SPA Modeler

I built this 1/32 Academy F-18D for my bro, the first time he was in Iraq...03-04. This was way back before I took a break for a few years...before I was on, or even knew about, forums. No pics from back then. During the build, I kept notes on dates/times, and what was done during each session. After my bro got back, we compared his logbook with the notes I had made. The only thing with any significance...the night I was whippin up the GBU-12s (had to bash parts from the GBU-10 with a mk-82 body)...he had dropped his pair and got conformation, that with those two bombs, he had taken out 50+ bad guys.

He was here over the holiday weekend and brought the model along for some repairs...it's been a long time since I've seen it!
Anyway...as I received it...



There is no aftermarket, just some scratched details...only thing really noticeable are the harmesses (tape).





These pics are from just after his 2nd time in Iraq (VMFA(AW)-225)...1st time was with VMFA(AW)-332, as this model depicts. The kit had markings for 332, but at a different time, I was able to use some, but had to mask and paint the tail numbers.





The base did have a glass cover...bro said that didn't make it beyond the first move.







Loaded with what they carried 90% of the time...winders, jdam, bgu-12's, tanks and lightning pod

Man you've been at it for a while in this fashion Jeremy. I'm sure your brother is happy with that build, I know I'd be.

I truly dread when the time comes to move all my stuff. I'm going to take up half of a truck beds worth of space with all the padded boxing in order to avoid disasters like what happened on the first move with that 18

The F/A-18 Hornet has always been my favorite jet of all time. I enjoyed reading your model being dedicated to your brother.

Beautiful work, and nice job on the repairs. That is awesome that your brother is one of the guys who gets paid to do such work. Great stuff all around on this one!!!!

Silly me, I also love the F-14 Tomcats too!!

your repair looks like nothing was broken. Great work, like the color

Thanks guys!

It felt good the "finish" something...as it's been over a month and a half since the I actually finished anything

Yes it does! Good for you!

Great tribute and gift for your brother to honor his service in our military. It must be cool working on a model when you are so close to the pilot himself. A true labor of love and the results are superb!

Thank you kindly!

It is very different, mentally...working on a project that has a personal connection. Even more-so when he was "over there" at the time I was building it. During the project, I'd email him for some pics, usually got them within a day or two. I think the coolest part of it was comparing my notes to his logbook...a good portion of my sessions where at the same time he was on missions, even taking the time difference into account.
While trying to decide which particular airframe to model, I asked him about his most memorable mission, and which plane it was in. He had two...I won't go into detail, but they were aircraft "01" and "10"....you can see in the pics, if you're really paying attention!!!....one side is "01" and the other is "10".