Hasegawa F/A-18C Hornet - WIP
Comments
10 April 2018, 03:46
Michael PhillipsHere we go again!
This project is inspired by Michael Hickey's recent fabulous Aussie Legacy Hornet, so now I am doing my own with a little American flair! Now, the scheme I will do is not as impressive or as challenging as his, but I will be doing the 2006 CAG bird with the diamond on the spine. Always thought that was such a cool scheme. I considered the gray camo bird, but decided to go with the diamond spine.
Haven't started this one yet, just got all the AM together and fondled the sprues a little LOL.
Stay tuned!
10 April 2018, 03:51
Michael PhillipsWelcome back everyone! That is an awesome Hornet Michael, very inspirational!
Well, after taking about a month or so off due to multiple reasons, including spring cleaning and a hectic work schedule, I am back at it! Got most of the main assembly completed, and will prime soon. Stay tuned!
25 May 2018, 02:55
Michael PhillipsBack again after ANOTHER hiatus. This time self-inflicted, lost the mojo there for a bit. The new woman in my life is now my fiancee, so been spending much free time with her, obviously. 🙂
Anyway, I got the pre-shading done and basecoats done! I have even started the decal application, but no pics of that as I still have a lot to do.
Anyway, it's good to be back. I hope everyone has been well!
28 June 2018, 03:59
Soeren R.Ahh he is back! 🙂
Fantastic work so far
and of course congratulations to your engagement😉
28 June 2018, 05:24
Martin OostromMust be a heck of a lady to keep you away from the bench! Congratulations Mike. 👍
28 June 2018, 06:41
Patrick HagelsteinCongrats! Enjoy a happy life with lots of love! ..... for modeling! 🙂
28 June 2018, 19:37
Michael PhillipsThanks Sören, Spanjaard, Martin, Murad, Timothy, Markus, Maciej, Bryn, Patrick, and James! I really appreciate the kind words and congrats from everyone!!!
Well, got the decals on tonight, and man these markings are really cool looking!!! Excited to see how it will all come together with a wash and some weathering!
Also, threw a pic in the album of me and the lady. It's always kinda cool to put a face with a name and occasion! 🙂
29 June 2018, 05:00
Michael HickeyThat's one hot lady and your Bug looks absolutely awesome, so glad I've got these decals too. Some weathering will really bring her to life, the plane not your other half.😢
29 June 2018, 07:14
Murad ÖZERi am not a hornit guy not at all but that cag bird is looking the part with the decals now on!
29 June 2018, 14:36
Maciej Bellos@ Martin, no no no, he should't! He has nice models to build for us to see!
29 June 2018, 16:12
Michael PhillipsThanks Martin, Patrick, Michael, Murad, Maciej, and Konrad!
Don't worry guys, I will still be at the bench as much as I can. My output may slow to a more normal level, but nonetheless I hope to still output 8-10 models a year. We shall see!
So here is the scoop... It is now very early Saturday here, and I have a IPMS club meeting in a bit more than 24 hours on Sunday which includes our quarterly contest. As you can see, I have a long way to go still, but I am actually going to see if I can finish this up in time. I have a completely free day tomorrow and it is going to be like 96 degrees F tomorrow, so it will be a good day to just sit in the AC and build!
Left to do:
Paint exhaust and other metalwork
Wash and light weathering
Assemble paint, wash, and install landing gear
Paint seat and install
assemble, paint, and decal munitions (4x GBU-12 and 2x AIM-9X)
paint and add all the little doodads (clear parts, antennae, probes, etc)
So what do you all put my odds at of finishing? I think it I give myself about a 25% chance of being able to pull this off!
Stay tuned...
30 June 2018, 06:04
Martin OostromIf someone can pull it off, it's you. But even at 125% MP build speed it will be a tight race. So stop looking at this site and get going 👍
30 June 2018, 06:59
Michael HickeyMichael, I don't want to be a downer but consider continuing to keep the high standard that you have been keeping rather than trying to finish her for a comp. Why rush and maybe not do your best to get her finished, there will always be another comp. Just my 2 cents.😉
30 June 2018, 07:13
Michael PhillipsWell, ultimately (and perhaps for the best), I was not able to complete in time. In fact, I really did not get much done at all as I had lots of interruption and was not able to get any real sustained time at the bench as was hoped. But, alas, I still hope to finish within the week.
2 July 2018, 01:27
Michael PhillipsLOL you guys crack me up!
Well, got the wash on, and well, I learned a lesson. Since I was trying to hurry up the completion of this build, I skipped a step that I have never skipped before. I did not put down a gloss coat before applying the decals or after. While the decals still performed flawlessly, the wash was a MAJOR pain in the arse to remove since the finish was not as glossy as I usually deal with. Even using moistened cotton buds (with turpenoid), I could not get all of it off. So the end result the wash has weathered the paint a bit more than I wanted. I still think it looks ok, but I wanted this one to be a bit cleaner than it is. I definitely will not do any further post shade weathering now.
6 July 2018, 05:02
Michael HickeyWhat's the saying "measure twice cut once", "slow and steady always wins the race". Once I finish the painting of the model that I'm working on I write a list of things that have to be done and tick them off as I go. That way you know exactly what has to be done and where you stand.
6 July 2018, 05:49
Spanjaardit still looks pretty awesome to me. but yes, i understand your pain (been there, done that....)
6 July 2018, 06:33
Tim HeimerFor what it's worth...according to a Navy airplane mechanic these planes are never perfect even from the factory.
6 July 2018, 11:39
Michael PhillipsThanks Martin, Michael, James, Spanjaard, Pierre-Christian, Timothy, Bryn, and Konrad!
I certainly learned two lessons.
1. Don't ever rush things!
2. Don't ever skip the gloss (future) coat stage. While I am relatively happy with the final outcome of the wash, I am not happy with the effort it took to get to this point. LOL
Anyway, I might be able to wrap this up this weekend or at least get damn close. But no rushing though! LOL
6 July 2018, 20:55
Michael PhillipsThanks Burkhard and Ronan! Timothy, I know exactly what you mean... 🙂
Well, got a lot done over the weekend, and for the most part the aircraft itself is done. Just gotta put a wash on the landing gear, gear doors, and weapons, and then attach them to the model. And finally I will add all the little probes to the fuselage and she will be done!
9 July 2018, 03:37
