1:48 F/A-18 Hornet exhaust nozzles for Kinetic kit

The real subject

The F/A-18 Hornet is a carrier-based multi-role combat aircraft with two engines mounted close together at the rear of the fuselage. The exhaust nozzles are therefore prominent on the real aircraft, and on the model the viewer has them practically at eye level when looking from behind. The tail area of in-service aircraft also tends to be stained from hot exhaust gases, which makes for a rewarding painting subject. On molded plastic parts, the nozzle wall is usually thick and the interior shallow, which is exactly why this is a good part to replace.

What the set contains

The package brings replacement exhaust nozzles for 1:48 scale, designed for the Kinetic kit. The parts have thin walls and carry the detail of the inner and outer petals of the nozzle. They are not made of polystyrene and are therefore joined with cyanoacrylate or two-part glue; ordinary plastic cement has no effect on them.

Building and painting tips

First test-fit the parts and adjust the mating surface at the rear of the fuselage so the nozzle sits on the correct axis. Before gluing, wash the parts in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap, let them dry and apply a base coat. Paint the inside of the nozzle before fitting it, as it becomes hard to reach afterward. It is worth varying the metallic tones and refining the transitions toward the hot areas with a filter or pigment.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers building the Hornet in 1:48 scale who want to raise the level of detail at the rear of the model without touching the rest of the build. The job takes one evening and it shows. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.