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SHEET: |
Aeromaster 48-394 for F-18 Hornet |
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PRICE: |
$9.00 |
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UNITS: |
VFA-86 / VMFA-451 |
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REVIEW & |
Chris Ishmael |
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NOTES: |
'Stinging Hornets Pt 1' |
The
McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 has taken over the role the F-4, A-7, &,
with the advent of the F/A-18 E & F models, the F-14 on the decks of U.S.
carriers.
This was the first offering in the series. The instructions are full color computer line drawing & text. Two additional b&w line drawings show common marking & data stenciling placement, and the paint scheme applied to the a/c. The text on this sheet also includes a history & description of the various paint schemes the a/c has carried over its service life. Both a/c are in the current light ghost / dark ghost scheme. There are only enough stenciling & formation lights to do one of the a/c, so you’ll have to go digging through your spares box to finish both of these a/c from this sheet.
The first a/c is the XO’s bird from VFA-86 Sidewinders, a former A-7 unit. All the squadron markings are in black along with some of the common markings & national insignia. The maintenance stenciling is gray, providing some contrast. Also note the sidewinder head on the drop tanks. Another decal of interest is 4L & 4R on the small decal sheet. This appears to be an extension of the non-skid walkway, but it goes up the side of the fuselage instead of along it.
The second a/c is an A model from VMFA-451 Warlords during Desert Storm. The fin flash & fuselage band have been carried over from its days as an F-4 unit. The squadron markings are in gray this time, with a false canopy painted under the nose, which consists of a 7-piece decal The instructions say that there were very little stenciling visible from the bleaching effect of the desert sun.
If you are so inclined (as I am), Aeromaster sheet # 48-396 has the decals to do the other 2 Navy F/A-18 units from CVW-1 (VFA-82 & VMFA-251).
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