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Roger's Large Scale RAAF/RAN Research thread


Artful69

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On 8/14/2019 at 6:32 AM, smitty44 said:

oops,started out thinking Canadian. Academy Hornet is an amazing kit. Hard to come by nowadays, but some have been on ebay selling for a moderate price. You can spruce it up with the usual goodies like cockpit, burner cans, intakes, etc , but is great oob. If you can't find the Academy "A" Hornet for a good price there is an Avionix "A" conversion out there for the "C" Hornet kits. Difference is mostly cockpit, vertical stabilizers, and vents.

 

 

On 8/14/2019 at 7:40 AM, smitty44 said:

ACADEMY12107.jpg

 

On 8/17/2019 at 10:42 AM, Clunkmeister said:

Well Rog,  I’m not sure if you’re doing a single or two seater, but, just in case it’s a two seater B, I highly recommend against the True Details B cockpit set.I bought one and honestly, it looks like my two year old granddaughter made an impression in plasicene. 

 

On 8/15/2019 at 7:55 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, I've got the Kinetic kit with the correct tails and resin intakes and burner cans for sale at the moment. 

Big question would be shipping to Australia from Canada. If you want to PM me I can try and get an estimate for you.

Carl

 

Ok guys ...

An update ...

A special re-release of the Academy kit you posted there Smitty, has hit the shelves of one of the local Hobby suppliers - With RAAF Decals in box (I just hope they're 'normal' ones and not some flashy show plane!) ... I've ordered 2 - so I can do a "B" Conversion at some point ...

Along with those I grabbed an F-35 (Italeri) in a boxing with RAAF markings. and a (Trumpeter) Boeing F/A 18.G - a Growler

As you all have no doubt noticed ... I have the Trumpy F also ...

So apart from various Awesome AM replacements (intakes, blah, blah, blah) ... to my knowledge ... what I'm needing is:

* A 'B' conversion for the Academy kit ... (hopefully the additional canopy bits are in there!!!) ... though I'll hold off pulling the trigger until the box arrives ... They are marked only as A's ... but maybe some 'B' stuff is on a same sprue arrangement? ... Or maybe you know someone that had the Kinetic Kit and built an A or C and has the leftovers?

* Decals for a 'B' ... I have one set on the e-Bay watch list so this might be taken care of.

* Decals for the F and the G ... No-one I've seen has these in stock

If any of you lot know where I can get the gear?? - most places I've checked have been out of stock for ages!!

Rog :)

 

 

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Rog, sounds like you're getting quite the collection of Hornet stuff.

For the B canopy, unfortunately it's a separate part not attached to a common sprue so most likely won't be in the box.  AFV Club used to sell them separately with a sort of prismatic finish but I can't find one at the moment. 

As for the landing gear, I've heard the stock gear holds up as long as the metal inner support rod is glued in securely enough. That's the route I'll be taking with mine so hopefully that's accurate.

Carl

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9 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, sounds like you're getting quite the collection of Hornet stuff.

For the B canopy, unfortunately it's a separate part not attached to a common sprue so most likely won't be in the box.  AFV Club used to sell them separately with a sort of prismatic finish but I can't find one at the moment. 

As for the landing gear, I've heard the stock gear holds up as long as the metal inner support rod is glued in securely enough. That's the route I'll be taking with mine so hopefully that's accurate.

Carl

Carl ...

So ... it looks like option 2 ... find someone who got the kit with the lot - but built the single seater (or at least not the B)!

Any help with locating this victim volunteer ... or any of the other items listed above would be great ...

Rog :)

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  • 2 weeks later...
6 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

I checked in and it's seems they didn't get enough interest so they're not moving forward with the 1/32 release which is a shame. Would have been nice to have done a hi-vis Tiger Meet plane to go with my CF-18.

Carl ...

