SPA Modeler

F/A-18A+ Hornet of VMFA-312 Checkerboards, May 2007, Operation Enduring Freedom

Completed a couple of weeks ago. 1:72 scale Academy kit with Wolfpack-Design ejection seat and MAW Decals ("Alphabet Soup"). Testors Model Master acrylics, Vallejo acrylics, AMMO Panel Line Wash, Mig and Vallejo pigments.

I almost went crazy with the weathering but they didn't get as dirty in 2007 as they did in 2003-04.

Overall, the kit is a good build. There are some issues to overcome, but patience and test fitting help. In fact, my next Hornet build will be another one of these but as a C model. I'll add Wolfpack-Designs dropped flaps/folded wings set.

Beautiful !

- Kari

That's a really stunning build - thanks for sharing it with us!

JimD wrote:Wow...that's really nice. I hope to see more of your build soon too.

Thanks. This one took 2.5 months to finish due to my poor planning when it comes to painting. Filling ejector pin marks, filling seams, sanding, scribing--none of that bothered me and didn't extend the build. It was the painting and me studying the thousands of high resolution photos of Hornets available at Navy.mil and Marines.mil as well as all the information in Melampy's Modern Hornet Guide.

The next Legacy Hornet will be a C from VMFA-251 Thunderbolts from OIF in 2003. I'm adding dropped flaps and lots of greasy mess all over the place. There are other Marine Corps and Navy builds in the queue, to include the FineMolds F-14D, Academy F-4J, Hasegawa F-18E, and Hasegawa MV-22 Osprey. The F-14D and F-4J will be done before Christmas.

In the meantime, this shelf queen is in progress: the 1:32 P-51D from Tamiya, to be finished in Moore's Stinger VII. I received this kit for Christmas from my wife in 2012 and just kept making excuses about building it. Once it's done, I'll have a large hole in the stash.

frankc wrote:[
In the meantime, this shelf queen is in progress: the 1:32 P-51D from Tamiya, to be finished in Moore's Stinger VII. I received this kit for Christmas from my wife in 2012 and just kept making excuses about building it. Once it's done, I'll have a large hole in the stash.

Wouh!
I hope we will have the change to see some more pics of this queen along the build!

- Kari

Mmmmm... Rhinos!!!

nice work frank !

gino

very nice!

Awesome work! I love Hornets!!