Nice and tiny, some 40 plastic parts (2mm ling stick got me), two atractive camouflages of US and Canadian Hornet.
As I do out-of box kits I made this model according to the manual. I started with cockpit that consist of cockpit itself, seat, main instrument panel and stick. I painted the detail - mainly light grey, with black panel and the stick handle. The seat is partly olive green.
To the front and radar cone I inserted some weight, just in case, as the manual doesn't show any. Then I glued together the fuselage part (not exactly fuselage, as the wings and elevators are parts of it). I had to use some extra glue as putty at the bottom of the wing-fuselage joint and I had to wait till it dries well.
I continued with ruders and intakes that fit very well. Next was the undercarriage. I had to split the wheelwells covers as they are in "closed" position on the frame.
Next was the undercarriage. I had to split the wheelwells covers as they are in "closed" position on the frame. I glued the legs into the places but left the tires for after painting final asembly (same I did with canopy).
From the first time I really liked very colourful Canadian Hornet. The main sourface is covered with the hornet decals with some tiny details.
I sprayed the whole model with the light matt grey humbrol 23 and after dried up with acrylic clear varnish. The I applied the decals. That was probably most dificult thing with this kit. Then I used again the clear varnish and on this I lightened up the panels with the black pencil and sprayed the whole model with semigloss clear varnish.
I mainly do 1/48 scale but I really like this one, as I did not need to be bothered about details, as the kits is detail itself. It goes together very well, and apart of two, three places I did not need putty at all.
March 2010