F/A-18 'Diamondbacks' Hornet
1/72 scale


The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986. Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance.

I used the rare 'Diamondbacks' Tamaiya 1/72 kit for this Hornet. The Diamondback version of the Hornet is a special 50th anniversary scheme. The kit was well-detailed and the instructions easy to follow.




The parts were glued together using Loctite super glue. The model was then painted in a slightly different colour scheme than that given in the instructions - I used actual pictures of a Hornet as reference. The red used was Revell #34 Ferrari Red. The decals were a piece of cake (I know, thankyou!). The canopy was a bummer though and had to be treated with Johnsons Klear several times as well as being coaxed into shape.


The undercarriage was actually quite fun to put together!


All in all, one of my most enjoyable models to date. The results were (without being immodest) very pleasing to the eye indeed! A lovely model to have in your collection.