1/32 Academy F/A-18A

VFC-12 Fighting Omars

by David “drhornii” Horn 

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  30th Anniversary of the first flight of the F/A-18 Hornet 

 

I built this kit for the McAir Legacy group build. The Academy kit is a fun but challenging build. I decided to build the VFC-12 aircraft after seeing this squadrons aircraft at my local airport which happens to be a regular visitor.

To make this aircraft, the Academy kit needed to be backdated to an “A” version. To address this, I used the “Cutting Edge” cockpit set for the “A” model which I picked up many years ago. Next on the backdate list is to remove one of the bumps (antenna) on each tail which is quite simple, just trim that section smooth. After doing my research, there are a few antennas that are not on this version, mostly around the nose. There are two additional antennas on the “A” below the intakes that need to be added, luckily they are supplied in the Academy kit.

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Aftermarket items in addition to the Cutting Edge cockpit include: Seamless sucker intakes and Aires burner cans (used Black box nozzles). Previous reviews on these products are plenty so I will not go into detail. I was really surprised on how many parts Academy uses in the landing gear details, they are a kit to themselves, almost 15 parts in each main gear leg. The wing fold detail took some pre assembly and review before tackling this area, measure twice & cut once. I did go in and fill some of the gaps that appeared on the wing fold assembly.

Xtracrylix paints were used to finish out the Hornet. Two Bobs decals “shades of Gray” gave the appropriate markings for this aircraft.

David

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Photos and text © by David Horn “drhornii”