1:48 F/A-18E/F/G Super Hornet ECS pipes - early version

Air conditioning exhausts for the Super Hornet in 1:48 scale, the early form

This item is not an aircraft model but a detail set of the Quickboost brand. It takes the place of the exhausts of the environmental control system, that is, of the air conditioning and the pressurization of the cabin, which on the real Super Hornet carries hot air out of the fuselage. In plastic kits this place tends to be simplified into a shaped bump without an opening. The replacement part opens the hole up and makes of it exactly what you see on the aircraft even from a distance.

The real subject and the difference between the forms

The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet is an enlarged and practically new machine derived from the original Hornet, with more powerful General Electric F414 engines and a bigger wing. The electronic warfare machine then comes from the two-seat version. It is precisely with the air conditioning outlets that the form changed in the course of production, and that is why Quickboost keeps two separate sets. This one is intended for the early form. Before buying, therefore, verify which production form your model represents, because the sets are not interchangeable.

Usage tips

Cut the original part on the fuselage away with a saw or a sharp scalpel and level the surface by wet sanding. Wash the new part in lukewarm water with dish soap before painting. It is glued with super glue; a glue meant for plastic does not hold here. Fill the seam around the part and sand it over before the base paint is sprayed, otherwise it will be visible once the finish is on.

Who the set is for

• For modelers who are building the Super Hornet in 1:48 scale
• For builders who want an open and faithful air conditioning outlet instead of a blind bump
• For more experienced modelers, because the part is set in place after the original has been cut away
• For those who build a particular machine and watch out for the production form

It is an accessory set, not an aircraft kit. The base model, paints and glue are not included in the package.