1

Everett McEwan
zero votes

I scratchtbuilt parts and modified the kit (cut flaps, slats, and rudders) and used decals from someone else (can't remember now). 

2

Al Petrie

six votes

Operation MARX

Designed as a rescue vehicle capable of reaching low Earth orbit, the HARPO orbiter would be carried to high altitude by the combined might of 4 GE-404 engines in a pair of stripped-down F/A-18's. 

3

John Chung  Age 16

nine votes

XD-207

The XD-207 (Experimental Demonstrator # 207 ) is a concept design of a model transformer. Normally these numbers and letters were given to my 3D paper
airplanes but in this case I have decided to make an exception. The project is simple, cut, cut and cut. Almost every aspect of the original F-18 hornet kit have been modified. The idea came when I needed something that is really different from the F-18 model, and I thought I will challenge my self with this idea. As it turned out, the project is much, much more complicated than I thought, and I have almost been redesigning the craft throughout the entire construction phase, but the main outline of the original design has been maintained. I used A LOT of sheet styrene throughout the entire project, scratch building pretty much the entire aft fuselage (leg) parts, and the arms were 100% scratch built as well. The only humanoid parts that I have salvaged from other kits were the head and the two fists, which I took from a 1/100 gundam and patlabor kit. Other parts used were the spine fuel tank and the FLIR pod embedded in to the wing which were from the 1/48 RM Rafale kit, the AGM-145 on the wing tips were from Hasegawa 1/48 weapon set, the landing gear and wheels were from Monogram 1/48 A-6 kit (thanks to Scott Murphy!) I have also scratch built 100% of the cockpit tub and seat as well as many other stuff that I will talk about in the up and coming full-build write up. Moveable parts were achieved by spare poly parts from gundam kits and many scratched mechanism consisting of rod from sprue and ring from sheet styrene, a few other design ideas were also utilized to achieve the moving mechanisms. Paints used were Gunze and Tamiya acrylics, all the markings have been masked with Tamiya masking take and sprayed, the dragon and phoenix were also masked and sprayed and then details picked out with a brush. There are many more to this project but I'll leave them to the write up.

4

Al Petrie

zero votes

Northrop-Grumman Trident

Using the F-18 as a basis, NG designed a lightweight agile fighter with FSW technology.  Unfortunately, only Bahrain and Upper Yours placed orders for the plane. 

6

Al Petrie

seven votes

F/U-2 EH

Originally designed to intercept U-2 overflights, these planes are now being used by CSIS (Canadian version of CIA/FBI) and Revenue Canada to monitor Canadians as they go about their daily concerns.

Dave Stein

five votes

True Details seat
Cutting Edge flaps
Twobobs decals
Scratchbuilt "Soviet" intake covers
Scratchbuilt ACMI pod
Xtracolor-Humbrol-Testors enamels, acrylics and metalizers-Some custom mixed paint

Al Petrie

five votes

SEA F-18

Designed to take advantage of Canada's extensive coastlines, the Sea F-18 can be based anywhere the fishing is good!

Al Petrie

two votes

Bombardier-Dassault AF-III Donatello

After the separation from Canada, Quebec turned to France for weapon upgrades.  Utilising the fuselage of the CF-188 and the delta wing design of the Mirage series aircraft, the AF-111 Donatello was first seen in action in the Goose Bay Incident.

Tim Grissette

four votes

F-18 Fulcrum


It is an A model retrofitted with LEX Fences, and is painted in a two tone Tan and Brown for the TOP GUN Aggressor aircraft. The only aftermarket parts used, are a True Details seat, and decals from Super Scale.

12

Vince Maddux 

twenty three votes

Now, if I beat Dan's Mon-key at this I'll be happy :)

13

Eric McCann

five votes

Wins Leading Edge 1/48 70th anniversary decal sheet. 

Note from Steve B...after the voting was complete I carefully examines the official IPMS rules and in my opinion this model is the only true out of the box entry in this contest

I couldn't recall, was it "out of box," or "on the box?"  Well, this fits either way.  I was going to build it with the "Gunslingers" aircraft (serving on the carrier my brother did,) but as I usually gripe, the hobby shop in town here really isn't worth the name.  With time getting short, I got creative - "what if" the USN hadn't gotten rid of the tri-color scheme used in WWII?  The Hornet's an interesting canvas for this scheme.

Kit decals used.  The sidewinders in my kit were warped ("off axis" aiming?) so they're not on.... but of course I added the drop tank!

14

Rich Herron
twenty four votes

Wins Leading Edge 1/48 70th anniversary decal sheet. 

Note from Steve B...as I should not have placed this entry or entry #12 in this category I accept full responsibility and will award this entrant a prize from myself.  The winner in category #1 got 30 votes and it does not appear the outcome in that category would not have changed.

The only thing I did to the model was drop the ailerons and rudders. Also I added aeromaster decals from the U.S.S. Coral Sea. This is the
first model I assembled after being stationed in Germany a few months ago, had a blast!