Dave Roof

No knowledge of Snake, as his name isn't in any of my notes. However, as you're well aware, not every pilot in the squadron has their name on a jet. It also could have been on one before, or after I walked the flight line. No idea on FL48024 at the moment. Too many decals to release, not enough money to do them all!

These are my personal notes from ODS ( I wrote down the same info for every squadron we had at Sheik Isa). I'm friends with Boomer, as well as several other pilots that flew with other squadrons, on Facebook. If you do the Book of faces, the VMFA-314 page is a good source of info, and for catching up with Marines. **There was no BuNo painted on 04 when I walked the flightline, and I've never taken the time to learn what it may have been.

The Hasegawa intakes aren't sharp, and after looking at the sprue shots again, it appears the Uma intakes aren't as sharp as they appear in some of the overall shots. However, the shape looks to be off a bit.

Panel lines are way too deep Rivets are a bit too deep as well Seat looks weird Intake lips are too sharp Cockpit is a bit clunky Cover plate between the gun and ammo pack is way too big Nose/windscreen area looks a bit off Exhausts suffer from really bad mold lines due to the slide mold used to do them in one piece Extended refueling probe and dropped flaps are a nice touch, but overall a big disappointment for me personally. I'll stick to the 38 Hasegawa Harriers I've got in the stash!

The F/A-18D has been in stock at Spruebrothers for several weeks now.

No, the actuators are not in the same location, and the flaps, ailerons and cover plates are not the same size. A set for the Kinetic kit are coming. The Hasegawa flaps can be installed in the down position as well. These are simply single piece parts that make the whole assembly process easier.

https://www.flyingleathernecksdecals.com/p/fl48-8141-fa-18abcd-trailing-edge-flaps-for-hasegawa

Thank you. Very much appreciated!

Want to build the early NTS AH-1W as it comes in the box, but don't like the multi-piece, plain exhausts provided in the kit? We got you! https://www.flyingleathernecksdecals.com/p/fl35-5025-ah-1w-exhaust-ducts

I grew up in Olivehurst. Haven't been back to that area since 1992!

Now in Stock

Unfortunately that isn't going to happen. First, it would require an entirely new design. I already printed one in 48th and none of the contours line up to the kit. Second, the Italeri kit is the original Whiskey with the shallow nose, appropriate for Desert Storm era aircraft. It would need an whole new nose section and canopy, cockpit, new skids, and several other details. There is simply too much needed. In addition to that, I'd bet money we see a 1/48 version from either Trumpeter or Hobbyboss within a year.

List updated

I just received the file with all of the details added. Designer is going to make a couple more small adjustments, then I'll get it into production. We'll be doing the internal parts as separate pieces, and he's already started on those.

Interesting......I've actually considered this for the Flying Leathernecks line. Doesn't really 'fit', but need to expand. As luck would have it, the museum at Warner Robins has one on display, and it's only a 2 hour-ish drive. Got a new CAD guy that loves Helo's, so this may be right up his alley too!