Airfix 1/72 F-18 "Top Gun"
The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), more popularly known as “Top Gun” is a training program that teaches air combat maneuvering tactics and techniques to selected naval aviators and naval flight officers who then return to their operating units as surrogate instructors.
The program began as the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, established on 3 March 1969 at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
In the 2022 Top Gun: Maverick sequel, Tom Cruise reprises his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick.
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the primary multirole fighter jet depicted in the Top Gun sequel, replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was the primary fighter jet depicted in the original Top Gun movie.
This is a 2020 reissue of the classic 1981 Airfix mold. The specific copy was bought from my hometown's sole remaining little hobby shop as a gift to my 9yo son who performed well at school and for an in-depth look at its contents you may read its preview found in the ever growing MM archives.
The kit is supposed to represent Maverick's F-18, as it appeared in the “Top Gun - Maverick” film. However, Maverick flew a Super Hornet in the movie and not a first generation Hornet that the kit contains.
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/mod/us/usn/fighter/pena18.htm
Happy Modelling!
That is a wonderful representation of the film-star Spiros. I would not have guessed it is 1/72.
Thank you kindly, my friend @russjurco!
Well done, Spiros. Love the eloquent lines of a Hornet. Your scheme looks great...nice job
Thanks a lot, my friend @gwskat!
Nice work, Spiros. That was my first F-18 back in 1981-82. Yours looks much better then mine did.
Thanks so much, my friend @j-healy! Too kind!
Great job Spiros! Love this version!
Thanks a lot, my friend @rickschad!
Exquisite.
Thanks my friend @bails!
You really have a knack for turning these old kits into true gems, Spiros @fiveten. Great scheme, beautiful paintjob!
Thanks so much, my friend @fxrob!
For a father and son build where accuracy has more to do with "Its Cool" is good enough it's time well spent. The 1st movie,the character development focused around the F-14s and Kelly McGillis. Maverick who?
Thank you kindly, my friend @stephen-w-towle!
At the Cradle of Aviation Museum here on Long Island, at the F-14 we have on display inside I 'll often will ask the visitors, what famous Tom starred in the movie Top Gun, they of course say Tom Cruise, I'll say that was Tomcat.
Meeoooww ! (@roofrat)
Doesn't look like a '81 mold to me.
Excellent work Spiros, and great times with your son.
Old Mav would give a 'Thumbs Up'.
Thanks so much, my friend @georgeswork!
Great work, Spiros (@fiveten). I am sure your son will enjoy this gift for a long time. It was a pleasure to watch this one come together.
Thank you very much, my friend @gblair! Feeling honored to have you on board!
Nicely done Spiros!
Thanks so nuch, my friend @roofrat!
Well done Spiros - an interesting scheme for the Hornet.
Thanks a lot, my friend @gkittinger!
What else to add to previous comments, this is such a wonderful build, Spiros @fiveten
Your son will have a lot of fun 'flying' Maverick's Hornet.
Well done.
Thanks so much, my friend @johnb! He sure will!
Really cool finish
Thanks a lot, my friend @blackadder57!
The best bits in the original film for me were the motorbike, the car, the music, and, of course, the girl. The second film hasn’t been available, yet, in China, but now I’ve seen your model I don’t need to see the movie. Great work as usual, Spiros.
Thanks so much, my friend @chinesegeorge!
Great work Spiros - a very nice rendition indeed.
Thank you very much, my friend @christopher!
Beautifully finish. Will be an admirable addition to your son's shelf!
Thanks so much, my friend @champagnecrc!
Cool gift for your son. I'm sure he likes it.
Thanks so much, my friend @tcinla!
Nicely done Spiros, keep the young ones interested !
Thanks so much, my friend @kalamazoo!
That looks awesome, Spiros. Great modelling.
Thank you kindly, my friend @shipwreck71!
Maverick would be very stoked about you giving this to your son, Spiros @fiveten.
Thanks a lot my friend @eb801!
Spiros,
Nicely done. Not a Super Hornet, but you still have to like the lines and shape of those Legacy Hornets.
Thanks so much, my friend @scott57!
Good job Spiros, another great looking model. I used to build this type in 1:48.
Thanks so much, my friend @milantesar!
Lovely job on this one Spiros.
Fantastic stuff
Thank you kindly, my friend @alistairfgauld!