1:72 F/A-18C S.A. Academy

The real subject

The F/A-18C is the single-seat version of the multirole carrier aircraft Hornet. From the outset the machine was designed to handle both a fight with an airborne target and an attack on a target on the ground, which is why its ordnance is routinely changed according to the mission. The robust landing gear, the arrestor hook and the folding wingtips reveal that the aircraft takes off from a catapult and lands within a limited deck length. Against the two-seat version it is recognized at first glance by the shorter canopy glazing with a single seat.

What the set offers

These are photo-etched metal parts in 1:72 scale. Its designation ties them to the Academy kit, so the parts are tailored to that kit and may not fit others without adjustment. The metal sheet is a few tenths of a millimeter thick, so it replaces plastic shapes that have to be thicker than the real thing for production reasons. The exact extent of the set is given by the manufacturer's instructions.

• Photo-etched metal parts in 1:72 scale
• Subject: the single-seat carrier aircraft F/A-18C
• Shaped for the Academy kit according to its designation
• An accessory to the kit, not a stand-alone model

Building and painting tips

Cut the tabs holding the parts to the fret with a sharp blade on a hard surface. Follow the scored lines when bending and press the bend home with a straight edge. The parts are glued with a tiny amount of cyanoacrylate. Wash and degrease the metal before gluing and before painting; apply primer to the degreased surface and only then the paint.

Who it is for

For modelers who build contemporary carrier aircraft in 1:72 scale and want a higher level of detail on the model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.