1:48 F/A-18A Hornet cockpit set

The real subject

The F/A-18 Hornet is an American carrier-based aircraft intended for the fighter as well as the attack role, which its dual designation expresses too. It served with the Navy as well as the Marine Corps and became one of the symbols of carrier aviation of the 1980s. The A version is single-seat; on the Hornet the instrument panel is flatter than on older machines and screen displays took the place of some of the traditional dials on it.

What the set solves

In 1:48 scale the cockpit under the large clear canopy really is clearly visible and it is where the viewer looks first. An injection-molded kit, though, can only suggest it: the panel tends to be flat, the side consoles have soft detail and the seat lacks the belts as well as the small levers. A replacement set takes the place of these areas with parts with sharper relief, so the inside of the cockpit gains the depth and the shadows that matter so much. The scope of the particular set is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so plastic cement has no effect on them; they are bonded with super glue. Cut the excess material off a little way from the part with a sharp blade and sand the remainder flat. Before painting, wash the parts in lukewarm water with dish soap and degrease them, otherwise the paint rubs off the smooth surface as you handle it. The cockpit tub is fitted before the fuselage is glued together, so dry-fit it first and remove as much of the plastic it replaces as needed. Bring out the fine detail of the panel with a dry brush and leave the shadows in the recesses instead.

Who it is for

For modelers who build the Hornet in 1:48 scale and want the cockpit finished properly under an open canopy as well. The parts are small, so tweezers and good light pay off. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.