1/48 Hasegawa and Monogram F/A-18 Hornets

by Fulton Recepcion

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  USMC Birthday 2004 

 

These are three 1/48 Hornets built by Fulton Recepcion over 7 years ago (a good Marine Corps bud of mine).

Fulton had built a series of 1/48 models for each type of plane that the VMF/VMA/VMFA-323 Death Rattlers had flown in their history. The F/A-18A and F/A-18C Hornets were from that series of models. The Monogram F/A-18A represents the first Hornets that VMFA-323 operated. He cut and drooped the leading edges, rudders and flaps. He painted it in the original F/A-18A colors of Light Gray(FS36495)on the lower surfaces & sides, Light Ghost Gray (FS36375) on the upper surfaces, and Blue Gray (FS35237) on the anti-glare panel. Superscale 48-191 provided the markings.

The Hasegawa F/A-18C represented the current (at the time) Hornets that VMFA-323 flew. It was built mostly out-of-box, with changes to the seat and antennas to reflect the later block F/A-18C. Superscale 48-473 provided most of the markings. Fulton changed the 'WS' tailcode to the 'NE' tailcode of CVW-2, changed modex to '201' and added 'USS Constellation' to represent the (then) previous carrier deployment.

The F/A-18D began life as the Revell-Monogram F/A-18C. Fulton converted to a D by opening up the fuselage and scratchbuilding the rear cockpit. He cut and drooped the leading edges, rudders and flaps. He changed the seats and antennas to reflect the later block F/A-18D. The longer two-seat canopy and fairing-behind-the-canopy parts came from the Testors F/A-18A/B. Again, Superscale provided the markings. (Whew. That was a lot of work. I remember asking him at the time why he didn't just buy the Hasegawa F/A-18D. He already had all the kit parts required and wasn't about to back down from a challenge.)

Fulton ended up donating all 3 Hornets to VMFA-323 and VMFA(AW)-225 about 6 years ago. I was with him when he turned over the F/A-18s to VMFA-323 and a pilot remarked that they just had to show the previous CO the model with his name on it. The photos were shot on the flightline at Miramar. If you look in the background, you'll see the real VMFA-323 jets. Unfortunately for us, VMFA(AW)-225 had just painted over their jets in anticipation of receiving the last F/A-18Ds off the St Louis production line. SEMPER FI Fulton.
John 

Photos © 1997/8 and text © 2004 by John Bibay