Ultra Hornet

[utahbob]

I am thinking of kitbashing this, starting next month after the local hobby shop has its 30% off sale. I was debating the merits of sticking with the F/A-18's F414 engines or upgrading to the F-35's F-35 engine. I really don't want to purchase two F-35 kits, just to get the exhaust cans and possibly modify the aft end of a 1/48 scale F/A-18 to accept those cans.  Does anybody know if you can purchase the exhaust nozzle separately?

[philp]

Hey, you made a Bug that I actually like.

[PR19_Kit]

How about pushing the engines father apart.  That would give you more room for a longer weapons bay.

....and would make it even more like a modern day Vigilante. 

[Julhelm]

Yeah it's an idea. Haven't had time to work on this lately but I'd love to see people do their own take on the concept.

[Julhelm]

[perttime]

(picture)

That looks good!

I'd just give the crew a totally transparent canopy.

[Julhelm]

Nah, I dunno. The FB-23 concept doesn't use one, and I think it just looks sleeker and faster with Vigilante-style canopies

[NARSES2]

Looks good with those canopies, says my old fashioned brain 

[PR19_Kit]

Looks brill to me as it is, specially with those bi-slanted intakes. 

[Julhelm]

Ran into some trouble now that I was going to test-fit my landing gear. It's tight but at the same time massive waste of space.

[utahbob]

I just picked up a 1/48 Super Hornet, Vigilantes are hard to find locally and the one I did find was pretty pricy. I thinking of modifying the 1/48 bugs air intakes or an F-22, not sure.   Now I am trying to figure out how to fabricate the nose and cockpit canopies. I think I will have to scratch build the nose, and I am looking at different fighters to modify the clear canopies. Any suggestions?

[craigdwpa]

I just picked up a 1/48 Super Hornet, Vigilantes are hard to find locally and the one I did find was pretty pricy. I thinking of modifying the 1/48 bugs air intakes or an F-22, not sure.   Now I am trying to figure out how to fabricate the nose and cockpit canopies. I think I will have to scratch build the nose, and I am looking at different fighters to modify the clear canopies. Any suggestions?

F-106 with a blackbird rear canopy?

[craigdwpa]

can i get a view of the under side

[Tophe]

(picture)

That looks good!

I'd just give the crew a totally transparent canopy.

I agree that looks good, but I disagree for the canopy: this one is very pleasant.

[Julhelm]

Here's the underside. You can see the layout of the weapons and gear bays. As of now, no secondary bays for IRMs are planned. An idea would be to have AIM-9X mounted on the inside of the door.