As a former F-14 squadron member with 4 carrier deployments, I think you nailed the “cruise weariness” that all US Naval Aviation aircraft suffer while underway after an extended time. Nice job!
Nice video! Thanks for showing the struggle bits, always a bit reassuring it’s not just me fighting parts to fit. And the touch up painting and grime really make it look like an operational Navy aircraft.
Thanks Bryan! I try to be honest with my builds. If I’m having issues, I want others to know it as well. I may save them time or they may have a solution. I only found one video of the -18E and the dude basically says “it’s an awesome kit!” Which doesn’t help at all
Great work! Really like the painting techniques you use, I’ve been trying something similar on more recent models, starting the weathering in the paining stages. Keep up the good work!
That’s exactly what I do. Keep trying and see where it goes. Oils have been the big learning curve for me. But it’s also a very powerful medium to use.
This looks incredible - one of my pet peeves when it comes to weathering contemporary aircraft is when the subtle variation in color is too soft and air-brushy, you've absolutely nailed the underlying sharpness to the subtle transitions. Kudos!
awesome work mate! The F18 is one of the sleekest jets out there and you've nailed it! There is something so awesome about weathered carrier fighters they have such a character about them
Awesome build. I have watched your video several times to see how you achieved the finishes. Excellent work. I plan to build the Meng and Hobby Boss kits.
I love the f-18. Very loud jet. But when it comes to scale sizes, I prefer the 32d scale. Although I wish there could be more detail on the 32d kits just like the 48th. Its been awhile since I did a 48 scale. I think I'm missing out. The super hornet you did is incredible. Outstanding modeling. Keep up the good work my friend.
I really enjoy your videos and find them very informative. During your build of the Meng F/A-18F, you mentioned the difficulty bringing the top and bottom fuselage halves together. At the 2:36 point in the video, I noticed that one of the locating pins was gone (broken?) on the bottom fuselage half. Could this have caused the problems you were having fitting the halves together? Outstanding video, keep them coming. - Kris
This is a kit i want to pickup, glad i was able to see someone give it a good proper review while building, telling pain points. I think I'll end up seeing if Quinta Studios has their decals for the cockpit and go that route versus a rather dull offering it seems meng offered.
@@michaeljenner9906 the panel lines are not consistent on the Hasegawa one and there is just as much clean up. Details on the Meng one are a lot better
Truly loved the video and really like how you made it a review at the same time...also very nice result!!! I have started for about a year and I’m almost finishing my third model and only building 1/72 for now...1/48 looks great detail Wise but I just don’t have the space to display them unfortunately...maybe in my next home :)
Great work, but I couldn’t disagree more with your analysis of the Meng Superbug. I found it so enjoyable to build I bought 4 more, 3 EA-18G’s and an F. It’s not a Tamiya, but it’s very good!
Nicely done. I have both the Hasegawa, Hobby Boss , Meng, Revel, italieri and Meng F/A 18. I'm working on a Hasegawa RAAF F/A 18A 77sqd anniversary model. Nice been fun so far. If you want a fun one to build try the italieri F/A18 E or G , can't remember which.
On this model because of the thick decals, it was glossed after the decals were on. Then sanded down flush and glossed with flat clear. Then oils and weathering. I usually don't lock everything down at the end with a gloss.
@@TheModelGuy I did not know that it was a re-box. I have yet to build a 1/32 scale jet... pretty much all 1/32 and 1/48 wwII planes. Currently working on Tamiya's 1/32 scale zero with the eduard big-ed set for it.
Hi from Oz. The RAAF would be horrified if our jets looked like your model! Of course being land based, they get the best. I love your treatment of a well-used jet.
@The Model Guy, would you recommend this kit if its 31% off? Currently can get it for 54.99 as oppose to 79.99 and I've heard mixed reviews. Only thing I have ever built of Mengs was there ZSU-23-4 Shilka and it was a beast of a kit
Hi, I want to start recording my builds, would you mind telling me your setup for recording? I'm thinking on buying a tripod and using my phone. Thanks!
@@TheModelGuy what kind of stand? How tall is it? I would like to make a single buy and have something that lasts for a long time. The ones with the highest scores are of 23cm tall.
I try to steer away from current politics on my channel (I am a reservist and can get in trouble) but my understanding is a company who opened a trade complaint against Canada could not compete. That ties in to the Q400 fiasco
@@TheModelGuy No problem. It was meant in humor only. I understand your position. Spent 5 years in the Canadian Army Reserve then 5 years in the Canadian Air Force.
Very nice model :) I have a question for you, can I make a stock of sprue glue, or it will evaporate after a few weeks, and it will become like normal plastic in the jar?
