Academy 1/72 F-18A "Blue Angels"

[1275GT]

Hi all. I took a couple of weeks off from plastic bashing, and thought I'd return with something fairly straightforward ( hopefully !! ).

So, here it is. I really like the detailing on this, and could easily be built OOB and satisfy most people. I'm going to try an open lid, so will be attempting to add a few bits and pieces here and there.

For the Blue Angels version, there are a few lumps and bumps that need to be removed/filled, so that's the first on the order of play. followed by getting the seat together.

So, we'll see how this pans out.....

Cheers, Neil

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[colin m]

Looks nice. One day I'm going to try something not camouflage or grey !

 

[1275GT]

Hi all. Sorry for the slow progress, but here's a small update. Lumps, bumps, etc sorted and started work on the main assembly and on the front nose section, which could have done with another couple of pairs of hands to help with !! Fit isn't brilliant, but it should clean up ok. The seat is coming along nicely, just a couple more details to do and it'll be onto the cockpit proper.

Cheers, Neil

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[Dave W]

Looks to be quite a well detailed kit for 1/72.Should build into a nice model.

 

[flyjoe180]

Good start Neil, should be another stunner in your aerobatic collection.

 

[1275GT]

Looks nice. One day I'm going to try something not camouflage or grey

Put the weathering pigments down and walk towards the light, Colin.......

The detail is very good for the scale and price, Dave. The rivet counters might not be overly happy, but it's pretty good from where I'm standing. The only real downside I'm noticing is that the fit is a bit niggly in places, but it's nothing that can't be overcome fairly easily.

Hope so, Joe......bought a red one the other day, if you know what I mean......

Cheers, Neil

 

[flyjoe180]

A Hawk?

 

[1275GT]

Could be, Detective Joe......

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

This is a really nice kit, built one last year and have the Thunderbirds variant to go along side of it one day. What paints are you going to use for the colours?

Adrian

 

[1275GT]

Finally a bit more progress. Wheel bays as detailed as they're going to be, and cockpit finished.

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This is a really nice kit, built one last year and have the Thunderbirds variant to go along side of it one day. What paints are you going to use for the colours?

After much research ( actually spending 1/2hr in Halfords looking like a bit of a dork...) I'm using a rattle can labelled Ford Royal Blue. Looks pretty close, so fingers crossed. For the yellow I have Humbrol 154/ Revell 36310.

Cheers, Neil

 

[Willi262]

Many years ago I sat in the cockpit of an F18 on display at my local airshow (in Ottawa Ontario at the time). Fit like a glove. With both feet on the pedals, left hand on throttle and right hand on stick, (and all other controls within easy reach), I felt like the plane was built with me in mind.

One of the guys in front of me asked the Lt.Col. manning the display, "why is the seat so tall"?

So I said, that's a safety feature. In case the canopy fails to jettison and you need to eject, which would you rather go through the glass first, the top of your seat? Or the top of your head?

 

[papa 695]

Just seen this one Neil and some great work so far

 

[1275GT]

Couple of bits done. Sorted out some details on the missile rails. Decided the easiest way of painting the inners of the air intakes neatly was to chop the backs out and replace with painted plasicard. While on the subject, if anyone knows of an easy way to mask a line 2-3mm inside the lip of the intake, I'd really love to hear it !!

Cheers, Neil

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[flyjoe180]

Nice work Neil. For my Harrier I used foam cut out to the shape of the intakes and use tape around the front bit to seal it. Have to ensure you can remove it later though!

 

[Lee W]

Great build so far, well done Neil

Lee

 

[Ziper_it]

Good job so far.

Regarding the intakes can you try to carve them with a cutter?

Francesco

 

[1275GT]

It's amazing what a pair of wings and fins can do for a model !!! I can confirm that jet noises and aerobatic moves have been performed, so modelling can continue

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Thanks for the ideas for the intakes guys, I'll see what I can come up with. Though I have found pics of the covers used, so that may be a option if they come out pants.....

Cheers, Neil

 

[1275GT]

Man, it's been tough to get any time on this !! Things have been moving rather slowly, but at least they've been moving !! So sorry for the amount of pics all in one go, but they're fairley self explanatory. For the intakes, I went with using blue-tac. It was a bit time consuming, but fingers crossed, it'll work out ok. I also used it for the wheel bays, so I hope it does !!!

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Cheers, Neil

 

[Dave W]

Looking good Neil.

 

[Ziper_it]

Hi Neil, looking very good so far.

Excellent build.

Francesco