Well here is what likely will be my final build before I leave for college in June:

Hasegawa's 1/48 F-18F Super Hornet. I've always wanted to build a Super Hornet in VFA-103's markings, so when I saw this kit for $30 at my LHS, I knew it was a must. There, I also bought Hasegawa's 1/48 Aircraft Weapons C to see if I could dress the Super Hornet up a bit more than the regular kit allows.

This was going to be an OOB build until I decided that I wanted my last build to be something really detailed, so I wound up buying Aires' F-18F cockpit set, Scale Aircraft Conversions white metal F-18F landing gear set, Fightertown Decals' VFA-103 Super Hornets "Victory Hat Trick" which has markings for VFA-103's first combat cruies, Summer 2008 cruise and 2009 OEF cruise. I also bought an 11x17 in. modern carrier base from 3 Wire Design. It's printed on styrene which is mounted on foam board and it is VERY well detailed and weathered. I would have tried to make my own base, but time is a concern. All these extras I bought from spruebrothers.com.












So far, I plan on building the VIctory 200 jet from the USS George Washington, March-June 2008.

Any questions or comments are welcome. If you would like more pictures, let me know.

Nice project !!! It's a great kit to build.

I hate to bust your bubble, someone correct me here if I'm wrong, but I don't believe many of the weapons in the 'C' set are usable on the F-18F.

You could potentially use the AIM-9M or the Maverick AGM's but that is about it.

What you really need is the set 'E':

Great project Andy…better yet what a deal on the price. I just finished up two foxtrot 18’s that need paint.. Will this be your first Hasegawa F-18 kit. If so I can help you with a few fit problems. Any how here is the loadout under the E/F 18 fuselage

Missiles ,
AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 Sparrow, AGM-65 Maverick, (SLAM-ER) Stand Off Attack Missile, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-154, AGM-84 Harpoon.

Bombs,
JDAM, Paveway laser guided bombs, Mk 80’s, CBU-87, CBU-78, CBU-97, Mk 20’s

Thanks for the heads up on the carrier deck base. It’s the first I’ve seen it and will place an order for two.

Good luck with your project and looking forward to see it take flight…and oh yeah…good luck at collage.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

Thank you Anthony for the kind comment. I've been wanting to build a Super Hornet for a few years now.

Anthony, I knew when I bought the set that I wouldn't be able to use many of the weapons, but I didn't feel like shopping around for the E set, so if just a few missiles are able to be used, I'll be happy. Thanks for the heads up though!

Joe, thank you for the load information, and yes this is my first F-18 build so any advice would be greatly appreciated! And thanks for the well wishes for college. June 27th I start basic training at the United States Military Academy at West Point for the class of 2015. Considering I will be Army, this a controversial choice for a model

I haven't built the F yet and its in my favorite colors I will be watching this one.

Joe, have you got any good reference photos for the cockpit? I don't really know what to paint anything besides the main gray color the instructions dictate.

Also, this is my first time working with a resin cockpit. Is it worth priming? Or would that potentially obscure all the fine detail?

Thanks,
Andrew

just wash the Resin well w/dish soap and let dry .this gets any of the release agent left behind.No there is no need to prime. As far as the reference a simple google search provided many results.Also there are a few on Aircraft resource Center.
I don't prime any of my models just good prep.

PM sent

Joe

Sorry for not posting any more pictures yet. I don't have access to a digital camera at the moment, but I should in a few days and then I'll post some. Progress is coming along well though.
Joe gave me some tips and pointers that have been extremely helpful!!

Finally the pictures I promised:

(I resculpted both the pilot and RIO's right hands to add variety)

Pilot:






RIO:



I know some of the PE seatbelts aren't perfect, but the imperfections are hidden once in the cockpit, so I figured best to leave them alone rather than risk it.












Sorry about the messy work bench in the photos...it happens


Getting ready!! 32 days until Reception Day. I hope I can finish!

Major painting finishes, beginning stages of weathering. Decals later today.








Futured up:

Fantastic piece of work,great pics

It's now 11:30, the night before I report for basic up at West Point. She was finished around 11:00

Sorry for the poor photos and flash, but I didn't have enough time to take good ones. I'm sorry!

Happy modeling, and have a great summer!

[imghttp://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv171/apalella/DSCN0004.jpg[/img]

sorry for the messed up image

Looks great from here. Real neat build. I'll be looking for those decals. Best of luck to you at West Point.

Hopefully you have made it through your basic training and are solidly into your first scholastic plebe days. I was a ROTC guy, but let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to PM me. BTW, your model looks great.

Michael