram/Revell and Testors.

[habu2]

Has anyonelse had any experience with the Kangnam kit? There are a couple of short reviews in ARC.

Short for a reason. Only two words are necessary in a Kangham (or Zhengdefu) kit review:

RUN AWAY!!!