Kit: No. 083
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri, distributed by Testor, 620 Buckbee St., Rockford, IL 61104-4891, phone 815-962-6654
Price: $18
Comments: Injection molded, 144 parts, decals.
Unofficially called the "Super Bug," the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet is an improved and enlarged version of the familiar U.S. Navy fighter. The redesign increases range and payload, correcting the shortcomings of the original. Visually, the Super Hornet features enlarged leading-edge root extensions (LERX), revised box-shaped intakes, greater span with an additional pair of weapons pylons, and a lengthened fuselage.
Italeri has accurately captured these features with cleanly molded styrene parts, accentuated by recessed panel lines. A few ejection-pin marks and minor flash require cleanup. Kit options are limited to a raised or lowered canopy and deployment of leading-edge inlets and speed brakes.
The "E"s new shapes are there, but one detail shows up that should not. The large dorsal speed brake between the vertical stabilizers was not installed on the Super Hornet, but it's there on the kit. You'll need to install it in the closed position and smooth over the seams.
The choice of weapons and the markings on the decal sheet depict the first F/A-18E at rollout. You get two each of Sidewinders, HARMs, Harpoons, and SLAM-ERs, one AMRAAM, a FLIR pod, and a center-line fuel tank - quite a load!
Cockpit detail is average, with raised detail that can be dry-brushed. The seat is a good representation of the SJU-6/A.
For the most part, the instructions' 11 assembly steps are easy to follow, but the installation of the small speed brakes and small inlets in steps 5 and 6 are vague. In step 8, the large forward nose-gear door should be mounted on the right side of the bay, not the left.
Overall parts fit is good, but even after lots of dry-fitting and sanding, I still had to fill and sand gaps between the intake interiors and exteriors. I also needed to fill and sand when adding the intakes to the fuselage, top wing panels to the lower assembly, and the joint where the forward fuselage meets the rear.
I painted the model according to the directions with Model Master ghost grays. The decals went on fine, but there were two problems. One of the national insignias and the pair of serial numbers are printed in light gray; these disappear against the gray camouflage. Photos of the rollout aircraft in World Air Power Journal (Vol. 26, Autumn 1996) show these markings to be dark gray, and the position of the wing insignias should be centered on the outer panels, not inboard as shown.
I spent 20 hours on my Super Hornet, much of the time filling and sanding the intake assembly. The model measures to scale and looks right. Beginners and experienced modelers alike will have trouble with the fit.
The real Super Hornet will be reaching the fleet in 2002, so we'll have to wait a few more years before other squadron markings begin to show up.
- David P. Anderson