1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18E

Super Hornet VFA-27

by Mario Fernandez

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Well, it seems that one gets used to building easy Tamigawakits, and when building something else one gets a bit frustrated. This is exactly what happened, I was building a Vigilante when I decided I needed an easy build along the way to ease the tension.  I decided to try on this bird a couple of tricks I learned this past weekend (and I want to thank FURY from 3rdWire for them).

I had planned to do this one in flight for a long time, but I didn't have a base to do it. Thankfully, my Girlfriend gave me a toy F-15 that had a base, so I just "borrowed it"... heheh

Building went OOB with the addition of a 1/72 pilot figure, embossed confetti for the HUD, and Hasegawa Weapons.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The one trick that I appreciate the most is my discovery of Tamiya Smoke.  WOW.  I am amazed at how I could've live without it.  I feel that Tamiya Smoke and Mr. Surfacer 500 made me step a notch or two in quality.  I am impressed.

Decals were the worst I've ever used from Hasegawa.  They took forever to come off the sheet and I several broke during application.  Fixed it with a little patience.

Finally, I wanted to do this bird with a full Air-Air load, (I saved 14 AIM-120's to archive this) and I was a bit frustrated when Joe Hegedus (Hornet Weapon Master) told me the most they could carry were 4.  I still got away with it, I built dual AIM-120 launchers and put them on the outer stations.  However, dual launchers aren't cleared as of this moment, and much less on the station I put them.  Still, l WANTED to put at least 8 Missiles in it, so I guess 6 is OK.

Thanks to ARC for everything, the hosting, the forums, and all the guys involved in them.  Special thanks to FURY (Thomas from 3rdWire) and Joe Hegedus.

And, of course, you too for taking a look.  Hope you liked it as much as I have :)

Take Care!!!
Mario 

Photos and text © by Mario Fernandez