|
My model is of an F-18D that I
photographed at an MCAS El Toro Air Show a few years back. It is for the
most part out of the box with some minor changes to the cockpit and the addition
of armament. The markings are from a combination of Superscale and Repli-Scale
sheets as well as some hand painting.
|
Click on images below to
see larger images |
 |
 |
I used True Details NACES seats, I
realize that these are not quite accurate but, they were the only ones available
at the time I built this model. Since the Hasegawa cockpit represents the
early dual control D model, the aft cockpit need some changes. The aft
instrument panel needs three Muti-Function Displays on the top and the radio
control panel below the center display. To create this I first made a mold
of the original panel, I then cast a new one.
I now took the original panel and removed the lower MFD and the radio panel.
Then I dissected the cast panel and placed the MFD and radio control panel in
the right place. I also deleted the center stick, cut off the grip and
casted a second grip. These were the placed on the side panels.
The only modifications / additions to the exterior were the ailerons were
dropped and the red and yellow arm / safe buttons on the nose were added.
Covers for the screens above the engines aft the tail fins were added for
a bit more color.
The Sidewinder is from a
Monogram kit with Model Technologies photo-etched forward fins. The data
on the missile was hand painted. The 5" rockets came from a Technics
armament set. The rocket pod on the left side represents one that has been
used before; with the rocket exhaust stains carefully airbrushed over white.
Yellow decal strips were used to mark the rocket warheads.
|
Click on images below to
see larger images |
 |
 |
The landing gear wells were detailed
only with paint to bring out the details. An oil wash was applied to add
depth. I used Verlinden's Lock On No. 15 F/A-18A/C & CF-18C Hornet, as
reference here, as it has excellent color photos of this area.
The paint and decals were little bit of a challenge. Since I was modeling
a specific airplane I had mix and match the decals. I also had to do some
hand painting. The VMFA(AW)-242 on the spine was created by using a
frisket mask. I created the art work on the computer using a drawing
program. I then printed it directly to backing paper of the frisket film.
Because I cut the mask from the backing paper side, cutting through the paper
and the film, the image had to be reversed, i.e. printed backwards. Then the
letters were carefully cut out with a very sharp scalpel and a straight edge
using the printed image to produce a mask. The bat and lighting bolt were
produced in the same manner. I reversed only one image though to make a
mirror image on the other tail. I used Testors Model Master enamels throughout, with Testors
Gloss Cote for decal prep and Dull Cote for the final finish.
The weathering was VERY subtle, as
the real airplane was relatively new. I use a little oil paint strait from
the tube to produce grease and oil leaks, some were smeared in the direction of
the air flow. A technical pen with black ink was used represent the more
prominent rivets an panel line. The canopy was tinted with Future and food
coloring. The inside of the canopy was carefully masked an paint with a
beige color first to represent the caulking and inner color of the framing.
Then it was painted black. This was worth the effort as it gives the
canopy depth and accurately represents the junction between the canopy frame and
the glazing.
Erin
|
Click on images below to
see larger images |
 |
 |
|
