1/48 Blue Angels F/A-18A, 1987

[Stikpusher]

This is my Monogram F/A-18A Blue Angels, done as the lead solo aircraft, #5, for the first year of Hornets, 1987. That was the only season that the Blues did not have the fence installed on the LEXs in front of the vertical stabilizers. I built this kit OOB, aside from modifying the stabilator attachment point using some aluminum tubing, to aid in seam clean up back there. Also the kit has a paper "H" to cut out from the instruction sheet to add to the ejection seat as parachute harness risers. I substituted some 1mm Tamiya making tape cut to the proper lengths instead. I used enamel Humbrol Gloss Midnight Blue and Model Master Blue Angels Yellow for the main colors, and a set of Milspec Decals in place of the kit decals.




















Thanks for looking, comments and critiques welcomed

[Stikpusher]

A couple more photos of my Blues Bug...



with my Libya Raider VFA-132 F/A-18A, my fist Monogram Hornet build



and with my Academy F-16A Thunderbird

[LyleW]

She’s a looker!

[keavdog]

Love it! A real beauty.

[Stikpusher]

John and Lyle, thank you! I sure am captivated by the shine…

[Medicman71]

Wow!! I thought we didn't allow porn in here.

Seriously Love it!!! Beautiful build Stik!

[Stikpusher]

Wow!! I thought we didn't allow porn in here.

Seriously Love it!!! Beautiful build Stik!

Only the bluest porn allowed here

Thanks Mike. She’s gotta be the purtiest plane I’ve built yet… so shiny…

[tempestjohnny]

Excellent finish. The gloss on that blue is amazing

[Gary Brantley]

Man, that is a beautiful Hornet, Carlos! Your gloss finish looks perfect! No gloss coat needed for your decals, I'm betting. That model would grace anybody's display cabinet!

[Stikpusher]

Thanks guys!

Gary, you are correct, no gloss coat needed before decals. I just did one on top to seal them in and give the decals a glossy finish as well.