Ken Middleton Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 This will be my entry, the Testors 48th kit to make a CF-18AM from 425 Squadron using Leading Edge decals. It will be in-flight with 3 tanks, 2 live Sidewinders and 2 live Sparrows. I have not decided if the Sparrows will be on the fuselage or on the outside wing pylons. It will be similar to one of these jets in a photo from the Canadian Air Force website I have done some basic work - made the hole for the spotlight, and hope to use the nose glass piece of a Maverick missile. I also sawed off the 2 ficticious boxes that Testors molded onto the rear cockpit deck. The missiles are from an Academy F-15C kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Nice Ken...looking forward to this thread!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 Nice Ken...looking forward to this thread!! thanks Tilt! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Ken Great choice of subject. I may be somewhat biased, but I always like to see Eastern-based squadrons done up (or European-based ones). For the AIM 7s, I suggest the fuselage stations. I've never seen them mounted on the outboard wings with empty fuselage stations - it makes more sense to have them on 4 and 6. But then again, it is your model... With a 2 x 2 load, and 3 tanks, this aircraft could very well represent a NORAD alert aircraft on a live mission. I'll be watching this thread with interest. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 KenGreat choice of subject. I may be somewhat biased, but I always like to see Eastern-based squadrons done up (or European-based ones). For the AIM 7s, I suggest the fuselage stations. I've never seen them mounted on the outboard wings with empty fuselage stations - it makes more sense to have them on 4 and 6. But then again, it is your model... With a 2 x 2 load, and 3 tanks, this aircraft could very well represent a NORAD alert aircraft on a live mission. I'll be watching this thread with interest. ALF thanks ALF! You've been quite helpful and naturally I have been itching to do a CF-18 for a long time, especially in a NORAD config I was debating on doing the outer pylons after seeing these large shots of 441 jets on the CAF site http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/ne...talog=casimages I went back to see if anything was on the fuselage stations, and there is on the left one http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/ne...talog=casimages http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/ne...talog=casimages Opinions? The fuselage station pieces in the kit are sort of exaggerated, or have the mounting pylon molded for the pod already, and I have not test fitted the AIM-7 to it thanks Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/ne...talog=casimages Regardless of what you do.....that photo is just delicious!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Regardless of what you do.....that photo is just delicious!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Bratton Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Looking forward to this one, Ken. The Sparrows on the wing pylons make for an interesting loadout. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Looking forward to this one, Ken. The Sparrows on the wing pylons make for an interesting loadout.Cheers, Sean thanks Sean - still deciding on where to put them, but I do agree on them being on the outer pylons Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Ken Great pics - I hadn't seen those. It is unusual to see Sparrows on the outboard pylons without any on the fuselage stations, but I stand corrected - it is not unheard of! The pod in those pics is the Nighthawk B FLIR pod. I think the kit may have that pod - I do recall it has the large mount for the FLIR pod moulded into the fuselage already. The AM version of the CF-18 can be fitted with the Nighthawk pod, or now with the Sniper pod. I picked up a couple Sniper pods - one in 1/48, and the other in 1/32. I can't remember where I got both, but I remember one came from SHull. The mounting part is virtually identical (well, close enough for my purposes anyway) between the Nighthawk and Sniper. Both types of pod can only be mounted on station 4 (left fuselage), due to the cooling connections it contains. If you do choose to mount these missiles outboard (and I think they look cool there too), have a good look at the mounting hardware. It is subtly different from the USN mounts for AIM 7s on those stations. If you look at my big build on LSP you'll see some pics of Canadian vs USN mounts, and how I used the Academy 1/32 kit pieces to make it look OK. I'm afraid I don't know much about the kit parts for the one you're making. LSP link (about halfway down the page): http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.ph...mp;#entry191513 ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 KenGreat pics - I hadn't seen those. It is unusual to see Sparrows on the outboard pylons without any on the fuselage stations, but I stand corrected - it is not unheard of! The pod in those pics is the Nighthawk B FLIR pod. I think the kit may have that pod - I do recall it has the large mount for the FLIR pod moulded into the fuselage already. The AM version of the CF-18 can be fitted with the Nighthawk pod, or now with the Sniper pod. I picked up a couple Sniper pods - one in 1/48, and the other in 1/32. I can't remember where I got both, but I remember one came from