I
got this 1:18 scale F/A-18C from the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
I knew this was due to be released and when I saw it on the shelf, knew
it was a required purchase.
After taking it out of the box, I was rather impressed by the Paint
scheme, weathering and the grand scale of this toy.
Always one for detail and functionality I knew that some upgrades were to
be made.
I just didn’t realize how far I would take it.
I saw Eric Lowe’s article about his F/A-18 antenna upgrades and he
emailed me back suggesting that I too submit an article on my modifications.
Upon
further review, I noticed that landing gear doors were given a basic
simplified treatment – After all, this was meant as a Kid’s toy and
not necessarily one meant for the Smithsonian!
After adding the UHF Antennas and Pitot Tubes, I went to work on
both the Front and Rear Landing gear doors.
The rear door was a One Piece item and I split it down the middle
to make the outboard door.
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The
next modifications included adding a retractable Refueling Probe, a deployable
Speed Brake, A stowable Boarding Ladder, and working Canopy Actuator.
Minor
mods involved porting out the Flare Dispensers and the M61A1 Nozzle Port.
Both
Vertical and Horizontal stabilizers are operable.
In
the Weapons Department, I custom built 2 GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs just in case
the neighbors start acting hostile – Just Kidding! The Sidewinder Missiles
were permanently molded to the rails so I made them detachable.
Lastly,
I had to add a Ground Crew for the plane.
They were modified from the bbi Navy SEAL RTO (Radio Telephone Operator)
Rob
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