GB-44 1/72 CF-18 - Military A/C of post-war time

[vandee]

Username-vandee
Name-John
Category-Intermediate
Kit-HobbyCraft CF-18
Scale-1/72
Accessories-Canuk Decals CF-188 FIP markings

This will be pretty much OOB except for the Canuk decals and the kit does not include
LEX fences. I have a set of Hasegawa LEX fences from a previous build to use. I also
have to add my own spot light as the kit does not provide that either, I will scratch
build that easy enough.- John

 

[vandee]

A very weak start. I have the seat painted. It needs help so I am going to try to
make some tape seat belts.- John

 

[fubar57]

At least you get to start. I'm still 7 days away from starting

 

[Donivanp]

Jump in and get'er going

 

[Wurger]

 

[vandee]

A little better, Tamiya tape harnesses.- John

 

[N4521U]

Never could grasp tape harnesses!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice choice.

 

[Jeff Hunt]

Looking good so far.

 

[Wayne Little]

Good start.

 

[vandee]

Thanks. I have figured a new way to build this. It is not a typical model with general instructions.
It seems to be more of a puzzle. They show parts going on but when you try to make it look like
"the picture" it doesn't seem quite right. Also it shows decals for the instrument panel and side consoles.
There are none on the decal sheet. I lucked out and had an old set of Hasegawa decals with the instrument
panel and side consoles which I cut to fit. It's all coming back to me, I had similar problems when I built my
first HobbyCraft F-86. After the 3rd one I knew exactly what to do, avoid the instructions at all cost!- John

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff.
I think HC use spaced-out illiterate failed artists to draw their instruction sheets. I've seen some where the parts are shown the wrong way around, and in the wrong place !

 

[vandee]

Thanks, I have the fuselage halves together, puttied and sanded. Now to add some weight in the forward fuselage then
add the rear deck and instrument panel. It looks like the rear deck may need some clamping.- John

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

That's a fair fit issue. I'd suggest dry-fitting the canopy before clamping the deck to see if the problem is not that that the fuselage is too narrow. If it is, the solution may be to force the fuselage apart a bit with a chunk of sprue glued inside, though the cockpit is kinda in the way.

 

[vandee]

OK. I kinda wished I had waited a bit, this just came in the post today. Would have been a much
easier build than the HobbyCraft kit. So much for hindsight.- John

 

[Gnomey]

Good work so far!

 

[Crimea_River]

You can always switch. Or do both!