1/48 Hasegawa F-18D  

by Fernan De Gannes

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Had the Hasegawa F18D in my stash for a few years.  When I saw Two Bobs Thunderbolts and Vikings sheet, I decided to get it and get building.  The aircraft depicted on the decal sheet was an updated version of this two seater so I had some scratch building to make it right.  I also ordered the Eduard set which contained cockpit and exterior details.  I had to: (1) Update the seats, and add foil seatbelts and buckles.  (2) Add 'bird slicers' to nose area.  (3) Add GPS dome and change antenna on spine to the swept back version. Two Bobs Thunderbolts and Vikings sheet, I decided to get it and get building.  The aircraft depicted on the decal sheet was an updated version of this two seater so I had some scratch building to make it right.  I also ordered the Eduard set which contained cockpit and exterior details.  I had to: (1) Update the seats, and add foil seatbelts and buckles.  (2) Add 'bird slicers' to nose area.  (3) Add GPS dome and change antenna on spine to the swept back version.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

 Other modifications included increasing the chaff buckets from two to four and added the antenna to nose gear door. 

    As per usual I thinned the trailing edges of all flying surfaces for better scale appearance.  I love the weathered appearance of these birds so the real fun was painting the model.  First I pre-shaded with Model Master Flat Black, then sprayed a coat of Model Master Light Ghost Grey.  After establishing the demarcation lines with Dark Ghost Grey, I "spotted" the rest of the upper surfaces with the same shade. 

 I then mixed some Military Brown and Ghost Grey and sprayed this onto the areas that were usually dirty on this aircraft.  This was followed by heavily thinned Ghost Greys to blend every thing together.  The Model was then glossed, decals were applied, and the model was given a medium grey acrylic wash.  

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

Because this is was an OIF bird I armed it with two GBU's, one AGM-88 and the usual Sidewinders all from various Hasegawa weapons sets.  Decals from Two Bobs added a touch of realism.  A final coat of clear  flat and that was it.  Hope you like the model.

Fernan 

Photos and text © by Fernan De Gannes