Revell 1/48 F/A-18C (horrible kit)

[vyper1]

Well after abandoning the Red Arrow for now, I made a start on the Hornet. What can I say about this kit, well it goes together easy enough but it is full of gaps. All the detail is raised so I decided against filling and sanding as I have no idea how I'd get the details back. The wings were also warped and again I don't have the hobby knowledge yet on how to straighten them out. Apart from these few shortcomings, it's not a bad kit at all I suppose and I'm using it to try out a new to me technique Paul demonstrated in one of his top class vids (pre-shading). Well after a day and half I'm quite surprise I managed to build and paint it and I'm impressed with how the pre-shade turned out, yep it could be better but for a first, I've impressed myself

[UKguyInUSA]

Ohhh, she's looking nice....looking forward to the next update!

[vyper1]

I swear I'm about to give this hobby up already as nothing is going right what has gone wrong now? I painted it, then did a couple coats of future to seal it, left it for a day to dry, then last night I applied the decals and applied the micro sol as demonstrated. Then today after work when I have returned to the model to continue with the decals, I'm presented with this If I apply more micro sol will that solve it? well it can't make it any worse

[MrModelling]

I have built this kit too! The exterior is kinda crap, but the interior is wonderful!

[vyper1]

I have built this kit too! The exterior is kinda crap, but the interior is wonderful!

Yes they definitely got it the wrong way round with this kit

I just need to figure out what mistakes it is that I keep making. I think I'm doing it correct but then something goes wrong.

[MrModelling]

I have built this kit too! The exterior is kinda crap, but the interior is wonderful!

Yes they definitely got it the wrong way round with this kit

I just need to figure out what mistakes it is that I keep making. I think I'm doing it correct but then something goes wrong.

As far as I remember the raised panels and the big gaps are the only problems.. maybe the missiles too

[Nesher]

How old is the kit? Hasn't Revell had quite a good track record with some of their planes (like the new Tornado)?

[vyper1]

How old is the kit? Hasn't Revell had quite a good track record with some of their planes (like the new Tornado)?

Hi Nesher, going by the instruction booklet it's 2013 but going by what is actually embossed under the horizontal stab then it's a 1995 kit. I'm assuming the latter is correct.

Is there a database somewhere that actually gives a kits production date so that you don't keep picking up old kits?

Anyway I have just finished it and tbh it's not perfect, there are a few things I did wrong and messed up but I'm happy with it Now onto the Hasegawa Egg which is more befitting my skills at the moment and I'm hoping it's an easy build

[UKguyInUSA]

Looking sweet, mate...nice job on your first build since your return to the hobby!

[Nesher]

I really like the attitude of the pilot, it fits the concept of a special paint scheme/display plane very well

[vyper1]

Looking sweet, mate...nice job on your first build since your return to the hobby!

Cheers, I must admit at various stages I thought about giving the hobby up again

I really like the attitude of the pilot, it fits the concept of a special paint scheme/display plane very well

Thanks, I wanted him waving or thumbs up just to add that something else.

I might return to the Hawk after I finish the Egg plane, or I might take a time out, it can get pretty stressful this modelling business

[EagleOnyx]

It looks great man!

If you are just starting out in this hobby I have some advice for you: Don't worry about sanding off some of the details when filling gaps. Don't worry about trying to replace the lost details until you get more experience. Most of those little details don't really matter in the long run. I've looked back at kits I built earlier and found countless errors and mistakes and stuff, gaps I didn't fill and seams that I didn't take care of properly. I was really proud of the work I did on them anyway, I didn't notice the errors. Nobody I ever showed them to noticed either. You're starting out, have fun with it. I have been building models off and on for 30 years and this month was the first time I ever re-scribed a panel. Most aircraft panel lines and whatnots are not even visible or at least barely noticeable on the real deal aircraft from 5 feet away. Seriously. I'm drinking Jameson and Mt. Dew so I just noticed this is getting very long winded. My bad.

As far as your decals silvering like that; it looks like you still had a matte/flat surface on the tail when you applied the decal. I have found it best to spray at least 3 coats of future like this: spray it, let it dry, spray again, let it dry, spray again, let it dry. Let it dry to the touch, no tacky feeling if you touch it. That's about 15-30 mins or so between coats. Check the surface for smooth-ness, you will get the best results with a very smooth surface. If it's not noticeably smooth after 3 coats of future then let it cure overnight or longer and then gently/lightly wet sand with very very fine sand paper of 800+ grit or one of those fine fingernail buffing stick things to knock down the remaining high spots and then rinse and coat it again with some more future. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

[vyper1]

Thanks Eagle, don't worry it wasn't long winded and you're right about not worrying about filling and sanding as the finished model is perfectly acceptable to me. Once I get better I will go that extra mile and put in the extra effort. Your right about the future requiring more coats, a lot of my problems boils down to my impatience but I guess that will get better with time

[amateurmodeller]

Well done, you did very well to make the kit turn out as it did despite the problems you faced!

[vyper1]

Thanks it turned out ok in the end. I have practiced my 1st wash on it and have gone for a subtle effect with some streaking where I think streaking would be

[HistoryRider]

It looks great!!

[vyper1]

It looks great!!

Cheers I had to do something whilst I wait for a delivery but I think this bird is now 100% finished with and it's been good practice