Rick De Smet Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hi fellows, A few months ago when I posted my big Flanker I've told you I was going to do the same with some of my other kits. This time up is my big Aussie Hornet. I was sold from the first picture I saw from this Hornet. The Australians really applied a magnificent painting on this bird to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the F/A-18. And when I found myself a copy of the decals for it the game was on. I've based myself on the Academy F/A-18C kit but this kit needed some modifications to present an accurate F/A-18A from the RAAF. This involved the removal of some of the tail & fuselage antennas, a new cockpit set and the addition of the IFF and lower fusalge bulges ( which are provided by Academy in their kit ) Painting this bird up in the high gloss blue was more difficult then I first though. You could see almost every little error and dust. But after A LOT of clear coats, sanding, clear coat, sanding, clear coat, sanding....It was finally acceptable for me. The decals I used are the ones from Leading Edge. This set is just HUGE! 7 A5 sheets of decals :D But applying them wasn't easy. It seems that they've used a lot of ink to make the decals making them quite thick and brittle. I've applied 3 coats of DACO's strong decal setting but even then some of the big decals just wouldn't melt like they should have done. But nevertheless I'm happy with my result. I was even happier when the model was rated Highy Commended at the 2010 Flanders Modeling Contest. So here it is : That's it folks. Greetz Rick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eastern Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 That is really great looking Anniversary Hornet! Very nice paintwork and very nice subtle weathering! Cheers! Alexander. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gambler Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 WOW, that is an outstanding job Rick! I've never seen a 32nd scale Hornet done in this scheme, and you have done an absolute beautiful build with this one. Superb! Jeff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blackhawk7 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Superb job!! I've got those decals in the box too... just waiting for a chance to get out! I love how its spotlessly clean, yet a little dirty at the same time! Cheers, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Wow, excellent job, I love the paint job. And those Aires exhausts look outstanding. One tip for future reference about the Leading Edge brand decals, they like warm or heated water to dip in, that softens the carrier film and ink and allows them to settle down easier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Fantastic Hornet ! That's a Great Scheme and you've done it Justice ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waco Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 ARRRRGGGHHH!! I wish folks would stop posting pics of their builds and or Hornets in cool schemes! Now I have to add this one to the list. If I'm succesful at tracking a set of these decals down, I sincerely hope I can do as much justice to the build as you've done, Rick. That is absolutely gorgeous. Nice work! -Waco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I am amazed by this stunner... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
I'm newbie Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 look like thunderbird ,but this is outstanding Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 That is one seriously great looking scheme on a Hornet.....kudos to the RAAF . Great job on the build... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DDC Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Fantastic work! That's a stunning build. Denzil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Wow! great job! ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimz66 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 (edited) Hey boys we got a sure SHOW WINNER here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^_^ nough said Edited March 23, 2010 by jimz66 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Very nice ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Excellent work there. Very impressive. if you want some review pics of the real thing check here; http://www.boeing.com/global/Australia/Yea...74846_0138.html Regards Andrew :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Rick, that's very nicely done, very pretty scheme. Cheers, Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foxtwo Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 man......one of the pretties hornet model seen...... Pat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nimrod77 Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 Extremely nice work!! Only one bit of constructive criticism is that Australia doesn't use the vinyl intake blanks you have shown here, we use foam filled "plug" style blanks. Awesome job on the decals! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
model mob Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Extremely nice work!! Only one bit of constructive criticism is that Australia doesn't use the vinyl intake blanks you have shown here, we use foam filled "plug" style blanks.Awesome job on the decals! Is this a recent change then? http://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia--...f2f6184989a6bec The reason I ask, is that I've got an RAAF 'tub' on the go and was planning on using the above pic for reference. Cheers, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Beautiful! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sukhoi Su-27 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 AWESOME! Great job done there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Beautiful Hornet and very clean gets a big Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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