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Freedom Models F/A-18 Super Hornet "Top Gun Maverick" Compact Model.
- Thread starter Rhino
- Start date
Play on ghostrider.
Rhino
Super Moderator
"Starbase, Starbase. Sandman flight of 2 inbound, skosh fuel. Request a ready deck on arrival. over."
So it begins. I put a pinch of #4 birdshot in a puddle of c/a glue in the nose. This model doesn't say "I'm a tail-sitter" but I like to make sure.
"Why spend the $$ on extra decals from Thailand, when I already know Freedom Models decals fit their kits and are excellent?"
I wished for the cool helmet artwork for Captain Pete's helmet and side console transfers to fill the big empty spaces in the sides of the cartoon cockpit.
I wanted to make the new BT for "Twins" but there is too much work to do, fixing the cloth doped control surfaces to metal coverings.
This kit is essentially the Airfix 1/72 C-47 Dakota kit with stretched fuselage, different wingtips and turbo-prop engines at twice the price.
Rather a disappointing model purchase. Modelsvit had a shot at making a really interesting Gooney Bird variant and fell short. Pei Paladcho!
The Top Gun Maverick kit may be a surprise those that know my deep-rooted disdain all things "Hornet", except for the Blue Angels and the Canadian AF CF-18. I do like to build movie subjects. I took the chance to "Make a Super-Bug and Make a Joke"!
Stay tuned as yet another of my ridiculous model airplane stories unfolds!
So it begins. I put a pinch of #4 birdshot in a puddle of c/a glue in the nose. This model doesn't say "I'm a tail-sitter" but I like to make sure.
"Why spend the $$ on extra decals from Thailand, when I already know Freedom Models decals fit their kits and are excellent?"
I wished for the cool helmet artwork for Captain Pete's helmet and side console transfers to fill the big empty spaces in the sides of the cartoon cockpit.
I wanted to make the new BT for "Twins" but there is too much work to do, fixing the cloth doped control surfaces to metal coverings.
This kit is essentially the Airfix 1/72 C-47 Dakota kit with stretched fuselage, different wingtips and turbo-prop engines at twice the price.
Rather a disappointing model purchase. Modelsvit had a shot at making a really interesting Gooney Bird variant and fell short. Pei Paladcho!
The Top Gun Maverick kit may be a surprise those that know my deep-rooted disdain all things "Hornet", except for the Blue Angels and the Canadian AF CF-18. I do like to build movie subjects. I took the chance to "Make a Super-Bug and Make a Joke"!
Stay tuned as yet another of my ridiculous model airplane stories unfolds!
Rhino
Super Moderator
These little Freedom models go together pretty quickly. There is only ONE Super Hornet in the box with a single seat F/A-18E and 2-seat F/A-18F as options. This will be the E-model, single seat "Push-ups" movie version. When I built their F-104 Starfighter models, I remember the fit being better. Gaps all over this funny Bug.
Having fun with it yet?
Rhino
Super Moderator
You know I am!
How's he going to engage 5th generation fighters?
Rhino
Super Moderator
"I'm too close for missiles, I'm switching to guns."
This one is the "You're Dead" Super Bug from Top Gun Maverick Dagger mission training. "The Best of The Best" sure seem to lolly-gag around the sky quite a lot. Were I a TOPGUN grad, I might find this depiction insulting.
There is a plan.........................
There is always a plan.
This one is the "You're Dead" Super Bug from Top Gun Maverick Dagger mission training. "The Best of The Best" sure seem to lolly-gag around the sky quite a lot. Were I a TOPGUN grad, I might find this depiction insulting.
There is a plan.........................
There is always a plan.
I'm still not rushing but let's kick the burner already!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Right?! From MRT (military rated thrust) to "Burner" Aviators say "Plugged the Burner". I'm being good. I have lots of things to work on.
We have a HUGE house project after Mr. Tornader came by 24 May 2024.
I seek a new home for this tee-shirt. Single men, 2X Listen up!
Free shipping in the United States!
We have a HUGE house project after Mr. Tornader came by 24 May 2024.
I seek a new home for this tee-shirt. Single men, 2X Listen up!
Free shipping in the United States!
Rhino
Super Moderator
Lil' Captain Mitchell is included in the kit. I did a pilot test fit while decals were going on. F/A-18E Silly Hornet?
I LOVE applying decals! They bring the model to life. Putting "OO" in white on the tops of the vertical stabilizers seems Navy-like, but they don't come in the kit decals. The underside is flat-coated. No more TOPGUN Maver-egg mischief until that is cured. Landing gear and external fuel tank after that!
Thanks again for looking in!
Double 0 for OOOOO.
Rhino
Super Moderator
Rick Raccoon is giving the TOPGUN Maver-egg F/A18E Silly Hornet a looking over. He seems a little skeptical but hasn't voiced any misgivings so far.
The aftermarket decals included side panels. The kit decals for the unpowered LCD screens are purple-ish looking. I cain't say about the Hornet, but in a F-14D Tomcat they are more green-ish. I dropped my chunky clear kit HUD reflector, so I cut a bit of clear plastic cup and fitted it. There could have been more switches, warning lights and buttons on the instrument panel, but so many functions of these more modern jets is displayed on LCD screens, I didn't add any.
Pitfalls of this kit:
The fit is not good. More like a snap-together toy, than a model kit, like previous issues from Freedom Models.
If displayed on the ground, the main landing gear doors have be cut apart. They are molded as a single part, for an in-flight display. The extended main gear doors don't really locate in a positive way. I've knocked off two of them so far. The nose gear doors have optional parts for extended or retracted gear.
It you build the training "Push-ups" version of Captain Mitchell's jet, all the wing and fuselage pylon mounts must be shaved and filled. Maverick carries only the centerline external fuel tank and wingtip sidewinders in the movie training phase. The wingtip AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles are molded partially into the wingtip, making filling and sanding them smooth a pain. On the Freedom Models F-104 Starfighter kits, Sidewinder halves are 2 separate parts. If you make the Dagger Strike Egg-Hornet, there are lots of munitions and pylons to mount. Beware of gaps in the bomb, missile and fuel tank halves. The fully loaded Dagger Strike Egg-Hornet looks exceptionally ridiculous, adding to the fun of Chibi jet aircraft model building.
Naked Cockpit. Lots of visible space. Scanty detail.
On the plus side:
Excellent color instructions for both assembly and markings.
Crisp injection molding with almost no flash. Engraved panel lines and access panels.
Pilot figures, with optional arms for flying or resting crew members.
Optional parts for 2-seat F-models and single seat E-model jets. Control columns for both versions, even though the rear F-model cockpit doesn't have one.
Scrupulously clear canopy parts for single and 2-seat Egg-Hornets. Canopy open or closed options for both versions
Nose landing gear options for extended or retracted catapult launch bar. Hinged tail hook.
The decals are friggin' AMAZING! In register and opaque. These are a DREAM to apply and respond to Solv-a-set like a champ.
Markings for 2 other USMC aggressor airplanes are also included. No pilot helmet art is included in the kit decals.
Now you know.
I'm not quite finished with this yet, but it should be ready for the Blackhawks show in Mount Pleasant next weekend.
Rhino
Super Moderator
Rick is looking over the burner cans. Alclad gunmetal with Alclad steel misted from front to back. A swiping of pencil lead powder and metalizer sealer. They are a little dark, but I like them.
Done! I must rethink my main gear door strategy. I keep bumping them and knocking them off. A fun build of a silly model!
Thanks for playing along!
