1:72 F/A-18D HORNET

The two-seat F/A-18D Hornet in 1:72 scale from Hobby Boss

This injection-molded plastic kit captures the F/A-18D version, that is the two-seat form of the Hornet multirole aircraft with a lengthened canopy. The 1:72 scale keeps the model a reasonable size even with its stores and suits a larger collection of modern combat aircraft. The maker is Hobby Boss.

The real subject

The Hornet was created as a multirole machine able to carry out fighter and attack duties alike, with a pair of afterburning jet engines, a wing leading edge with pronounced extensions and two canted vertical tails. The F/A-18D version is the two-seat counterpart of the F/A-18C. In the strike configuration the rear cockpit is occupied by a weapon systems officer, who has no full flight controls and concentrates on directing the attack and on night operations. It was in exactly this form that the type proved itself with the Marine Corps, where it carried out night attack, reconnaissance and forward air control duties. Two cockpits and an identical airframe make it a rewarding subject alongside the single-seat C.

Building and painting tips

Finish both cockpits and the seats first and only then close the fuselage. Fill and sand the gaps at the wing roots and at the air intakes, because the light gray naval scheme reveals every unevenness. Spray with an airbrush in two shades of gray and leave the transitions soft; build the weathering mainly from fading of the surfaces and from suggested panel lines. Paint the stores, the tanks and the missiles separately and fit them at the very end. Apply the decals over gloss varnish and then unify the whole with a matte overcoat.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of carrier and naval aircraft
• Modelers interested in two-seat strike versions
• Anyone interested in present-day aviation in 1:72 scale
• Builders with basic experience of plastic kits

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.