Early twin tub RAAF Hornet A21-102

[AndrewDoppel]

I bought this kit of Uncle Les with the intention of just throwing it together with a bit of scratch building in the tubs but it got the better of me and in the end it has P/E and resin seats, some Hobby Boss bits and some Hasegawa bits. I'm still undecided as to whether to arm it or just leave it be. I'm also undecided as to keeping it or off loading it as I have a Hobby Boss D to build as a later schemed B. A couple of minor things to do to it but its pretty well done. For those that saw my post on Future in the main forum the enamel wash didn't wrk on it so I resorted back to my dishwashing liquid acrylic wash which you can see worked. Any way here are the pics and I hope you like it;

Type: MDD F/A-18B
Serial: A21-102
Based: 2OCU Williamtown, NSW (circa 1986)
History: Second constructed F/A-18B for RAAF. Built at McDonnell Douglas St. Louis plant, shipped to Australia 1985 and re-built. 102 still flying with RAAF's 2OCU and was present at Avalon 2015 as part of the 30th anniversary of RAAF Hornet operations in Australia.
Kit: 1/48 Italeri with Eduard F/A-18D photo etch, Legend resin seats, Hasegawa F/A-18F modified rear shroud, Hasegawa drop tank and centreline pylon, Hobby Boss pylon bomb dispenser. Scratched gun ports and home made FOD bungs. Decals from Southern Sky, Aussie Decals, Hawkeye, Roo Decals and spares.
References: Personal images, Phantom, Skyhawk, Hornet in Australian Service (Wilson)

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[Antoney Wilkinson]

Leave it as thats the way we most often saw them in those days, and hang on to it. Nice example of an early bird...

Cheers,

AGW..

[RayS]

Nice job Andrew, Don't need to arm it up since they did not carry anything initially, wasn't until late '85 when they appeared up at TVL for a bomb camp while I was up there with 77SQN.

[AndrewDoppel]

Cheers Ray and AGW. Onto the next.

[Rimau]

Very nice Hornet Andrew.

Pity about the holes between the LEX and the forward fuselage that was on the prototype but not the production jets. Italeri's kit was pretty early but yours looks bloody good.

[AndrewDoppel]

Thanks Rimau

[RAAFBrat]

Lovely job Andrew, but can you get the Erks to please give the poor thing a wash? It's filthy .

[AndrewDoppel]

Thanks Steve.

[woodziee]

Nice one Andrew. Leave it as is and hang onto it.
Cheers,
Matt.

[AndrewDoppel]

Thanks Matt. Problem is I'm running out of space for all these larger builds.