Model Forum / General / Models / August 2005

Well...I got one, and there are positives and negatives as usual.  But I
think the positives take the day on balance...

On the plus side:

1) Nice very fine panel lines - the usual Hasegawa quality.

2) Well shaped external tanks.

3) Centerline pylon is properly shaped (wasn't on the 1/72 kit).

4) The side vents on the intakes are open - no need to get the file out.

5) The kit seats actually don't look too bad.

6) Full length intake trunks.

7) Not quite the latest config, but an accurate representation of the
ECS heat exchanger exhausts as of initial FRP, with flow fences.

8) ECS Aux Air scoops corrected from the 1/72 kit.  Properly done now.

9) LEX Vents still there; in the closed position - as they should be.
(The builder should probably scribe the line a bit deeper, though.)

10) Control stick stub for aft cockpit.

11) Separate flying surfaces.  (and now I see why it looked like there
were two sets of tails included...)

12) Contrary to my previous opinion, the photo pamplet is nicely done -
and includes a nice shot of the paint on the lower intake lip.

On the NEGATIVE side:

1) The kit's biggest flaw - the engine nozzles are nearly the same
size/diameter as the ones in my Hasegawa baby-Hornet kits.  This is
WRONG...the F-414 is a noticably larger diameter engine than the F-404,
so this would imply that the contour of the whole aft end of the kit is
a bit off.  Noticeable?..probably, if you park this kit next to an A-D
kit and know what you're looking at.  NOTE: anyone planning a 1/32 E/F
kit...take notes.  And better measurements...

2) The kit's second biggest flaw.  While the main gear seem to be nicely
represented, with the proper planing links for E/F gear vice A-D ones,
the main wheels are the same or near the same size as in my D kit.
Wrong - Super Hornet main wheels are larger.  Noticeably so when sitting
side by side with an A-D wheel assembly.  Another problem with the mains
is that there is too much tire and not enough hub - readily apparent
from looking at the included pictures.  (The nose wheels are probably
undersized as well, but I didn't check.)  The main gear shock absorbers
are a bit strange looking as well...not to mention that I got METAL gear
in my C and D kits for the same price...

3) Strange raised square shape under the L/H canopy sill.  Later jets
have a stowable grab handle here, but it's flush when stowed (and it's
visible in the pictures).  Should be an engraved detail...no detail for
the handle in any event - just the raised square.

4) No option for alternate aft cockpit configurations - even though the
VFA-103 jet in the picture book is of the later configuration with the
UFCD located on top of the (newer) glareshield, only the original LRIP
missionized configuration - which is the way the VFA-102 jets in the
photos are configured - is provided in the kit parts.

5) ALE-50 magazine not represented...funny, as it's nicely done on the
1/72 kit.

6) Shape of the forward cockpit glareshield - much better done on the D kit.

7) Erosion boots not represented on External Tanks.

8) No optional parts for post Phase II Upgrade ECS Heat Exchanger exhausts.

9) Size...I dunno.  Maybe I spend too much time on the flightline, or
it's just the way the two kits look in the box, but I don't get the
impression of the difference in size that I get when a C and an F are
parked next to each other in real life...if you have ever have walked up
to a Super Hornet the first thing that grabs you is it's size.  I don't
get that feeling looking at the two kits side by side...the boxes are
the same size...maybe once the kits are built.

SO...am I pleased?  Overall, yes...but I'd have to say that this kit is
certainly not as good as Hasegawa's offerings for F/A-18A-D jets - these
kits remain the best Hornets kits out there in 1/48, IMO.

Will I buy Hasegawa's E kit?  Probably not...I'm a two-seat fan these
days anyway.

That's it for now.  Bring on the aftermarket...