This
is my first aircraft kit after so many years building armour and also pension
from my military service with Malaysian Army. The reason for building this
aircraft was kind of "feeling" towards TUDM owned aircraft. As a pilot
project, I have chosen Academy 12103 1/32nd scale F/A 18D "Night
Attack". Although it is quite expensive, due to my eye constraint and with
lots of positive reviews about how detailed, accuracy and simplicity about this
kit, I took my chance to build it and it took me three weeks to complete this
magnificent bird.
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During
the progress work, some minor filling and sanding had to be done especially on
the engine nacelle joint, LERX and the rest of the kit joint match perfectly.
I
would like to thank Academy for such an engineering work which keeps modeler headaches to
a minimum. Surface detail is excellent. Some aftermarket parts are used to
depict actual TUDMs' Hornet and its a must. I used F-4dablemodels R32001 Dual
Chaff Dispenser with Main Landing Gear Door Extension, Fishbone LERX Vent, Dome
type GPS Antennae which is similar to late production Hornet D.
All
this is in one package.
Decals
used are also from F-4dablemodels which of type B Export Bugs.
Colour
used throughout the process was of lacquer type Gunze-Sanyo for overall, Humbrol
Enamel paint for hand brush and weathering, Future for pre-decaling and Model
Master Semi Gloss for final coating.
Happy
51th Merdeka Day
Malaysia
.
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images below to see larger images
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