SHull. The mounting part is virtually identical (well, close enough for my purposes anyway) between the Nighthawk and Sniper. Both types of pod can only be mounted on station 4 (left fuselage), due to the cooling connections it contains. If you do choose to mount these missiles outboard (and I think they look cool there too), have a good look at the mounting hardware. It is subtly different from the USN mounts for AIM 7s on those stations. If you look at my big build on LSP you'll see some pics of Canadian vs USN mounts, and how I used the Academy 1/32 kit pieces to make it look OK. I'm afraid I don't know much about the kit parts for the one you're making. LSP link (about halfway down the page): http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.ph...mp;#entry191513 ALF Hey ALF - I had thought about maybe putting a Sniper on there. I have a couple from a Kinetic F-16 kit, and from the latest Academy F-15C MSIP release. But will probably end up saving those. And thanks for the info on the mounting hardware - looks like you needed to leave off the smaller rail, that looks like an adapter of sorts? The ones in the kit are actually for HARMS, so I don't know their accuracy for AIM-7s, and will inspect them. So that alone may dictate they end up going on the fuselage stations. I won't go crazy regardless of where they are mounted. thanks for your help, Cheers Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 30, 2010 Author Share Posted December 30, 2010 I installed the 7/16th inch brass tube for the inflight pose, and secured with 5 minute epoxy. The tube on the left has burnt stuff on it because I tape the fuselage halves together, and then heat the tube with a candle, and press through the nozzle area to make the openings Now that the tubes are installed, I can move forward Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Looking good Ken! btw, what does the 'AM' in CF-18AM stand for? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Looking good Ken!btw, what does the 'AM' in CF-18AM stand for? The upgraded CF-18s have been called CF-18AM and CF-18BM - the M stands for Modified, while the A and B are single and dual seat versions. They can also be called CF-18A+ and CF-18B+. In other words, they aren't quite C or D versions, but they are significantly upgraded from the A and B. I echo your sentiments - nice solid mounting for the in-flight pose. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 30, 2010 Author Share Posted December 30, 2010 (edited) Looking good Ken!btw, what does the 'AM' in CF-18AM stand for? thanks! The "A" is standard for CF-18A, but I guess the M would be Modified, Midlife? I am sure others know - I'm just guessing! I see ALF answered! - thanks ALF! Edited December 30, 2010 by Ken Middleton Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Ahhh, I understand now. Thanks for clearing that up guys! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nerd Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Splitting the diff and going one on each would actually bring you pretty much right up to date: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54978852@N04/...1/in/pool-cf-18 Note the Sniper, and the non-Winder known as the FACE pod on the right wingtip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 31, 2010 Author Share Posted December 31, 2010 Splitting the diff and going one on each would actually bring you pretty much right up to date:http://www.flickr.com/photos/54978852@N04/...1/in/pool-cf-18 Note the Sniper, and the non-Winder known as the FACE pod on the right wingtip. Nerd - thanks for the info and link. Ironically, on Flickr, I had that image already saved as a favorite :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Nice work Ken. Looking forward to these. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 31, 2010 Author Share Posted December 31, 2010 thanks Mike! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nerd Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Nerd - thanks for the info and link. Ironically, on Flickr, I had that image already saved as a favorite :unsure: Ken, you have good taste! Really looking forward to seeing your work on this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 Ken, you have good taste! Really looking forward to seeing your work on this one. thanks Nerd! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share Posted January 8, 2011 time for an update..... here it is looking like a new CF-18 UAV the plastic strips filling the wing root gap need be trimmed of course. The clear support rods are not the ones I will be using - they are spare ones that I got too close with the heat gun and they bubbled. The tail/fuselage seam needs to be filled a bit, and the tail braces added as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share Posted January 8, 2011 then I moved onto trying to figure out how to do the spotlight I used a cut-off piece of an F-15 tail hook fairing as a backing, and then glued 2 small round pieces of clear lens. The backing piece is temporarily placed this pic shows the light just dropped in for the photo So, the question to you guys is... suggestions on making a clear cover the light, and then masking it for painting, or adding it somehow after it is painted? Any suggestions are greatly welcomed - thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I usually mask the spotlight myself Ken. Otherwise, looking great bud!! ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.