Mr.Happy Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Very good job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 Hey Phantom, Many thank for you kind words. I’m a big fan of your work. Take care & Keep building, Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Nice one! Not too many out there in the early scheme! And the Black Knights are pretty cool too! Nooooooice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 Thadeus, Thank you for noticing the early livery. The decals are old Microscale Decals 30 plus years or so. They worked flawlessly. Take care, Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 Good job on that classic Monogram. 👍 Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 15, 2022 Author Share Posted May 15, 2022 Thanks Geoff M, The kit was made/molded in America, as were the decals and glue. 🇺🇸 Build more, post more, & inspire more, Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cruiz Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Teeradej Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Very nice built. Amazing cockpit detail! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 Teeradej, sawatdi and khopkhun for your observation and kind words. Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Wow, very beautiful build, Mr. Happy! Very nicely done! 👌 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 17, 2022 Author Share Posted May 17, 2022 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Really nice job Mr. Happy ..! 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 28, 2022 Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 Oh wow! Thanks Gregg that means a lot good sir. 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 28, 2022 Author Share Posted May 28, 2022 P.S. If in Texas or close by SCALEFEST 2022 will be happening this June the 4th in Grapevine, Tx. Hope to see some ARC folks out there. Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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