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1/48 Hasegawa CF-18 Hornet |
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2003 Tiger Meet Demo Bird |
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by Dave Cornett |
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To complete the CF-18 “2003 Tiger Meet Demo Hornet”, I used the Hasegawa F/A-18 Kit, Flight Decs CF-18 2003 Tiger Meet Demo Decals (#4803), Verlinden Ejection Seat and various photoetch pieces from the F-18 kit and Eduards F-18 set. To obtain the closes possible color match, I used Model Masters International Orange(#12197), Go Mango(#2770) and Guard Red (#2718)
As I started working on the kit, I prepainted the engine exhaust/nozzles with Alclads black base and let them dry for about a week; at which time I painted them with Alclads Jet Exhaust. I then cut the engine covers and intake covers from lead foil, completed the cockpit and landing gear. As the kit came together, I applied the 3 shades of orange and then mixed the International Orange/Go Mango and Go Mango/Guard Red to use as a transition between the shades. Once I got the orange shades applied, I masked off the black area on the fuselage and sprayed it because the decals required some painting on the upper surfaces.
Once the painting was completed, I applied a coat of future floor wax and began setting the decals with Super SOL decal solution. To apply the decals properly, it took approximately a week. Once the kit was completed as far as painting, I attached the flaps/leading edges along with the landing gear doors and made my touch ups as need. As I neared the end, I dirty the bottom and sides with a black chalk to give it a weathered look. To finish the kit, I coated it with floor wax on the upper surface to give it a glossy appearance while a dull coat was applied to the gray areas.
I then covered the pitot tubes with covers made from lead foil and attached remove before flight flags. One other note of special interest is that the Hasegawa F-18 kit has a molded centerline in the canopy and this has to be sanded down, buffed out and polished. If you’re interested in building the various versions of the CF-18, the decals designed by Flight Decs and Leading Edge are excellent and when applied with warm water and decal set, they mold perfectly to the surface. Dave
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Photos and text © by Dave Cornett
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