From: butler@sportster.ksu.ksu.edu (The Hornet)
Newsgroups: alt.models
Subject: Request for F/A-18 Information!
Date: 10 Nov 1992 05:27:51 -0600
Organization: Kansas State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: sportster.ksu.ksu.edu
Keywords: slgsn@cc.usu.edu wants an F/A-18

    The request was made by slgsn@cc.usu.edu for information on the F/A-18.
The following is my responce to his request...

       			Testors 1/48th F/A-18 or RF-18D

    The testors kit has its good points and its bad points.  The kit does not
assemble very easily.  The detail in the cockpit is inaccurate and the ejection
seats really suck.  However, the kit comes with both canopies for a single or  
dual seat fighters ( The F/A-18A and F/A-B ).  The RF-18D kit does have its
problems too.  Its essentially the same as the F/A-18 kit but the instructions
show you where to use some of the additional parts that come on the tree.  The 
major problems with this kit is that the model is not an RF-18D.  It is an 
RF-18B.  The difference is the addition of rear warning receivers on the tail
and ECM blisters at various places on the nose.  The other problem is that 
Testors is just guessing what the RF-18 is going to look like when it is placed
into service.  I would not suggest anyone build the RF-18 kit as it is very
inaccurate.
    The F/A-18 kit comes with Canadian 409 squadron markings and I believe 
VFA-15 "Valions" and VMFA-313 "Black Knights".  Stores include AIM-9 
sidewinders, four mk-82 500lb bombs, two harm missiles, LDT and FLIR pods, 
and external drop tanks.  The tanks included in the kit appear to be too small,
but most people won't notice the difference.  The kit instructions tell you to`
use the tanks as wing tanks and don't tell you about the centerline pilon or
where to place the tank.  If you want you can place one tank on center and 
discard the other.  They also provide the small vertical fence to place on the
leading edge extension, but don't tell you where to place it.  The fence was an
add on to all 18's.  Older 18's did not have this fence.
    Both kits can be built with canopy open or closed and with geat up or down.
I would not suggest gear up conopy open.  If you want to build a kit to hang 
from your ceiling, and don't expect people to get real close to it, I would
think this kit be sufficient.  Price $9-$14.


		Monogram 1/48th A-18, High Tech A-18, Blue Angels

    The monogram kit is better than the Testors kit.  The kit comes in three
variants.  The A-18 is the same as the High tech A-18 except the high tech kit
comes with metal etched parts.  Metal etched parts include caanopy mirrors,   
boarding ladder, etc.  The boarding ladder appears to be slightly too long.
All kits have essentially the same good and bad points.  The cockpit is well
detailed and a good ejection seat is provided.  The landing gear has very good
detail, but there are a few things missing.  On the nose gear, there is a box
that contains three lights indicating position of the aircraft on landing that 
is missing.  The landing light is also missing.  These can be manufactured 
fairly easily if wanted.  The burner cans don't seem to match with the rear
of the fuselage very well.  There is a line on the nose where there is no 
surface detail.  This section needs to be filled and sanded.  The rest of the
model has good detail.
    Stores include wing tip sidewinders, four 2000lb bombs, and LDT and FLIR
pods.  The kits also include one drop tank that must be placed on the 
centerline station.  The Blue Angels kit does not come with the 2000lb bombs
or the pods, but does come with the tank and sidewinders (which shouldn't be
used).  The fence for the leading edge extension is not supplied with the kit.
The kits do supply you with an accurate representation of the early F/A-18A.
    All kits must be built with the gear down.  The canopy can be open, but 
this is not suggested in dusty areas.  I would recommend this kit over the
Testors.  Price $9-$14.


			Hasegawa 1/48th F/A-18(A,B,C,D)

    Although I have not worked up the courage to build this model, I have 
taken a good look at the parts and can give you a good idea on how detailed 
the kit is.  WOW!  Hasegawa went all out on this kit!  The kit comes with 
white metal landing gear and metal etched parts standard.  The cockpit and
ejection seats are excellent.  The leading edge and trailing edge of the wings
may be positioned up or down.  All of the moving flight surfaces are seperate
pieces that may be placed as the modeler wishes.  The only kits out on the 
market are the A and C.  Both of these are single seat aircraft.  But the 
kit provides space for the rear seater as well.  Expect the B and D models out
by Christmas.  The kit includes four drop tanks (although you can only use
three).  The kit also includes an extra set of burner cans.  Both ejection 
seats are included, even in the single seat kit.  I could go on for pages on 
this model alone.  Most people don't have the kind of cash for this kit and 
won't buy it no matter what I say.  Those people who know about Hasegawa 
know what I'm talking about.  If you want to build a kit that looks like 
one you would see on the ground, this is your kit.  LDT and FLIR pods are
included.
    For extra detail, (like you really need it) Verlinden makes a detail set
that includes RADAR assemblies to open the nose as well as HARM and Sparrow
missiles.  One really cool ejection seat. and additional metal etched parts.
The boarding ladder in the Verlinden kit is wrong though, discard it.  
			                              
			Price F/A-18 A or C $50 to $70
			      Verlinden kit $20 to $25

    The Verlinden kit also allows you to fold the wings like the plane would
set on the carrier deck.  The Verlinden kit will only work on the Hasegawa kit.

	If you are going to build a model and can afford to wait, look into 
purchasing models by mail order.  We have had great sucess in buying mail    
order.  The prices are usually a lot cheaper and more so if you buy in bulk.
We buy from Discount Hobby out of Utica, New York.  Look into it...


F/A-18 Reference Materials

     Detail and Scale publishes information on the developement and early
production F/A-18's.  Copyright 1981.

     Squadron Signal also publishes info but is more up to date.  I don't 
know how long this has been out.

     Lock On also publishes good information on the A and C models.  The
information is sparce, but whats there is really good.  Good pictures too.


      	If anyone has additional questions about the F/A-18 please feel free
to E-Mail the request....



				Bruce Butler
				Kansas State University
				Manhattan, Kansas
				butler@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
				or butler@ksuvm (bitnet)

:w
 
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