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To
complete the CF-18 “2003 Tiger Meet Demo Hornet”, I used the Hasegawa F/A-18
Kit, Flight Decs CF-18 2003 Tiger Meet Demo Decals (#4803), Verlinden Ejection
Seat and various photoetch pieces from the F-18 kit and Eduards F-18 set.
To obtain the closes possible color match, I used Model Masters
International Orange(#12197), Go Mango(#2770) and Guard Red (#2718)
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As
I started working on the kit, I prepainted the engine exhaust/nozzles with
Alclads black base and let them dry for about a week; at which time I painted
them with Alclads Jet Exhaust. I then cut the engine covers and intake covers
from lead foil, completed the cockpit and landing gear. As the kit came
together, I applied the 3 shades of orange and then mixed the International
Orange/Go Mango and Go Mango/Guard Red to use as a transition between the
shades. Once I got the orange shades applied, I masked off the black area on the
fuselage and sprayed it because the decals required some painting on the upper
surfaces.
Once
the painting was completed, I applied a coat of future floor wax and began
setting the decals with Super SOL decal solution. To apply the decals properly,
it took approximately a week. Once
the kit was completed as far as painting, I attached the flaps/leading edges
along with the landing gear doors and made my touch ups as need.
As I neared the end, I dirty the bottom and sides with a black chalk to
give it a weathered look. To finish the kit, I coated it with floor wax on the
upper surface to give it a glossy appearance while a dull coat was applied to
the gray areas.
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I
then covered the pitot tubes with covers made from lead foil and attached remove
before flight flags. One other note
of special interest is that the Hasegawa F-18 kit has a molded centerline in the
canopy and this has to be sanded down, buffed out and polished.
If you’re interested in building the various versions of the CF-18, the
decals designed by Flight Decs and Leading Edge are excellent and when applied
with warm water and decal set, they mold perfectly to the surface.
Dave
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