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Having begun scale modeling as a kid, as many have, I drifted away from the hobby to pursue a career. As many of us have, I came back to the hobby I had left behind. One thing I never lost was a keen interest in military subjects and recreating those subjects in scale. As a kid, my insight was limited along with ability. As a kid, my desires were such that I would crank out one model kit after another, always in a rush to see the final product. Sadly, the final product seldom compared to the box art for the kit.

Today, I have a higher level of patience, better insight and maybe a touch more ability in finishing a kit. Sadly, while the desires are what they were as a kid, my time for my interest is still limited by adult duties. Like many of you reading this article, I have stock-piled a wealth of model kits (a luxury I did not have as a kid). My intent is always best, to finish them all. My most recent effort has been the completion of the Hasegawa 1/48th scale CF-188A Hornet. My first matter of business was to (no offense to our Canadian counterparts) convert the kit to the FA-18C marked in the VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet squadron. I have always watched that squadron as they have a "colorful" history. While the 25th has operated from a variety of flat tops, I marked this F-18 to indicate operations from the USS Constellation. I have always centered my focus around Hasegawa and Tamiya kits for their attention to detail. As the electronics and avionics have always fascinated me with modern military aviation, I also purchased several drop in and detailing add-ons. This production has been underway for the last 6 months. Not to suggest this is a daily effort, rather a work under way, fashioned around the daily duties of my career. Paul Cotcher, our counterpart with the IPMS Northmen Club also took a Hasegawa 1/48th scale Hornet kit and as usual produced an excellent model. Nothing like a little pressure to take on a new project. To view some of Paul's work, visit his web site at Victory Models. His site also serves as an excellent resource to obtain those detail and drop-in kits that really enhance a model kit. I found this Hornet kit to go together very well, no major issues along the way (that I didn't create for myself). Hell, instructions? I have always found those useful in keeping paint and glue off the desk top...If I stopped to follow the instructions, this project would stretch out into a life time endeavor.

Very early into the kit I decided that it would be built into a simplistic diorama scene. I settled on a Hornet scene with the 18 on the carrier deck, and a two man deck crew preparing the Hornet for a mission. I have always been fascinated with operations on a carrier. Planes take a beating over time on a carrier with wear and tear. Repairs were done under short time constraints and piece-meal at times. The results over time was some planes that began to show their age. I have attempted to capture that look on this kit. A fine balance to achieve, as weather can quickly be over done if one is not careful. Fortunately, from what I have seen from real life, Navy planes run the gambit for wear and tear, some to a point of looking like scrap. I decided on using the Black Box F-18C (item #48002) cockpit set. The detailing in these drop in kits are excellent and bring the model to life.

As usual, Hub came through in a pinch and found me a decal set for the VFA-25, Super Scale US Navy Low Visibility markings (48-237). The Hasegawa kit comes with excellent detailing that includes white metal landing gear structures, and photo etched detailing. One curious matter with the kit, it only comes with fuel drop takes (3), no ordinance. This is due to the large spectrum of weapons the FA-18 carries. So, I elected to get the Hasegawa 1/48th aircraft in action series: Aircraft Weapons D, U.S. Smart Bombs & Target Pods. An excellent add-on kit that allows for great selection of weapons load-out. I decided to go with the GBU-24 Paveway III and GBU-12 Paveway II, supported with the AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod.

For the diorama I wanted to have the deck crew busy with pre-flight activities. One is freeing the plane from it's chained tie downs, while the other is going over a checklist. The Hornet is loaded for A/G strike. While the FA-18C has been noted as a gas guzzler, I went with one drop tank, center mounted (imagine a few refueling pit stops along the way). The deck crew are from Verlinden Productions, Inc. I used Testor's Model Masters custom enamel paints, and Future floor polish as a foundation. I sealed the model with Model Master flat clear lacquer finish. The final touch was the application of Craft tint Chalk Pastels. By no means do I consider myself a master modeler. I have returned to the hobby for self gratification. Like all of us, perhaps, I always find I wanted to do something different to the final product, something better. But, hey, isn't that what this hobby is all about? To challenge ourselves in that constant quest for the next level in achieving greater realism? By returning to this beloved hobby as an adult, I have captured some of that kid I grew away from years ago. Scale modeling has returned to me as a favorite past time. Along the way, I have found great pleasure from the hobby. The Mid-Carolina web site provides both the novice and advanced modeler with a wealth of information. Our members can provide a great source of information into all areas of scale modeling. To the right is a series of photos of my latest effort, the VFA 25, Fist of the Fleet, 1/48th scale FA-18C. This project, while nearing completion, is still underway. I have narrowed the project to detailing and starting the carrier deck work. By my calculations, within 3 to 5 years, this project may be finished.

Please come back and visit our member Showcase again soon to review the next member project. Advice? Uh, enjoy the hobby for the pleasures it brings you.

(click for larger image)