I actually emailed them about their B, F and G stuff ... and got a fairly long email back just a few days ago about how their 1/32 stuff didn't sell that well and if interest didn't pick up in their Tiger stuff, that wouldn't come to pass either ... so it looks like I'm stuffed on F & G's decals - unless someone knows where I can get some.

There's a few for a B around on eBay ... but unless I can find a canopy - I'm stuffed there as well.

Rog :)

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Rog, I took a closer look at the 1/48 sheet and think it may be possible to have it upscaled into a mask set. I did something similar for my CF-18 markings. I'd have to get the 1/48 sheet first and get it scanned and then converted. 

The nice thing about doing it  that way (IMO) is that it would probably be easier to paint the large orange sections rather than applying such a large decal. 

Let me know if you're interested in that approach and maybe we can get a couple sets done at the same time. 

Carl

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On 10/18/2019 at 6:42 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, I took a closer look at the 1/48 sheet and think it may be possible to have it upscaled into a mask set. I did something similar for my CF-18 markings. I'd have to get the 1/48 sheet first and get it scanned and then converted. 

The nice thing about doing it  that way (IMO) is that it would probably be easier to paint the large orange sections rather than applying such a large decal. 

Let me know if you're interested in that approach and maybe we can get a couple sets done at the same time. 

Carl

THAT sounds interesting Carl ... How much would that cost do you think?

Do you think something similar could be done with the F and G to get RAAF markings there??

Also ... it's been suggested that maybe Academy might be able to issue a B canopy set ... what's your thoughts on this?

Rog :)

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22 minutes ago, Artful69 said:

THAT sounds interesting Carl ... How much would that cost do you think?

Do you think something similar could be done with the F and G to get RAAF markings there??

Also ... it's been suggested that maybe Academy might be able to issue a B canopy set ... what's your thoughts on this?

Rog :)

It was around $70 for the conversion work and one set of masks plus the price of the decal sheet. Figure $35 for a second set of masks. 

Certainly it would be possible to upscale other markings too.

For the B canopy, completely crazy idea but how close is the Trumpeter F/G canopy to the B? Maybe when your F kit arrives see how close it is? Might be easier to get one of those. 

Carl

 

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On 10/19/2019 at 7:43 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

It was around $70 for the conversion work and one set of masks plus the price of the decal sheet. Figure $35 for a second set of masks. 

Certainly it would be possible to upscale other markings too.

For the B canopy, completely crazy idea but how close is the Trumpeter F/G canopy to the B? Maybe when your F kit arrives see how close it is? Might be easier to get one of those. 

Carl

 

Carl haven't forgotten about this ... I was looking at the Ronin decals ... maybe I can get some 1/48 F & G decals to scale up?

Rog :)

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  • 2 months later...
On 10/18/2019 at 6:42 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, I took a closer look at the 1/48 sheet and think it may be possible to have it upscaled into a mask set. I did something similar for my CF-18 markings. I'd have to get the 1/48 sheet first and get it scanned and then converted. 

The nice thing about doing it  that way (IMO) is that it would probably be easier to paint the large orange sections rather than applying such a large decal. 

Let me know if you're interested in that approach and maybe we can get a couple sets done at the same time. 

Carl

 

On 10/19/2019 at 7:43 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

It was around $70 for the conversion work and one set of masks plus the price of the decal sheet. Figure $35 for a second set of masks. 

Certainly it would be possible to upscale other markings too.

For the B canopy, completely crazy idea but how close is the Trumpeter F/G canopy to the B? Maybe when your F kit arrives see how close it is? Might be easier to get one of those. 

Carl

 

Carl ... 

I cannot find any decals (RAAF) for the F or G Super Hornets ... Ronin used to make some but ceased because they weren't getting enough sales ... I can probably get 1/48 if you can do the upscaling thing ... I would need a set for the F and the G ... How would you like to proceed?

I can get some A-4 RAN decals easy enough and some for a F/A-18.B - I shouldn't have balked on buying that B kit from you!! ... If I can get a D kit and the B resin cockpit - I can steal the D canopy throw in my A ... and maybe flog it off as a buildable C (san's decals) ...

