CF-18 439 Sqn Tiger Meet

[Kaireckstadt]

Nice progress on the Hornet Carl.

Looking very good!

[BlrwestSiR]

Thanks folks! Progress is coming along nicely. Better than I had thought it might. 

I installed the resin intakes. By leaving the front half unglued it was easy enough to bend them apart slightly and slip in each intake. Before I did that, I painted the interiors in white and added the engine fan faces. 

Here you can see both intakes in place and the front still unglued. 

Once the CA dried, I aligned the sides and houses them together. 

Next up was the fuselage sides. To get the edges lined as best as possible, I inserted a piece of sprue to act as a spreader bar. This was temporary as it lifted the gear bay high enough so I could glue it to the side but too far from the top. 

I then glued the side panel in place along the MLG bay and fuselage bottom only. 

This left a small gap along the sides.

But once the bottom seam was dry I inserted a knife blade and pushed the spreader bar loose. The fuselage gap then closed up. 

Once this side dries, I'll see if I have to do the same on the other side. 

I closed up the front fuselage halves as well. This was straightforward without any issues. 

[smitty44]

The Academy Bug is a great kit, but you do have to out think some of the steps, just as you have done there.

[Kaireckstadt]

These resin-intakes are a great addition and the view through them to the 1st compressor stage is awesome. Will buy these for mine too (if they are available).

I really like your approach how to solve the problems. Will keep your postings in mind when I build mine.

Curious to see the next update! 

[Martinnfb]

Few pictures of operational Hornets to get the essence of the airframe

[Martinnfb]

higher resolution 

check out the edge of the flap, nicely snugged around that sparrow.

[smitty44]

What the heck is the deal with the guy on the bike?

[Martinnfb]

he's looking for critical mass

[GusMac]

8 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

higher resolution 

check out the edge of the flap, nicely snugged around that sparrow.

Great picture Martin. Was never aware of that little detail before.

[smitty44]

This is the best tool for a Hornet build. These books from Jake Melampy are amazing!

https://www.reidairpublishing.com/books/the-modern-hornet-guide-the-boeing-fa-18abcd-exposed

[mark31]

nice going on the hornet.

 

Mark

[DocRob]

Great work on the intakes and of course the absolutely gorgeous looking pit. It's a good idea to strengthen the joins on such a big bird, to have a better control of the gaps and a sturdier plane in all. You may start to raise a tiny bit of interest in me into a plane, I never had any love for, shape ways. Keep on with your good work Carl.

Cheers Rob 

[BlrwestSiR]

2 hours ago, smitty44 said:

This is the best tool for a Hornet build. These books from Jake Melampy are amazing!

https://www.reidairpublishing.com/books/the-modern-hornet-guide-the-boeing-fa-18abcd-exposed

Yup, it's sitting on my bench. Well, on the floor next to my bench. Definitely a must. 

[BlrwestSiR]

1 hour ago, mark31 said:

nice going on the hornet.

 

Mark

Thanks Mark!

1 hour ago, DocRob said:

Great work on the intakes and of course the absolutely gorgeous looking pit. It's a good idea to strengthen the joins on such a big bird, to have a better control of the gaps and a sturdier plane in all. You may start to raise a tiny bit of interest in me into a plane, I never had any love for, shape ways. Keep on with your good work Carl.

Cheers Rob 

Thanks Rob! I've been more of an F-16 fan myself and my favourite oil burner is still the Tomcat but the RCAF did so many unique schemes that they've slowly won me over with the Hornet. 

[Peterpools]

Carl

Nice work on working out a plan to deal with the fit issues and then carried it out perfectly.

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[BlrwestSiR]

Thanks gents! 

Got the second vertical side of the intakes glued in place.

I still had to do some sanding but it wasn't too bad. There's a bit of CA for filler too around the intake join but again, not much

Now onto a bit of re-scribing the odd panel line or two.

Carl

 

[smitty44]

Moving right along! Man do I love seemless intakes. Nice work on the sides.

[harv]

Handling it well Carl !!.....harv 

[GusMac]

Looking good Carl. As Smitty says you can't beat good seamless intakes.

[Kaireckstadt]

Looks great Carl!

Intakes fully integrated and well done rescribing job: basis for a stunning model in the end! 

[Peterpools]

Carl

Nice work on the splitter plates and the intakes - some mighty nice work

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[GazzaS]

Like everyone else I love the intake.  But the rest looks great, too.

[DocRob]

The intakes are always a focal point of a jet, the great work you did will pay off in the end Carl.

Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

The CF-18 is back on the bench. I finished off engraving the panels lines that were sanded off. I'll double check them when I get to primer.

I took a look at the resin replacement vertical tails that I have. They're nice but one was a hit warped and has a bit of mould slip.

The big difference between it and the kit ones are the omission of the centre radar fairing.

I used a thin chisel to shave it off.

Then, once it was flush I had to scrape away the base plate of the antenna.

One more to go. 

[Kaireckstadt]

Awesome work on removing the first one. Nothing to be seen afterwards.