| Date of Review |
July 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
Hasegawa |
| Subject |
F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| Scale |
1/48 |
| Kit Number |
07238 |
| Primary Media |
Styrene |
| Detail Media |
Styrene |
| Clear Media |
Styrene |
| Pros |
Nice external details |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Novice |
| MSRP (USD) |
$65.00 |
Background
The Super Hornet does not need much of an introduction. Lots
of politics and differing opinions can be found quickly with
a web search.
It was proposed in 1991 after the cancellation of the A-12
Avenger.The Super Hornet is an upgraded and stretched
out Hornet.
Flight testing of the F-18E started in 1992 and the first
deliveries started in 1998.
The F-18F/E will offer the US Navy a great commonality of
parts for all the different roles and missions as it will be
replacing the Tomcat, the Hornet and Prowler.
The Kit
The kit was introduced to the US market during the Dragon
Expo at the Atlanta IPMS/USA Nationals.
Notably absent from both the Revell and Hasegawa boxings
and instructions for this aircraft model are the names
of the parent companies (McDonnell Douglas and Boeing).It
is also curious that the kit was released at about the same
time by the two companies that have been partners for a while.It
is clear that both companies molded their kits so they can
be produced as both single and two seaters.
The kit comes molded in light gray styrene and contains over
250 parts.
The engraved panel lines are very nice and the surface detail
shows the great engineering and quality of the kit reflected
in the purchase price.
The cockpit comes with adequate detail but it would
not hurt to have a resin cockpit replace the existing one (I
wonder if the Black Box cockpit made for the Italeri kit would
fit here as well).
The intakes have full trunking leading to the turbine plates.
The elevators can be connected with an internal
rod and made to move together.
More importantly the model comes with separate leading and
trailing edge flaps that can be positioned up or down.This
alone gives "the look" to the model!
The afterburners are ok in detail but again a highly detailed
resin replacement could be desirable.
The landing gear has very nice detail and the landing gear
wheel wells come with a very nice and more realistic depth
to them.
There are some stores options with 4 sets of 480 gallon tanks,
2 AMRAAMs, 2 AIM-9X and one AN/ASQ-228.
The canopy can be positioned open or closed.The clear
plastic parts come in a very well protected layout with molded
barriers all around that should help protect the parts from
getting crushed or scratched.
The F-18F box sold at the Nationals had a sticker on top
advertising the included photo walkaround.The photos
included are of great quality, full of detail and include both
schemes found on the decal set.
The decals provided are for two NAVY squadrons:
- VFA-103 Jolly Rogers 2005
- VFA-102 DIAMONDBACKS
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