Rog :)

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  • Artful69 changed the title to LS Australian Service RAAF F/A 18.B, F and G

Rog, 

I can't find a two seat Legacy Hornet kit either. Of course this is after I sold the one I had. :wallbash:

So I'm probably out for getting masks made at this moment. 

DN Models made the custom masks for my CF-18 (one of this year's projects hopefully) and Slovak MiG-29UB. My original plan was to contact them for the RAAF ones so maybe drop them a line and see if they can help you out?

Carl

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10 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, 

I can't find a two seat Legacy Hornet kit either. Of course this is after I sold the one I had. :wallbash:

So I'm probably out for getting masks made at this moment. 

DN Models made the custom masks for my CF-18 (one of this year's projects hopefully) and Slovak MiG-29UB. My original plan was to contact them for the RAAF ones so maybe drop them a line and see if they can help you out?

Carl

Carl ...

Ok ... so what is a "Legacy Hornet" ??? ... never heard of them so are they a special type?

If you're worried about making a 'B' ... you can do what I was advised ... grab a D and use that U-Beaut conversion set with the early vertical stabs??

I'll message DN Models and see what sort of response I get.

Rog :)

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21 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, a Legacy Hornet is any of the earlier Hornets ie the A through D models. It's a description sometimes used to help differentiate them from the Super Hornets.  

 

Carl

Ahh ... ok ... well you can still do one if you like with what's available ... and ... I believe Academy do regular repops!

Meanwhile I messaged DN Models and they're willing to assist so thats good :) ...

Who knows?, I might be able to drop the cost with a batch order if I can get anyone interested  ...

Rog :)

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On 8/14/2019 at 6:32 AM, smitty44 said:

oops,started out thinking Canadian. Academy Hornet is an amazing kit. Hard to come by nowadays, but some have been on ebay selling for a moderate price. You can spruce it up with the usual goodies like cockpit, burner cans, intakes, etc , but is great oob. If you can't find the Academy "A" Hornet for a good price there is an Avionix "A" conversion out there for the "C" Hornet kits. Difference is mostly cockpit, vertical stabilizers, and vents.

 

On 8/16/2019 at 6:01 AM, Clunkmeister said:

I'll second on the Kinetic A/B combo kit, Rog.  I'm as much a jet guy as you, as in absolutely not at all, so if you're not sure, grab the Kinetic A/B combo kit. It comes with everything to build either a single A or a two seater B.  It's all Academy plastic so it's the best there is, and you can mix and match to get your specific Aussie prototype.

It's gonna be good to see another early Hornet build. Heck, given the right time of day, I might even join you, as I've been looking for a reason.

 

On 1/7/2020 at 7:43 AM, BlrwestSiR said:

Rog, 

I can't find a two seat Legacy Hornet kit either. Of course this is after I sold the one I had. :wallbash:

So I'm probably out for getting masks made at this moment. 

DN Models made the custom masks for my CF-18 (one of this year's projects hopefully) and Slovak MiG-29UB. My original plan was to contact them for the RAAF ones so maybe drop them a line and see if they can help you out?

Carl

Ok guys ... A bit of an update because So far you've been the main info sources ...

- F/A-18.A Hornet ... Well this one turned out easy  (thanks Smitty!)... after looking around for a couple of weeks on e-Bay, one of the local hobby retailers advised that his supplier was expecting a shipment ... Aussie decals included ... I ordered 2 just in case. Here now!

- F/A-18.B Hornet ... Well ... shot myself in the foot on THIS one!! ... Lucky Model had the C/D Kinetic rebox on sale when I first started looking ... and Bam! I go to get one later once I know what I'm doing - no stock ... typical ... All is not lost though,  says the hobby suppler - because Academy re-pop stuff every couple of years and the B is due ... yeah?? - so's Christmas ... Getting proactive here - I've already got the vertical Stabilisers for a B in one of the A kit's I just bought, right ... I just need a twin 'pit ... so a D will do nicely thanks! ... I'll grab one of those in the next week or so. If the innards in the 'pit are a crap-ton different, theres the wolfpack or Avionix correction ... some RAAF B decals and she'll be right mate!

