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Tony Prince
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Hasegawa’s F/A 18A Hornet – 77 Sqn. RAAF (1/48 scale)

April 5, 2015 · in Aviation · · 19 · 2.8K

The is wearing a special commemorative set of markings for 77 Sqn when based near Darwin in late 1942 where the C.O, Flt Lt R.C.Cresswell recorded the squadron's first victory. The nose marking is a set of four flags; , Australian, British & U.S. which was originally painted on his P-40E Kittyhawk. The kit was kindly given to me by a good IPMS mate but took a long while to reach the top of the "To Do" pile. I've tried to do it justice, but it did have its moments. Sometimes I think that kit designers never build their own products!

Nevertheless as completion neared (today!) I found myself liking it more & more. I've chosen to build the Hornet in clean condition as many of the RAAF reference pictures I consulted showed a minimum of underwing stores (and don't give you any, anyway!) so I nicked a couple of Sidewinders from a Kinetic F-16. So; she's finished. I hope you like it.

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


19 responses

  1. Very nicely finished and photographed, Tony...a nice clean build.

  2. Well done Tony. She looks amazing!

    • Thanks Morne. I must confess to considering either Swiss or Finnish markings, just to be a little different, but since ANZAC Day is coming up the RAAF won out.

  3. Lovely build Tony.
    Done a fine job sir.

  4. What was the cockpit like, and are the cans original? Clean looking jet.

    • Hi Rob, Apart from the seat belts (masking tape) & decals, she's out of the box. The cans are too: painted with Gunze burnt iron & stainless steel. For about 30 years I've used a metallic paste product called 'MINI-METALLICS RUB-ONS which I apply with a small flat brush. These colours come in a set of seven shades, including pewter, gold gunmetal & brass. They're easy to apply & combine to produce different effects. I'm still using my original set!. I find this is a good deal more controllable than Alclad for small areas. Sorry there are no shots of the cockpit: I can't seem to do it justice with my pictures, but it's all there!

  5. Nice job Tony, The colours look just right and it definately looks the business.

    • Thanks David.
      Went to a lot of trouble to get the colours to my satisfaction. Used Model Master Acrylics through the airbrush, but touch ups with a brush were easy to do & left no brush marks at all.

  6. Nice looking Hornet! And I'll try some of those rub-on metallics - I build in 1/72 (and don't use an airbrush) so always looking to find a way to get realistic looking metal, especially on smaller areas.

  7. Tony,
    Beautifully done. You have captured the good looks of the Hornet and I really like the RAAF scheme. I have have this kit sitting around that I had started about five years ago. I think you have given me the inspiration to finish it.

    • Thanks Frank. Yes indeed, have a go. Fit is good & the only pestiferous aspect of the build was that the undercarriage doors have no visible means of attachment apart from a butt joint. I made tabs & that worked fine.

  8. Greetings :
    Nice clean build.

  9. Beautiful F-18! Thanks!

  10. Nice Hornet Tony, very cool weathering.

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