Caf Cf-18, 1/48 the "Best" kit

I am not really into 1/48 F-18.

A couple of years ago, the owner of Leading Edge sold me all his limited edition 1/48 CF-18 decals.

I think they're 8 sets altogether.

Once a while I love to take out from the folder and look at them.
So was the thought to build them.

I would like what is the best kit in the market for 1/48 CAF CF-18.
Also if I need any up market part for this recommended kit.

Thank for your help in advance.

The best kit would be Hasegawa. Any of their F/A-18A or CF-188 boxing would be good. The problem is that Hasegawa's F/A-18As are OOP and can be quite expensive to acquire. Fit is ok, good details and accuracy for an -18A. You get metal undercarriage and poseable flaps.

The other alternative is the HobbyBoss F/A-18A. Much cheaper than the Hase kit and, more importantly, much easier to find. There are some fit problems and a few inaccuracies to address but overall builds up into a nice model of a Hornet. Flaps are separate but you only get to build them in the 'up' position. The one thing that stopped me from buying more is the fact that HobbyBoss separated the canopy from its framing.

Kim Wong, for your precious "Limited-Edition" collection... Could try the Hasegawa A/C Series Hornet. It does come with the Canadian Version of "Escort-Light". I've built the Hase Hornet with Flight-dec Tigermeet and its a "nice" kit actually although a bit pricey.

For Acad n Hobby-boss Hornet 1/48th, I've got no idea.... I've only built 2 x 1/32nd Acad D and 1 x C Hornet.

mej®

Here is my dilemma.
I am not into 1/48 scale.
However, very sayang not to build these Leading Edge decals.
So I either get rid of the decals or build the model.

To build them, I need to get 10 kits.
(Actually. they're 10 decals in the whole limited edition collection)

If that the case I need to make a decision to stock pile these kits.
Or if susah susah, then I will sell off the decals!

Anyway. thanks Aidy and hashaney for the best 1/48 kit for the CAF-18.

Aidy> Need to confirm here. Are these kits you are referring to?

HobbyBoss 1/48 F-18A
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=HB-80320

Hasegawa 1/48 F-18A
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=HSG%2007025

Hashaney> Which is the Hasegawa F-18 A/C kit that comes with the "escort-light"?
Boleh tolong cari the link for me?
BTW, have I shown you the decals from LED?

Mr Mig

I've built the Hobby Boss F-18 before. Didn't like the inaccuracies. The arrestor hook made me cry (of horror).

If i were you either get a better Hasegawa kit or go for the cheapest (italeri/testor) F-18. Hobby boss is too expensive to be a lousy kit and too lousy to be an expensive kit.

So dont waste your decal on it.

Just my 0.02

All of the Hasegawa 1/48 F/A-18's include the lens for the night intercept search light on the clear sprue.

If you look inside the left nose halve, you can see the search light shape embossed there. You need to breakthrough the embossed section, and insert the clear lens.

Hobbyboss also includes the search light.

Kim Wong, all Hase 1/48th Legacy Hornet comes with the Canadian escort light. you only need to drill the hole and use part L11. Here the link of Hase CF-188A from Hobbysearch. Click me

mej®

Poopeh>f-4dablemodels>hashaney>Thanks for the info and feedback.

Ooh...that spot light thing.
Yeah....I remember the Academy has it on its 1/32 F-18C kitt too.
Like Jason said you have to do the same here.

Look like I have to go for the Hasegawa kit.
I understand Hasegawa released the following kits in 1/48:

* F/A-18A
* F/A-18B
* F/A-18C
* F/A-18D
* CF-18A/CF-188A
* CF-18B/CF-188B

Major>The 1/48th Legacy Hornet you're referring, I supposed they're special edition kits with CAF decals for the below?
* CF-18A/CF-188A
* CF-18B/CF-188B

That is going to be very susah and impossible to get 10 kits at a go now.

So guys confirm that I should only get the Hasegawa F/A-18A.
It can be either the Navy or Marine version, right?

So far a search on the net, only luckymodel has the Marine F-18A on sales.
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=HSG%2007025

Miggy, it's not that difficult to get hold of Hase's Hornet actually, external appearance of the A/C Legacy Hornet is not that prominent becoz if I'm not mistaken only the internal been upgrade in the Cs and also most Canadian's "A" Hornet are been upgrade to "C" configuration. Can Jason confirm on this?

Meaning, you can get any Hase's 1/48th "C" regardless its a Marine or Navy Hornet to turn into CF-188A.

Only that I can foresee is, the hassle of you to get 10 Hase Hornet in "one-shot" and this is quite pricey. Your are right, Hase has released a couple of "special" Canadian scheme...

mej®

The CAF jets have been upgraded, but not to C standard (I think).

Anyway, hashaney is correct.

The only sprue that is different between the Hasegawa A & C Hornets is the sprue with the vertical tails, and the RH nose landing gear door. Everything else is the same.

The vertical tails differ in the number and shape of the bullet fairings/blisters above the rudder. I suppose you can modify a C tail to the A tail.

Apart from the vertical tails, you just need to leave off the C & D specific items, which are just the various antenna blisters.

Forget about the Hobbyboss kit. Their A model tail is representative of the very early production A model, and the shape of the top edge of the fin is a bit funky.

A lot of those colourful LE CAF Hornet decals have practically the whole tail draped over by a decal, which may be sized for a specific kit.

I don't know if LE actually tells you what is the recommended kit, or which kit the decal has been designed to fit, so this is clearly a factor to consider as well.

Last night, I opened 2 of the sealed decals and to my surprise LE did not recommend or specify which kit is meant for their decal. I assumed back in 1998 - 2004, only the Hasegawa kit was available then. So I assume LE designed the decal for Hasegawa kit.

Anyway, over the weekend I did some research on F-18A and F-18C.

Basically, their share the same body except F-18C has been upgraded with new ejection seat and Radar plus etc.

And Canadian aircraft are virtually standard F-18As, except in being fitted with a spotlight on the port side of the nose (for identifying aircraft during night intercepts), a new ILS and in having provision for the carriage of LAU-5003 rocket pods.

Unlike the RAAF F-18As which were updated to F/A-18C, the CAF F-18s remain the same for this reason:

"The previous Chief of Air Staff has been quoted as saying that Canada could conceivably "cash in" the 126 surviving CF-188s and CF-188Bs and, with the money available for the CF-188 life extension programme, buy between 20 and 30 Es and Fs".


So Major, my safer bet is to get the Hasegawa Navy F-18A or Marine F-18A, I think.

You're right, not main main to get 10 kits for these LE decals lah

While reading up on the F-18, came across the F-18L (land based version), which was supposed to be built by Northrop while Boeing build the naval version.

Very surprise to know that the YF-17 (later F-18) was designed by Northrop and later Boeing took over and put the Northrop version (F-18L) out of business.

Dod eats dog world out there!

Here is the problem for me.
What to do with these LE decals.

Hi mig, may I suggest the Italeri F/A-18A kit number 827. this kit allow you to build the autralian, US, swiss & canadian version. Also its has complete parts to make it a twin seater hornet. Fitting wise very bad, details ok ok only. If you have the mulah just go for the hase kits. Anyway bought this kit as a challenge to me back then.

Just my 2 cents

Cheerssssss........mate

William S. Lee

Hi William,

Thanks for the new info.
I've checked out the Italeri F/A-18A kit #827.

http://www.flevoaviationhobby.net/images/k...827/ita827.html

Look interesting.
Anyone else has tried this kit?