Call the Ball

[heywooood]

new project!
Balsa but not a Guillow kit.
No Propeller - No Floats
Retractable gear - Not fixed?
Tail hook
Hard points

I was thinking about taking a break - then a friend sent me somethings in the mail...Then I got a fever - I think I caught a BUG
It will be modeled in landing configuration - minimal stores, flaps full down, leading edge slats down, tail hook down, gear extended - reaching for the flight deck.
that's why the main gear are flexed out and not in the squat position they would be in if it were parked on the ramp.

[backyardbalsapilot]

What kind of plane is it?

[heywooood]

F/A 18C Hornet of "Today's Hobby's" brand.
So it is the original Bug

[heywooood]

I have been down with the flu so no updates for a while..

[backyardbalsapilot]

Where would one purchase this kit?

[heywooood]

A quick search netted this result
http://www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com/ru ... obbies.htm

[Bill Gaylord]

I thought about wanting to convert one of the Today's Hobbies jets to EDF. Almost bought one a few times. Maybe not the most practical for EDF, but good looking kits and certainly possible. I'm a bit surprised that they didn't sell better.

[heywooood]

some progress.. well - lets say I'm about 500' into a journey of a thousand miles..


but it is taking shape.
The thing about these models, compared to Guillow and Herr and Dumas and the others I have built before - is that these build to a very accurate (depending on effort) but very basic shape.
Like a blank canvas that is perfect in that it holds every possibility. All that the modeler has to provide is the extra materials, imagination, and skill.
Materials I can find, imagination I've got...the skill remains to be seen.

[heywooood]

Here is what we are going for.
Gear and flaps extended - dirty.
Not parked on the ramp, but on short final to the carrier. The hook will also be extended along with the leading edge spoilers.
Thats why the gear is not compressed as it would be on the ground.
I am hoping to find suitable decals in white. If I cannot, I will switch to a standard grey scheme and just use the kit supplied markings.

[davidchoate]

I can tell just from the framing that they are very good for display models, but have doubts as to their practicality of becoming Flyable without modifying it to the point of it not being at all the Original Kit anymore. But that Hobby Store is so close to Me. about a half Hr. Drive. Maybe I will go there some Day. Someday soon the FA-18 Hornet will be remembered as the last Fighter that was reliant on Pilot Skill still in enemy engagement/ dogfighting.

[heywooood]

They are designed - or at least claim to be - for use as gliders, sling shot propelled.
I don't see the point in taking time out of my schedule to manufacture a lawn dart, but I love these US Mil jets and the bone structure of these kits is fantastic.
I do not see any other practical way to build these as modifications required to build them as RC ducted fan flyers would be extreme..and they are a little too small for that anyway.
That's OK - I LOVE to build Static Scale Models

I have to say this Hornet is inspiring me. There will be some detail added to this model but it is my first effort on these kits and I want to make certain the basic aircraft is built properly.
That said I have added some cockpit detail, I intend to cut out and install landing gear bays, and hope to do the landing gear justice as well...all scratch built details.
Still a very long way to go yet...

Then the Viper...then the F4 Phantom
My work is cut out til the end of the year at least.

[heywooood]

The nose gear wheel well has been pocketed..
The main wells cut out and are next..
Cockpit plackards drawn and detailed but I might redo them..
Anyway - more details and finishing of the fuselage section before I build the wings and tail surfaces.
On another note - I don't think I will be able to do the retro WWII Avenger scheme as the decals are proving difficult to find.
so this Hornet will probably get the more typical dark grey over light grey paint job.


[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/heywooood/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszno8ups4.jpeg[/img][/URL]

[heywooood]

Missing image

[davidchoate]

Looks nice. I agree. Redo the cockpit details. They look very "Cartoonish". I checked out that website for the Hobby Store, and those Kits look like they would make very nice display models. They put a lot of stringers in to get the shape really good.

[heywooood]

The wings have been built - flaps and leading edge slats are deployed
I still need to do some filling and sanding, sealing and sanding, priming and sanding and then painting and sanding..
But this is the general idea



Still a very very long way to go..