Stahlhart 1:60 F/A-18 Hornet - Page 5

**cMags** · #41 04-12-2010, 07:34 AM

Nah I vote for the F-35.

**Don Boose** · #42 04-12-2010, 10:30 AM

Much thanks and appreciation, Chris. Even if this is a post-1950s aircraft (joke), the F/A-18 is a great airplane and your design style is very builder-friendly.

It is very generous of you to make these splendid models available to us. The only problem is that the wealth of beautiful color scheme options is overwhelming. But seriously, it is a real treat to have such a selection available.

I look forward to the Nanchang Q/A-5.

Don

**Groovin_Fusion** · #43 04-17-2010, 10:48 AM

Wow Chris ! You do some very fine work. Thank you so much for your free paper models.

**Rick Thomson** · #44 04-18-2010, 12:58 PM

The Hornet is not my favourite A/C (I will always be a CF-104 man) but there is a very nice colour scheme to be found on this site Postcards from Comox , along with some spectacular photos of Hawk One working up with the Snowbirds.

**Commander Adama** · #45 04-22-2010, 07:23 AM

Maybe a new chellenge for such a talented and respected designer. Have you considered a Super Hornet to land on the #2 wire?

Adama

**PowerPlayGraphix** · #46 04-23-2010, 04:37 PM

That is definitely a sweet model. I'm going to try and make it out of styrene.

**milenio3** · #47 04-23-2010, 10:59 PM

Hey Chris, here another thankful modeler. Your work is great...

Thank you!!

**Bluenoser** · #48 04-27-2010, 10:54 AM

I downloaded the CF-18's too but have not built them yet. I did build the Gloster Gladiator though and it has turned out to be a good looking and good fitting model.

I toned down some of the panel lines in paint shop and I also mated the fuselage sections together using butt joints instead of lap joints, looks better.

**JezC** · #49 04-28-2010, 02:58 AM

Whats the trick,. or knack on closing the nose cone,.......it has me absolutly stumped,....

**airdave** · #50 04-28-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JezC

Whats the trick,. or knack on closing the nose cone,.......it has me absolutly stumped,....

I do not like petal nosecones and I think banded cones are better once you get to larger scale aircraft. Maybe 1/60 and bigger?

I've done a few "petal" objects (nosecones, headlamp pots...) and they are getting much easier for me each time I do one,
but there is something about this F18 nosecone that has me stumped as well!
It may be just a slightly different petal shape that stops this thing from forming easily.
I also think there are too few petals and the sides are too flat.

funny...my big Blue Angel F-18 (enlarged 200%) is proving to be the hardest nosecone yet!
For that one I used joiner tabs inside (because of the larger space) but that has just ended up causing more difficulties!

My very first attempt (the CF18) was my best, far from perfect, but my best so far.
For that one, I rolled the nose and glued a tube.
Then I curled each petal until they all wanted to to form the necessary tapered shape.
Then I applied tacky glue to all edges and finger formed the tapered cone as best as possible.
I use a circle template to hold the petals in place as the glue tacks up.
Just keep reducing the size of the template hole until the glue has set sufficiently
and you have reached the very tip of the cone.

Although this Stahlhart F18 model is better in many ways, I think I prefer the PaperReplika version nose
which uses banded sections, leaving a very small hole at the point, that is easily filled.
(I used a painted toothpick)