Hasegawa 1/72 F/A-18C Hornet 'Wings '94 Atsugi Independence'

HASEGAWA 1:72 F/A-18C HORNET "Wings '94 Atsugi Independence"
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: John Lacey (elric@johnsmail.com)

A re-release of Hasegawa's F/A-18A/TF-18A from the mid 80s with an additional sprue of -18C components and additional decal sheet, in addition to the standard one supplied.

New components include Vertical Fins, Nose Gear Door, a pilot (of considerably better quality than his boxmate) and half a dozen 'lumps 'n bumps'. An addition to the 'C' sprue sees the small fences above the LERX's (part 20). Originally moulded stores are a mixed bag, the AAM's expected to represent AIM-9L's and AIM-7F's are horrendous in the least and don't even warrant an excursion to the spares box, bin these with all haste before your mind is forever tainted by their general 'blah'. Other stores include 3 drop tanks, 2 horizontal ejector racks, an AN/ASQ-173 LST/SCAM and an AN/AAS-38 FLIR.

Instructions are standard Hasegawa with history, warnings, painting callout, and construction diagrams followed by Stores table and Painting and Decaling guide. An additional one-page sheet supplies Painting and Decaling information for the Independence based aircraft.

The construction guide calls for the use of the original kit pilot because of the new mouldings FLIR goggles. Do so at your own risk. They also specify where the relevant replacement parts are needed.

The mouldings themselves are of the recessed panel line variety, however, due to the original kit being a multi use moulding the blended lines of the actual airframe, liberties are taken with joint areas with the fuselage sides, intakes and other nooks and crannies being a royal pain from previous experience with the kit in it's TF-18A form. One note here, one is reminded of the Revell or Italeri offerings that offer multiple versions within the one kit, this yet to be a feature of Hasegawa's offerings although the kit is designed specifically for multiple versions.

The decals are where this kit truly shines. They are in good register and feature plenty of stencilling to keep even the most ardent of us happy. In addition to the two USN Fighter/Attack squadrons based aboard the Independence noted on the box top, namely VFA-192 and 195, you also get the original decals for a USN VFA-82 machine and a USMC VMFA-232 bird (my favourite). Once again, it must be noted these 'original' decals are from the first re-release of the kit to -18C standard.

Painting is standard USN/MC low viz with Gunze Sangyo and Mr Hobby colours noted in addition to English names and some FS numbers.

In conclusion, the addition sprue tries to dress up what is an old kit. This being noted because Hasegawa have now released 'new moulds' of the -18C and -18D. The decals are a gem with options galore, however, I don't believe the kit warrants Hasegawa's prices, I being lucky enough to pick it up on sale and thus greatly reduced. Recommended to those with more money than sense.

Related Reviews:-

Related INBOX reviews:-

web hosting • domain names
web design • online games