1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18D

Gallery Article by Thomas Ng on Aug 31 2003

  Malaysian National Day 2003 

 

In 1993, TUDM made a surprise split purchase of Mig-29N and F/A-18D. The Hornet was selected as to fulfill interdiction, night attack and maritime strike roles complementing the Fulcrums on Air to Air role as part of the TUDM modernization program. 

Eight aircraft were ordered, with deliveries commencing in March 1997, a new No 18 Skuadron was form and station in TUDM Butterworth. The TUDM Hornet is the standard USMC Night attack version, It have unique overall 36118 Gunship Gray paint scheme similar to those on USAF F-15E.

The TUDM Hornets are equipped with the upgraded Hughes APG-73 radar and two General Electric F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engines. Weapon supplied include AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-65 Mavericks, AGM-86 Harpoon as well as GBU-24 Paveway II LGB. 

Malaysia is the first nation in Southeast Asia to  receive the F/A-18D, but Service of F/A-18Ds in TUDM are destine to be short, There are rumors that the Delta will be trade in for 18 of it younger brother F/A-18F, a contract are expected to be announce in LIMA 03 this October.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The kit I used is the 1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18D. Upon open the box, I found the same old Hase Hornet kit that I have for my first box of aircraft model10 years ago, but with new tree for the necessary C/D parts. 

I build this model out of the box, I added the necessary bits that mention in the www.F-4DableModels.com decal instruction, I sketch build the twin chaff dispenser with plastic card and round it of with putty, I also added the GPS dome on the spine.

The seats supply in the kit look not convincing, since I do not have the resin seat to go with, I stuck 2 pilot figures in to hide the ugliness of the seat. 

The model was painted using Gunze Acrylics, The decal is from F-4DableModels, they are easy to use. This is the first time I use aftermarket decal, and I like it a lot.

Acknowledgment: 
Victor Kam & Jason Cheah for your reference photos and excellent Hornet Decal.  

Thomas Ng

      

Photos and text © by Thomas Ng