Subject: Re: 1/48 Italeri F/A-18F Super Hornet
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "mario.serelle" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 11:38:52 -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: mario.serelle 
  To: submissions 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 5:25 AM
  Subject: 1/48 Italeri F/A-18F Super Hornet

  1/48 Italeri F/A-18F Super Hornet

  by Mario Serelle

  PIC 01.jpg

  This is my latest build, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-103 Jolly Rogers built from the Italeri 1/48 scale EA-18G Growler kit. Being a regular 1/72 builder, this is only the second 1/48 kit I've completed and working on these bigger scales is an interesting challenge to me. Bigger scale, bigger problems!  ;-)

  PIC 04.jpg

  It wasn't definitely an easy build. This kit suffers from many fitting problems especially around the intakes and rear fuselage. The poor interior was improved with a pair of resin ejection seats (sorry, I forget the manufacturer) and the IFF "pizza box" antenna was made from scratch to better depict the operational birds from Jolly Rogers. The gun nozzle had to be drilled because Italeri closed it for the EA-18G version. 

  PIC 06.jpg and 12.jpg (thumbnails)

  The model was painted with Gunze (camouflage) and Tamiya (small bits and details) paints and the decals came from Yellowhammer #YHD48033 Superbugs CAGs and Skippers Part 1 sheet. Italeri decal sheet supplied the small stencils. The yellow trims on the fins were painted because the decals supplied just didn't conformed well over the antennas fairings there located.  

  PIC 10.jpg

  Despite all known inaccuracies and fitting problems this kit presents, it was a fun build and the model turned out as a nice representation of the Jolly Rogers' Super Hornet. The hi-viz markings are just eye-catching and I really liked the final result. 

  Hope you like it as well.

  Mario Serelle

  PIC 02.jpg, 03.jpg, 07.jpg and 09.jpg (thumbnails)