Osprey Modelling 16, Modelling the F/A-18 Hornet, by Geoff Coughlin, Osprey Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84176-817-0,82 pages

Reviewed by John Prigent

Here’s an excellent guide to modelling the Hornets, with good reference photos as well. After an introduction about tools and materials the first chapter deals with the Hasegawa 1/48 F/A-18C, built at intermediate level with only the Eduard etched set added to the basic kit. Next comes a second intermediate build, of the Academy F/A-18C in 1/32 scale. Again little is added to the kit contents but there are detailed “how to” directions to follow.

Then attention turns to advanced level builds, with the first being an F/A-18D of the Royal Malaysian Air Force built from the Hasegawa 1/48 kit with a Black Box resin cockpit set and aftermarket decals from F-4Dable Models. Here there are not only “how to” notes but also reference photos of the real aircraft. Then comes the Italeri F/A18F Super Hornet, again with a Black Box cockpit and other add-ons. Quite a few minor things need modification in the Italeri kit, and they’re all described. Finally there’s a Master level build of the Academy 1/32 scale F/A-18A with Cutting Edge resin cockpit, Black Box exterior update and other extras. This is a major piece of work and all of it is described. Again, there are reference photos of the real thing to help.

All through the book there are helpful tips on how to do things, colour selection, and further references. There’s also a section of suggested projects with photos of RCAF and Swiss Hornets in interesting colour schemes – in the case of the RCAF machine perhaps “challenging” is a better description than interesting, since it would involve masking a checkerboard pattern!

Very highly recommended to all fans of the Hornet and Super Hornet.