- A-4.G Skyhawk ... Trumpy's E kit will do nicely as the only differences, so I'm told, are in the innards!! ... Buy some RAAF / RAN decals and away we go!

- F/A-18.F and G ... The Trumpy kits!! Have both now ... Decals ... It was looking bad there for a while ... DN Models (thank you Carl!!) said they'd be up for it if I could show them what I wanted ... I emailed Ronin Grapics and asked for their masters to pass on to DN Models ... of course the answer was NO - they're licensed ... BUT the upshot is that Ronin are doing a reprint now ... and in 3 weeks I can purchase Decals!!! Yippee!

I HAVE QUESTIONS!!

I'm getting some GT Resin intakes (I hope!!) ... any good?

Weapons / ordinance systems / load outs for RAAF kites ... anyone know whether I've got the right gear in box or if I need to shop around for AM?

Looks like we can get cracking on that joint build afterward Ern :)

Rog :)

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Rog, I saw these at Hannants and immediately thought of you:

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ML329015?result-token=LGZ0O

They're for an anniversary scheme but maybe a backup option for you.

I haven't seen the GT Resin intakes for the Hornet (any of them) so hopefully someone else will reply. 

No idea on armaments either. 

Carl

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Awwww ... that really is a sexy scheme Carl ... BUT ... I shall resist ... for now ... maybe!

I'm going to try to keep the markings to simple operational schemes where possible ... Of aircraft that are/were either deployed in action or on active standby. If that means Camo - it will be Camo ... NMF ... Plain ol' grey over grey over more grey with a just a dash of grey to mix it up a bit ... then that's what I'll be going for. Some of the insignia are special ... My A will most likely be the decals supplied in the box it has a Collingwood Football Club magpie on the vertical stabilisers!!

If I DO get a chance to build another A (Depends what AM I get for the incoming D to B conversion?) ... I MAY just take the punt!

Rog :)

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Rog, you’ll have so much research on this when you’re done, that the model’s gonna build itself.

Im doing the same with the specific Canadian two seater that flew missions over Libya, so times are fun these days.  We should be ready to start these sometime around mid decade I think. 

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To build an RAAF twin holer ...

I have a spare A kit - so theoretically the vertical stabilisers are covered ... my question is more cockpit related ... 

Can I utilise the kit parts to make the B cockpit or do I HAVE to shell out for the resin conversion??

Also is there any notable external differences between the B and the D that will be glaringly obvious in '32 scale??

Thanks in advance

Rog :)

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I was going to say I wasn't sure but then remembered I had Jake Melampy's The Modern Hornet Guide in the library.

So according to that, the front cockpit is minimally different. The C/D cockpit has a digital fuel control panel while the A and B have an analog one. This is the bottom left bit on the IP under the left most screen.

For the rear IP panel, there are potentially more differences. All B  and early D IPs are the same except for the same fuel control panel as the front. Later D models have an extra screen in the middle that replaces some switches and small displays. 

The D has several electronic boxes on the turtle deck (the shelf behind the rear seat) that are not present on the B.

Hope that helps. If you can find a copy of Jake's book, it's well worth it. 

Carl

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So there are a couple different factors. First of all the front cockpits are nearly the same on all models. What you would need to address here is whether or not the bird you are depicting is before or after the upgrade they received in 1991 from F/A-18A/B to the A+ and B+ models. The main difference here is the earlier IP's had analog fuel monitors instead of glass ones. This panel is in the lower left hand corner. I imagine the C and D kit have these included. Early F/A-18D models had the same IP in the back as the B as they were all built as trainers originally. Redesigned panels for the D began with Lot 12 163986.

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