Hasegawa

1/48 F/A-18F Super Hornet VFA-154 Black Knights CAG

Kit Number: 09816

Reviewed by  Rich Marchiafava, IPMS# 39230

MSRP: $85.95 Imported by Dragon USA. Web Site: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Hasegawa has released another in its line 1/48 scale family of modern jet fighters. The kit molded in light grey plastic has eight sprues in grey and two in clear totaling 257 parts (if my counts is correct) with poly caps for the horizontal stabilators to pivot on their axis. The decal sheet gives you a choice of two CAG birds for the 2005 USS Carl Vinson cruise or the 2007 -2008 U.S.S John C. Stennis cruise both are similar with the only main differences on the vertical stabilizer. Molding is typical Hasegawa fashion with beautifully engraved panel lines and rivet detail that really bring out the lines of the kit. Assembly is pretty straight forward; even the beginner can assemble the kit with little problems. The only complaint I would have at this point is some of the sprue attachment points are heavy and require trimming back from the part so you can sand down the part I damaged the port wing LEX extension on mine and had to repair it. I started out in the cockpit. I was disappointed that the detail on the side consoles was basically flat leaving only a decal to cover the sparse console. The main and rear instrument panels are okay with the dials molded in relief. The more veteran builders may want to opt for a resin cockpit to replace it. I opted for photo-etch. I used the Eduard color zoom sheets which are pre-painted cockpit photo-etch. Just trim and glue and voila finished. These are very nice and this is the first time I have used them. For the seats I opted to use some old True Details resin NACES seats. Next I moved on the forward fuselage halves. I added 14 grams of lead weight to the nose even though the instructions didn't call for it. (I'm not falling for the ole sitting on the tail again!!!) and then I installed the cockpit tub and bottom fuselage. Over all fit was good with very little sanding. Next comes the wing assembly. Here you have a choice to either leave the wings extended or you can cut them and fold the up into the carrier storage position. I opted to leave mine down though. Next you also have a choice to have the control surfaces in the up and locked position or you can drop the slats, flaps and ailerons and spoilers. While the wings were drying I moved on to the intakes and bottom fuselage all went together no problems again with little sanding. Next came the main assembly. Where I joined wings, forward , top and bottom fuselage parts together. It's finally starting to look a Super Bug!!! At this point I started all on my smaller sub assemblies. Pylons, landing gear, fuel tanks. I decided to use no weapons on my example but some are included in the kit. The last time I built a Hasegawa /148 scale kit there were no weapons in it so it was nice to see some here. Landing gear assembly was a tedious as to I had to clean up some mold lines and flash and plugs from here. After assembly a coat of flat white and dark oil wash really brought out all that beautiful detail.

Finally time for paint, I used pre and post shading for my weathering so I highlighted all the Panel lines with a very dark grey and finally the light and dark ghost grey paint coats for the top and bottom of the jet. Followed by my new favorite, Floquil hi gloss lacquer. Next I added the decals. Decals went down very nice although the very first decal I set down settled in the wrong spot and had to be removed with scotch tape. Fortunately it was the red fin cap and could be repainted with some careful masking. You can't even tell the difference. The rest of the decal sessions moved right along with almost no silvering followed by a pin wash of the panel lines and vents. A final coat of Testor's flat lacquer and then final assembly. The final personal touch was the F.O.D. covers I installed. When finished it measures out correctly with Detail and Scale's dimensions. When complete this is quite the eye catching kit and will become the center piece of my 1/48th scale collection. I would like to thank Hasegawa and IPMS for my copy of the kit.

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