1:48 F/A-18 A/C Hornet - Wheels and Canopy Frame Paint Masks (for Hobby Boss 80320 kit)

The Hornet for two roles at once

The naval F/A-18 came out of the contest for a light fighter and became a machine able to fight an air combat and attack a ground target during a single flight. The single-seat A form made up the first batches, while the later C brought night equipment and the ability to carry more advanced munitions. Besides the US Navy and the Marine Corps it was adopted by Canada, Australia, Spain, Finland and Switzerland, so the choice of color schemes is exceptionally wide.

Carrier service gave the machine strengthened landing gear, an arrestor hook and folding wingtips. A modeler can therefore choose between the full span on the flight deck and the folded form in the hangar below it.

Film on a doubly curved surface

The canopy of the Hornet arches to the sides and to the rear, and straight tape wrinkles on it. The vinyl material is flexible and can be stretched carefully. Anyone who seats it by the center first and only then presses the edges down will avoid the folds that paint seeps under and spoils the edge. Before spraying itself it pays to run a stick over the edge once more. Gray schemes moreover forgive nothing: on large uniform areas every imperfect transition stands out.

Frames, wheels, compatibility

The delivery covers the cockpit frames as well as circular cutouts for the wheels. The cut matches the molding from Hobby Boss in this scale. Once spraying is done, peel the mask off with the tip of a toothpick or a wooden stick, because metal tweezers easily leave a scratch on a clear part which you will never get out of acrylic.