Super Bug
Other than the Harpoon missiles, what you see here is exactly what comes in the (very substantial) Meng box... and IMHO is one of the best 1:48 kits available today. Everything fits perfectly, I don't recall using anything more than a 'smear' of putty in any of the major construction (special mention to the design of the potentially problematic main undercarriage here as it's so precise that I was able to use the locators in the main gear bay as a jig to fully assemble the main units, then 'click' them out once the glue had set and paint/weather them off the kit which was a HUGE bonus). The overall detail is excellent - not perfect, but pretty close - the omission of the nav lights is quite noticeable for instance.
Put it this way, every time during the build phase I was able to sit down with it, it was a hugely enjoyable experience, not once did it give me an 'eye roll' moment. And no, I'm not on Mengs' payroll, it really is that good.
Lots of time put into the fading, spot-painting, weathering and generally dirtying-up of the paintwork - the basic tones are Mr. Color lacquers C307 & C308, from memory the (superb) Sidewinders are painted with good ol' Humbrol H127 to generate a greater contrast, and because I thought it looked quite cool ! - All of that fade and dirt was done with W&N oils and took a good few sessions, would love some feedback and thoughts from folks here, as I'm planning something similar for the Tamiya F-14 in the future.
Not much else to say, so please feel free to ask any questions, make comments or criticisms. Cheers from a warm and sunny NZ.
Hey Ian (@ij001) from a warm and sunny and windy and rainey and not sure what it wants to be Melbourne Aus 😀
Super bug looks great mate. Love the shading and weathering effects. Great job on this.
Looking forward to sharing my HobbyBoss F/A-18C in RAAF colours with you in the next month or so.
I was in Sidney a couple of weeks back for four days - three of them you couldn't see the top of the bridge arch for the clouds ! - thinking I might... MIGHT do the Growler in the anniversary scheme, because let's be honest, it's very cool:
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
I agree. The Meng F-18s are great kits. This is a superb representation. Perfectly weathered for a well serviced bird.
Beautiful work, fantastic result, Ian @ij001! 🤩
Great build. Weathering is spectacular.
Awesome model, Ian (@ij001). The paint is spectacular. The Meng kits I have built have all gone together perfectly, but nothing as complex as an F-18. You are killing my memories of Australia. I flew a mission in a C-141 to several places in Australia in the late 1980s and I don't remember ever seeing a cloud. Looking forward to the anniversary paint. Cheers.
This Hornet looks amazing, Ian @ij001
The painting and weathering is done superbly.
Awesome job, Ian!
Very nice work on this and very realistic paintjob. Great result!
A beauty! Love the paintwork and weathering. Excellent build.
Thanks folks, very much appreciated as always.
I’m a Meng fan too, Ian, but more of their car kits than planes, but this Hornet looks great.