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F/A-18A of VMFA-314 circa 1983


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This is the old 1/48 Monogram F/A-18A. (Molded in the U.S.A.) It was the ‘Hi-Tech’ boxing of the mold, which gave the modeler a small fret of P E parts. 
 

The parts included were P E seatbelts, HUD, canopy railing, mirrors, and a boarding ladder. 

 

My build was on some of the early Alpha Hornets that the U.S.M.C. received back in 1983. VMFA-314 was one of the units to have broken in the new birds at that time.
 

Respectfully I hope I can contribute this to the Hornet Group Build?

 

BTW; If you are able to make it June the 4th Scale Fest is back in Grapevine, Tx this year. 
 

Take care all, Be safe, & Keep building,

 

Mr. Happy

 

 

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Nice work on that old Monogram Hornet; if I remember correctly, it was labeled as the A-18; it also seems to have the shortest tailplanes of the original release.

 

I like both your work and the choice of markings.

 

Thanks for sharing

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Cruiz,

 

Thank you for your kind words. 
 

Yes you are correct that Monogram listed the kit as A-18  (Good memory) and yes the twin tails on the Monogram was too short. I think Monogram may have based the tails off the pre-production Hornet.

 

I replaced my kits tails with an old Hasegawa F-18A’s tails.

 

Take care,

 

Mr. Happy

 

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Hey Crackerjazz,

 

Thank you so much for you comment. 
Hope you have some more of your great builds to show us soon. 
 

Take care,

 

Mr. Happy

 

If your in the Metroplex/DFW area on June the 4th be sure to check out SCALEFEST 2022 in Grapevine, Tx.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Really nice job Mr. Happy ..! :thumbsup:

You nailed the early scheme ..!

I use to go plane spotting at MCAS El Toro often back in the 80s and remember quite well when the "Hornets Nest" started buzzing ..!

 

-Gregg

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Oh wow!

 

Thanks Gregg that means a lot good sir. :salute:
 

 I based my kit off of some the first Hornets the Marines received back in 1983/84 time period. 
 

I had saved a August 1984 issue of WINGS magazine from my High School days. Now some 38 years later I finally got around to building a replica of some the Hornets that were at El Toro.

 

Maybe I’ll build a VMFA-531 F/A-18A in the future.

 

Take care and again Thank you for your comments,

 

Mr. Happy

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