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1/32 Academy F/A-18C


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When it comes to the main fuselage of this kit, you can't follow the instructions. Otherwise you'll end up with the situation you're in now.

1. If possible, use the DMold intakes. They're seamless and have the correct intake profile. (the kit ones are too narrow).

2. Assemble the sides on to the bottom part of the fuselage first.

3. Then put the intakes on.

4. Then put the top half onto that assembly.

There are several good build threads on this forum for that kit. They should answer most of your questions.

Chucks CF-188 build... he pretty much set the de facto standard for building this kit.

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=196766

My meager attempt at the build...

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=210228

There are others as well, but these should get you through most of it.

thanks

David

Edited by RiderFan
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Thanks for the links, both great bulds. Im pretty sure mine will not turn out as good.Next time i will research other builds more before starting so i can see the weak spots. Frustration is setting in with the intakes. Fixed the parts but still gaps around them everywhere. Im going to fill them with Mr. 500 and go from there. Lots of sanding will have to be done. But on a good not the insides of the intakes fit perfectly together as you can see. Im hoping this is the last hurdle i have to get through before i can start some painting.

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I got the intakes filled and sanded down to where i like them. After I ptrime it, Ill probably have to add a little here and there or sand a little more, but im very relieved that i got through that without the model ending up hitting the wall :banana:

Now i have started to do some painting. This is what i just got done and looks pretty good so far. I just got a new phone with a killer camera on it and looks like i will not be using my digital camera anymore.

I also sanded and somewhat polished the big seam down the middle of the canopy and windshield using the novus 1 & 2. Im going to dip both of them in future to get a real good shine on it.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Been a while since an update so hereit is. I got it primed, preshaded and mostly painted. I still have the landing gear dorrs to do. I should have done them at the same time but I was eager to get some paint on it and I'm very pleased with the results

I used cotton balls to mask the gear bays and it worked great

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Wicked build. Look out for hte decals for the missiles and bombs if you are planning to use them, they suck. They will not lay down, I even used diluted white glue to try to get them to work. I would try to use TwoBobs missle decals if you can find them or paint them yourself. Another option is to get a hold of a new decal sheet from Academy. The decals in the F-16 kits are money and work amazing. Great job so far man keep it up Erick

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  • 10 months later...

So i wanted to give this a bump because ive started working on it again. A lot has happened over the last 8 months so ive had almost no time to work on it. Had a child, numerous car shows and meets and cruises not to mention a ton of overtime worked. But its basically winter time now, sooooooooooo back to the bench i go. It feels pretty good. Ill have pics up soon.

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  • 1 year later...

Let's see a picture of the intakes ^^ How did you get them done?

Been a while, but i will post a picture up soon of the intakes. I still need to build the ordnance for it. Had to take a long break but finally gonna have some time to finish this bad boy up all the way

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  • 6 months later...

Bringing this thread back from the dead. A lot has gone on in the past year and have not had much time. I've completed a couple smaller builds but now it's time to really finish this bad boy......after 2 years haha. The only thing left is weapons. I'm not trying to.be accurate on what was loaded together and for what purpose, I'm just building what I think will look good. I haven't gone to extreme measures with this kit as I wanted a simple out of the box build. Here's my progress for today.

AGM-88 sanded and primed, sidewinders built and Safeway halfway built with a little filler. These things go together beautifully

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New house....new work space. Extremely cluttered right now but working on getting it cleared out. Should have seen it before. Only thing that sucks, my 3rd child has to be backed out a little so I have room to work

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  • 3 weeks later...

Last update as this beeotch is finally done. Got the ordnance on and completed. One thing to note is, when attaching the sidewinders on the tips is that there is no place for them to bite on to. So made a little piece and clamped. Worked perfect. Also another note that someone else said, the decals suck.....a lot. None of them wanted to stay down.

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Last update as this beeotch is finally done. Got the ordnance on and completed. One thing to note is, when attaching the sidewinders on the tips is that there is no place for them to bite on to. So made a little piece and clamped. Worked perfect. Also another note that someone else said, the decals suck.....a lot. None of them wanted to stay down.

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Lovely work mate!....I've got the same kit on my shelf,although I sota overdone the weathering...

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It would have been done sooner but buying a house and having children slowed the process a bit haha. Im glad to be back at it now and having a space to do it finally. Plus, my boys are always in the garage with me so I have no excuse not to.

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