Subject: Re: Fujim F-18 Submission
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Gilbert Gregg" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 10:12:11 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gilbert Gregg 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 7:30 AM
  Subject: Fujim F-18 Submission

  VFA-86 F-18C Hornet (Fujimi 1/72)

  by Gil Gregg
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  The starting point for this kit was the Fujimi F-18 with the VFA-81 Sunliners Gulf War box art.  As has been observed by others, this kit is over engineered and "fiddly."  However, it has nice recessed panel lines and lots of detailed, finely molded parts.  With patience, it builds up nicely and I would pick it over the Hasegawa kit if given the choice, even though the Fujimi kit's forward fuselage area is supposedly a bit too thick.

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpghere.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Basic construction is straightforward, but there are a couple of problem areas.  There are some weird half round mold depressions on the outside of the intakes that have to be filled in.  They were not sink marks, so I am at a loss to explain them. This kit features full intake trunking and this is supposed to be a selling point of the kit.  However, once placed in the fuselage, the forward edge of the trunks do not meet up with the trailing edge of the intake lips, leaving a sizable gap.  The only other construction problem I encountered was the nose wheels.  The interior wheel hub holes were too shallow to receive the axle.  I had to snip off most of the axle ends to make the wheels fit.  If I had it to do over, I would drill the nose wheel holes deeper instead.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  I decided to go all out and drop the flaps, slats and ailerons, and fold the wings. Not an easy thing to do and there are no after market wing modification products available for this kit.  So I did it the hard way...sawing and trimming.  A substantial amount of wing and flap edge rebuilding was required to make everything fit back together.  This kit also is the only one in this scale that comes with a radar.  Unfortunately, there is no hinge assembly provided to open the radome, so I had to scratch build one.

  I decided to use a CAM decal sheet which featured a camouflaged Hornet from VFA-86.  I freehanded painted the camo with an old Paasche V.  I built a custom base with some wood and card stock from Michael's.  The flight deck and insignia were printed out from my computer.

  This model won 1/72 jet and was nominated for Best of Show at Warner Robbins in October of 2009.  It took third at the R-11 regional in Cocoa Beach in April 2010.  Thanks for looking!

  Gil (aka DutyCat)

  Photos and text © by Gil Gregg