gb_madcat_sl Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 This Academy CF-18A Hornet was built OOB except for the pilot figure which was robbed from a Fujimi Tomcat. The fitting was excellent throughout and I never did encounter the "wonky" nose problem which some people have reported. The model was pre-shaded with Gunze flat black. Camouflage colours of Gunze FS36375 and FS35237 were then applied. The model was then given a gloss coat in preparation for the decals. The kit decals were printed by Cartograf and settled down excellently with some Mr Mark Softer. One error that Academy made was the colour of the Modex Nos. and false canopy. Instead of a dark grey, they printed them as black. I used them in any case as attempting to mask and spray the false canopy would have been a real PITA. Following the decals was another gloss coat. Then came the enamel panel wash and some light weathering. Finally, all this was sealed with a flat topcoat. The weapon selection was taken from the box. They came with full weapon stencils too, really making them "pop" out. Thanks for looking and hope you enjoy the photos. As usual, feedback and critique are most welcome. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Mark, very well done! Looks excellent! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Awesome build! Awesome display! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eastern Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Lovely build! Cheers and happy modeling! Alexander. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Wow, great presentation! Very nice job Mark! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 Thanks for the kind words, gents! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Mark, SHE IS A BEAUTY !!! Just LOVE the way you have dispalyed it,, The weathering is AWESOME and FLAWLESS painting shows off your HORNET so fabulously...love the tiny littel "wear " and dirt marks ... BRILLIANT HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skidbuggy Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Sweet build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 WOW. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fanakit Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Very good job ! very nice model :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NICHOLAS Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Sweet Build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks very much, guys! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) That's a very neat job, well done. I'd love to see a couple of pictures under natural sunlight. Edit: Tinkering around with photo editing software..... Edited February 4, 2010 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Excellent ... I love in-flight builds and I really like the way you mounted your Hornet ... :D The CF-18A looks just fantastic with the paint, weathering and loadout ... Top Shelf ! Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Thanks once again for the compliments, everyone. @Guy: Thats some really nice photoshopping! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Great build and great display, how did you fix the rod into the jet exhaust? I am thinking of doing an in-flight IIAF Tomcat and I would love to do it like you. Thanks for sharing, Arnaud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Thanks for the compliment, Arnaud. To mount the model, I first drilled a hole through the kit's engine turbine and afterburner flameholder section. Then I inserted an aluminium pipe. To secure the pipe, I used both CA glue and 2-part epoxy putty to give it additional strength. Finally, I bent the aluminium rod using a spray can as a guide and inserted it as far as i could to ensure that friction kept the model from rolling. Here's a diagram and a few photos of how I did it. Hope this helps! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Yeah, that's a great explanation thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Qian Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 This is my favorite shot!!! Really looks ready to be photo-shopped over some Rocky Mountains images! :D :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 (edited) This is my favorite shot!!! Really looks ready to be photo-shopped over some Rocky Mountains images! Not great I know but it's quite difficult to get the look right when superimposing an image taken under artificial light against a naturally lit background, particularly when the background contrast is so high. If Mark ever posts some shots taken in full sunshine I'll maybe have another go. Cheers, Edited February 10, 2010 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gervais8 Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Gotta tell you that gives me the inspiration to get my Hornet done in-flight too! Thank for the tips. RG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JesniF-16 Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Wow that's some great eye candy Mark Very nice Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Nice work, 776 was one of my favourite kits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Nice work, however only one GBU-12 was carried and mounted directly on the pylon. We just have standard VERs not CVERs which can carry two GBU-12s. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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