F/A-18C Super Detailed Cockpit (Early Version)

Cutting Edge Modelworks

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Cutting Edge Modelworks CEC32117 supplies a mixture of cast resin, vinyl masks, acetate instrument faces, and stainless steel mesh parts to super detail the new 1/32 Academy F/A-18C Hornet kit.  The set portrays the early Lot 10 configuration. 

Complete and comprehensive are good adjectives to describe this set.  In all there are 36 cast resin pieces, a sheet of clear acetate instruments, a sheet of Black Magic pre-cut vinyl masks (for the instrument panel CRT screens) as well as a small square of stainless steel mesh to simulate the equipment bay RFI netting. 

The resin parts comprise

• Equipment boxes (the new name for black boxes perhaps?), VTR, centre box for the Equipment bay, and a data block for the rear bulkhead.

• The equipment bay itself.

• The starboard console (labelled as port console on the parts list) and Video camera. (No mention is made on where to install the video camera on instruction sheet – perhaps this is for a later version of the Hornet).

• The cockpit tub.

• Left and right sidewalls.

• The ejection seat – cast with the belts in-place.

• HUD (Head Up Display).

• Canopy rails.

• Sub panel, map case, control column and rudder pedals.

• The instrument panel.

• Canopy hinges, tailhook lever, compass, control boxes, eyelets, lipstick cameras, canopy jettison lever and canopy hooks.

Unfortunately, photographs really do not do justice to the detail that has been cast into these parts.  The casting is first-rate; the detail is very complete and very, very crisp.  Once you have painted the parts and applied a wash the detail will really stand out.  Flash is minimal and there are no pinholes in any of the parts in my sample.   

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The instrument panel has been cast in clear resin.  This is a great approach as trying to glaze and make the CRT screens look realistic in this scale is difficult.  Once you have painted the CRTs (the instruction sheet guides you on the correct shades) apply the black magic masks (there are two complete sets in case of goofs) paint the panel in the correct shades of grey.  When the paint has dried, remove the masks and you will have a top notch instrument panel. 

A fair amount of the kit parts are still used, including the ejection seat actuating handle, the canopy actuating ram and the instrument shroud.  Some of these parts will require modification to adapt them to the resin pieces. 

The instruction sheet is A-4 in size and contains written instructions as well as printed black and white photographs to show the assembled parts.  The written instructions are fine but the photographs are a tad ordinary.  Any chance of reproducing the photographs on the Meteor Production website so as we can get a good look guys? 

The set is packaged in clear plastic zip-loc bags which are in turn packed into a stout cardboard box.  The resin canopy rail part is taped to a thick piece of cardboard to save its delicate arms from being damaged in transit. 

At $31.99USD, this set is not cheap. However, when you consider the amount of work in research, the preparation of the masters as well as the packaging, you really are getting a good deal.

Recommended.