The cockpit decals for this kit sucked so bad! It looks awful I’m just going to stripped all the paint and decals and paint brush them on… I obviously put down that comment before reaching the part of the video where you mention the decals…
I wish Tamiya would release both F/A-18 families and F-5Es with the same quality that the latest F-14, F-4B, P-38, Spitfire, etc. In not time all these meng, Kinetic, AFV will be out of the business. I can't understand with now adays technologies, and engneering we still see this horrible assembly having th sand and rescribe for hours to make this model look decent.
As a former F-14 squadron member with 4 carrier deployments, I think you nailed the “cruise weariness” that all US Naval Aviation aircraft suffer while underway after an extended time. Nice job!
I need to screen cap this and show it to the dudes claiming “no crew chief/plane captain would let their aircraft get that filthy”
Really nice and PERFECT finish of my favorite jet! What a great weathering! Thanks for sharing!!! Cheers!
Nice video! Thanks for showing the struggle bits, always a bit reassuring it’s not just me fighting parts to fit. And the touch up painting and grime really make it look like an operational Navy aircraft.
Thanks Bryan! I try to be honest with my builds. If I’m having issues, I want others to know it as well. I may save them time or they may have a solution. I only found one video of the -18E and the dude basically says “it’s an awesome kit!” Which doesn’t help at all
@@TheModelGuy that honesty is appreciated as is seeing or hearing how you resolved the issue.
Great work! Really like the painting techniques you use, I’ve been trying something similar on more recent models, starting the weathering in the paining stages. Keep up the good work!
That’s exactly what I do. Keep trying and see where it goes. Oils have been the big learning curve for me. But it’s also a very powerful medium to use.
*Nice paint with easy tricks for the weathering, your Super Hornet is wonderful!*
Thanks dude! Navy Aircraft lend themselves to weathering so well :)
This looks incredible - one of my pet peeves when it comes to weathering contemporary aircraft is when the subtle variation in color is too soft and air-brushy, you've absolutely nailed the underlying sharpness to the subtle transitions. Kudos!
Or when it looks like tartan from all the preshading right? :)
awesome work mate! The F18 is one of the sleekest jets out there and you've nailed it! There is something so awesome about weathered carrier fighters they have such a character about them
Really nicely done! Thanks for taking us through the weathering and rendering stages!
I got a kinetic hornet in the stash, watching your video only gives me inspiration to start mine, great video and amazing work on that hornet.
I did their -18 two years ago on the channel. The intakes are a challenger and the closing of the fuselage halves. Nose is an issue too
@@TheModelGuy will definitely check the video, thanks!
Awesome build! I Enjoy this video 😎👍🏾
Awesome build. I have watched your video several times to see how you achieved the finishes. Excellent work. I plan to build the Meng and Hobby Boss kits.
I always love your videos, the format works really well as you talk through the process. Great looking model
Thanks George!
Hey Robbie, thanks for the video man & also the 'heads up' on what to look out for when tackling this kit.
Nice work on this one looking forward to your next one well done 👍👍
Well done! Looks great! Definitely one of your best 👍👍😁
Thanks bud :) It’s definitely not the last Navy aircraft I’ll do
Wait-Sponge Bob Sqaure Pants Graphics? Greatest Channel Ever 😂😂😂
Man, love the paint job!
Another fantastic video.
Awesome job man looks amazing
I love the f-18. Very loud jet. But when it comes to scale sizes, I prefer the 32d scale. Although I wish there could be more detail on the 32d kits just like the 48th. Its been awhile since I did a 48 scale. I think I'm missing out. The super hornet you did is incredible. Outstanding modeling. Keep up the good work my friend.
Thanks Michael! I have an Academy Legacy Hornet for later next year
Another great video 👍🏻
I really enjoy your videos and find them very informative. During your build of the Meng F/A-18F, you mentioned the difficulty bringing the top and bottom fuselage halves together. At the 2:36 point in the video, I noticed that one of the locating pins was gone (broken?) on the bottom fuselage half. Could this have caused the problems you were having fitting the halves together? Outstanding video, keep them coming. - Kris
I removed that pin to get a better fit
This is a kit i want to pickup, glad i was able to see someone give it a good proper review while building, telling pain points. I think I'll end up seeing if Quinta Studios has their decals for the cockpit and go that route versus a rather dull offering it seems meng offered.
Thanks Moose! At the time of building this Quina hadn’t released it yet. It would definitely make the kit pop
The Hasegawa kit works just fine. For the E model as well. Just a heads up.
