Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32 F-18A Super Detailed Cockpit

Product # CEC32119 for $31.99 for Academy kit

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Nov 21 2003

 

 

 

This is one of the many 1/32 F-18 resin goodies from Cutting Edge Modelworks to spruce up the cockpit on the Academy F/A-18C.  This particular cockpit set is designed for the F/A-18A and contains 40 items.  The vast bulk of the items are made of resin, but there are also a variety of items from display terminal paint masks to wire mesh to cover the "hell hole" behind the seat.  There are also 2 clear parts for the instrument panels.  You'll use clear paints and the Black magic painting masks to get the video display terminals looking ultra realistic. 

Anyhow.....on to the parts.

First up in any cockpit is the tub itself.  As you know, the Academy F/A-18C has a 2 seat cockpit tub.  This will permit the release of possibly B and/or  D models in the future.  This resin tub is for the "A" model tub.  

The side console detail is highly defined on this Cutting Edge Modelworks resin cockpit set with great looking raised switches instead of the muted switches in the Academy kit.  Dials and switches etc are stunningly cast....the work to get detail like this is simply impressive.  There are 2 panels that you'll have to pick one and glue it to the right side panel.  One panel is for the AMARC and the other panel is for the non-AMARC panel....refer to your reference photos to decide which panel to use.

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The 2 seat Academy Tub is designed so for the C (and A models) you cover up the rear cockpit tub with a part that also fully covers over the "hell hole" behind the pilot's seat.  There are some resin detail parts in this set to glue into the hell hole to get the interior of it properly detailed.  
On this Cutting Edge Modelworks cockpit tub the hell hole has a thin resin membrane that you cut to expose the "Hell Hole".  This thin membrane will take only a few seconds to remove with an X-Acto knife.  The hell hole is a lovely piece of resin work.....great highly defined detail on all 4 sides....how they can cast this in one piece is beyond my understanding.  There is also a metal screen you can use to cover the "hell hole".  On the real jet this "screen" is a cloth netting material that 

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is usually ripped and quite messed up.  Making up your own tattered mesh would probably be more accurate that using the screen included in this cockpit set.  But at least the screen is included to give you more options.  A highly skilled person might be able to work this screen to resemble the tattered "hell Hole" mesh covering.  The instructions suggest you only attach the screen on one side and drape it into the hell hole box......this idea sounds like it might work and look pretty good, but you'll have to experiment with it.

Every cockpit needs a seat.  This set includes a seat that is sure to look fantastic when painted.  The Academy kit seats are simply lacking in all important detail.  This resin seat is a thing of beauty.

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The instrument panel is a real switch and improvement from the usual resin instrument panel.  It's made from some sort of crystal clear resin.  

Also included are Black Magic painting masks for each video display and other parts of the instrument panel.  Also included is an acetate piece with various gauges.

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Side wall detail is quite nice and accurate and the canopy rail part is loaded with detail.

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Hell hole detail items Center Console Various tiny detail items.

There are 2 pages of detailed instructions that cover all aspects of installing the various parts.  The instructions cover all the tiny steps involved in installing this resin set.  The 1/32 Academy F/A-18C is a wonderful kit, but it's cockpit leaves much to be desired to say the least.  A highly detailed resin cockpit can make all the difference in improving the look of the finished model....especially in 1/32 scale.  This particular set from Cutting Edge Modelworks is full of crisp realistic detail.  I highly recommend this cockpit set for anyone building a 1/32 Academy F/A-18C into an F-18A.  Also remember there are a few external fuselage antennas on the F-18C that need to removed to make an F-18A.

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I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford