1/48 Testors F/A-18A Hornet

Converted to an F/A-18A+ with Superscale VMFA-115 Markings

by Ken Middleton

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  United States of America Independence Day 2006 

 

The model is a tribute to "Puj" who lost his life in 2004. The walkarounds of the jet are here. At the time, I didn't realize the tail markings were a bit different....the tail, the size of the side stripe and squadron and the ribbon added to the speed brake.

Seeing I had a couple Testors F/A-18 kits in my stash, I decided to use one with some modifications. The kit is far from being an up-to-date and state-of-the-art Hornet, but with some work, it can come out OK.

Modifications/additions I did:

  • Added the 5 blade antennae to the nose

  • Added wing tip formation light panels - I used a Hasegawa kit as a template to make the panels.

  • Dropped the flaps slightly

  • Used a seat from a Monogram Hornet kit

  • Drilled out the gun ports in the nose

  • Added the inner tail braces from a Hasegawa kit (thanks to Dave Roof)

Click on images below to see larger images

To make the nose antennae, I had bought some Plastruct "T" shape styrene, but it was too large...I needed the 3/64th size. So I ended up making my own...very tedious with small strips. I made one long one, and then cut the smaller portions.

In Flight Display

The model is an in-flight display, and early in the build, I needed to prepare for the support rod in the model. For 48th scale models, I use 1/4 inch tubing to make the hole. I simply heat and press it onto the model, and clean up the opening with files and sandpaper. I found this method was a lot faster than trying to drill the hole. I use a pipe cutter to cut the length of tubing I need, and secure it with 5 minute epoxy.

I also drilled out the gun ports on the nose as they are not even evident on the kit part. I placed a small sheet of plastic underneath the openings for a backing.

Click on images below to see larger images

Decals

I used Superscale's sheet for VMFA-115 which had the markings with the speed brake art and different tail markings.

I used the false canopy decals from the Testors kit (for the Canadian version) and when I applied them, forgot to leave a space between the front and back portions (to simulate the horizontal frame on the real canopy), so I took some decal strip and painted it, and then laid over to make the gap.

Formation light decals are not on the SS sheet, but I used some from a Two Bobs sheet (always great sources for formation lights, stencils and walkways!).

I had a tough time with the speed brake decal and conforming to shape of the brake. The top portion is so concave, the decal curved over on itself as it dried (sort of like a shirt with a v-neck opening). I touched up with insignia blue, and therefore one star is missing. One section of the lower part also tore on me (which forced me to coat the rest of the decal sheet with Future before using), so I had to use a second lower half decal and place over it. 

Weapons

The AIM-9 Sidewinders came from an Academy F-15 kit, and GBU-31s came from the Revell Super Hornet kit along with the weapons' decals.

Click on images below to see larger images

The model will be sent to VMFA-115 "Siler Eagles" at MCAS Beaufort.

Ken

Photos and text © by Ken Middleton