@@michaeljenner9906 the panel lines are not consistent on the Hasegawa one and there is just as much clean up. Details on the Meng one are a lot better
Truly loved the video and really like how you made it a review at the same time...also very nice result!!! I have started for about a year and I’m almost finishing my third model and only building 1/72 for now...1/48 looks great detail
Wise but I just don’t have the space to display them unfortunately...maybe in my next home :)
I’m about to venture into my first 1/72 kit…not sure how my big mechanic hands are going to cope
@@TheModelGuy I have big hands as well so I think you’ll be fine
Great work, but I couldn’t disagree more with your analysis of the Meng Superbug. I found it so enjoyable to build I bought 4 more, 3 EA-18G’s and an F. It’s not a Tamiya, but it’s very good!
Nicely done. I have both the Hasegawa, Hobby Boss , Meng, Revel, italieri and Meng F/A 18. I'm working on a Hasegawa RAAF F/A 18A 77sqd anniversary model. Nice been fun so far. If you want a fun one to build try the italieri F/A18 E or G , can't remember which.
That's a great job. I can never get the weathering to a tee. I'm not that good at it. But your fa-18f looks awesome.
I'd love to see an in-depth painting tutorial from ya!
That’s a good idea. I can share my process for sure.
Incredible build well done,what varnish are you using between your weathering stages
On this model because of the thick decals, it was glossed after the decals were on. Then sanded down flush and glossed with flat clear. Then oils and weathering. I usually don't lock everything down at the end with a gloss.
@@TheModelGuy thank you very much very helpful 👍
Sprue-goooooooo lol. Great video, thank you!
Haha thanks
@@TheModelGuy revell's F/A-18E skill 5 looks decent as well. I have it, yet to build it.
@@scalemodeling7407 that's a rebox of their old 1/48 kit. The new 1/32 kit has had some poor reviews from guys I've talked with
@@TheModelGuy I did not know that it was a re-box. I have yet to build a 1/32 scale jet... pretty much all 1/32 and 1/48 wwII planes. Currently working on Tamiya's 1/32 scale zero with the eduard big-ed set for it.
Hi from Oz. The RAAF would be horrified if our jets looked like your model! Of course being land based, they get the best. I love your treatment of a well-used jet.
I think the Australian ones still have the new car smell :)
The Canadian Bugs are land based too...but look just as rough.
@The Model Guy, would you recommend this kit if its 31% off? Currently can get it for 54.99 as oppose to 79.99 and I've heard mixed reviews. Only thing I have ever built of Mengs was there ZSU-23-4 Shilka and it was a beast of a kit
Definitely, that’s a deal for sure.
@@TheModelGuy appreciate it man. Def a cool kit, thanks man!
Hi, I want to start recording my builds, would you mind telling me your setup for recording? I'm thinking on buying a tripod and using my phone.
Thanks!
I use my pixle 3 phone which is nice because it takes up minimal space. I use a stand to hold it and edit with Sony Vegas.
@@TheModelGuy what kind of stand? How tall is it? I would like to make a single buy and have something that lasts for a long time. The ones with the highest scores are of 23cm tall.
@@argentinianspotter this is the one I have
LenTok
4.1 out of 5 stars 80Reviews
Overhead Tripod Mount for Camera
It raises about 24" off the desk
@@TheModelGuy perfect, this is just what I was after. Thanks!
I hear Canada dropped the Super Hornet too. The RCAF had required fitting issues also LOL.
I try to steer away from current politics on my channel (I am a reservist and can get in trouble) but my understanding is a company who opened a trade complaint against Canada could not compete. That ties in to the Q400 fiasco
@@TheModelGuy No problem. It was meant in humor only. I understand your position. Spent 5 years in the Canadian Army Reserve then 5 years in the Canadian Air Force.
@@Maddog-nb9vu no worries :)
Very nice model :) I have a question for you, can I make a stock of sprue glue, or it will evaporate after a few weeks, and it will become like normal plastic in the jar?
I just add more styrene every few weeks if it seems to have thinned down too far
"Mounting it inverted" - I see what You did there
Tried to avoid the typical TG quotes :)
you sell these?
I've sold some models. If you're interested you can contact me through Facebook or Instagram.
@@TheModelGuy where did you get that small stencil you used in this vid?
@@43rocket it’s a set from Uschi. Called “Splatter Templates”
@@TheModelGuy you out of canada like me?
@@43rocket I am. I got mine from Ultrafast.ca
The cockpit decals for this kit sucked so bad! It looks awful I’m just going to stripped all the paint and decals and paint brush them on…
I obviously put down that comment before reaching the part of the video where you mention the decals…
Just a comment for the algorithm.
I wish Tamiya would release both F/A-18 families and F-5Es with the same quality that the latest F-14, F-4B, P-38, Spitfire, etc. In not time all these meng, Kinetic, AFV will be out of the business. I can't understand with now adays technologies, and engneering we still see this horrible assembly having th sand and rescribe for hours to make this model look decent.