1/32 TUDMs' Maritime Strike Aircraft

by Mej(B) Wan Hashim bin Wan Ahmad

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Malaysia 51th Merdeka Day 2008

 

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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Photos and text © by Mej(B) Wan Hashim