Can you comment on the pylons included someone mentioned they were short ?
regards,
Well...I got one, and there are positives and negatives as usual. But I
> think the positives take the day on balance...
>
> On the plus side:
>
> 1) Nice very fine panel lines - the usual Hasegawa quality.
>
> 2) Well shaped external tanks.
>
> 3) Centerline pylon is properly shaped (wasn't on the 1/72 kit). >
> 4) The side vents on the intakes are open - no need to get the file out. >
> 5) The kit seats actually don't look too bad.
>
> 6) Full length intake trunks.
>
> 7) Not quite the latest config, but an accurate representation of the ECS
> heat exchanger exhausts as of initial FRP, with flow fences.
>
> 8) ECS Aux Air scoops corrected from the 1/72 kit. Properly done now. >
> 9) LEX Vents still there; in the closed position - as they should be. (The
> builder should probably scribe the line a bit deeper, though.)
>
> 10) Control stick stub for aft cockpit.
>
> 11) Separate flying surfaces. (and now I see why it looked like there
> were two sets of tails included...)
>
> 12) Contrary to my previous opinion, the photo pamplet is nicely done -
> and includes a nice shot of the paint on the lower intake lip.
>
>
> On the NEGATIVE side:
>
> 1) The kit's biggest flaw - the engine nozzles are nearly the same
> size/diameter as the ones in my Hasegawa baby-Hornet kits. This is
> WRONG...the F-414 is a noticably larger diameter engine than the F-404, so
> this would imply that the contour of the whole aft end of the kit is a bit
> off. Noticeable?..probably, if you park this kit next to an A-D kit and
> know what you're looking at. NOTE: anyone planning a 1/32 E/F kit...take
> notes. And better measurements...
>
> 2) The kit's second biggest flaw. While the main gear seem to be nicely
> represented, with the proper planing links for E/F gear vice A-D ones, the
> main wheels are the same or near the same size as in my D kit. Wrong -
> Super Hornet main wheels are larger. Noticeably so when sitting side by
> side with an A-D wheel assembly. Another problem with the mains is that
> there is too much tire and not enough hub - readily apparent from looking
> at the included pictures. (The nose wheels are probably undersized as
> well, but I didn't check.) The main gear shock absorbers are a bit
> strange looking as well...not to mention that I got METAL gear in my C and
> D kits for the same price...
>
> 3) Strange raised square shape under the L/H canopy sill. Later jets have
> a stowable grab handle here, but it's flush when stowed (and it's visible
> in the pictures). Should be an engraved detail...no detail for the handle
> in any event - just the raised square.
>
> 4) No option for alternate aft cockpit configurations - even though the
> VFA-103 jet in the picture book is of the later configuration with the
> UFCD located on top of the (newer) glareshield, only the original LRIP
> missionized configuration - which is the way the VFA-102 jets in the
> photos are configured - is provided in the kit parts.
>
> 5) ALE-50 magazine not represented...funny, as it's nicely done on the > 1/72 kit.
>
> 6) Shape of the forward cockpit glareshield - much better done on the D > kit.
>
> 7) Erosion boots not represented on External Tanks.
>
> 8) No optional parts for post Phase II Upgrade ECS Heat Exchanger > exhausts.
>
> 9) Size...I dunno. Maybe I spend too much time on the flightline, or it's
> just the way the two kits look in the box, but I don't get the impression
> of the difference in size that I get when a C and an F are parked next to
> each other in real life...if you have ever have walked up to a Super
> Hornet the first thing that grabs you is it's size. I don't get that
> feeling looking at the two kits side by side...the boxes are the same
> size...maybe once the kits are built.
>
> SO...am I pleased? Overall, yes...but I'd have to say that this kit is
> certainly not as good as Hasegawa's offerings for F/A-18A-D jets - these
> kits remain the best Hornets kits out there in 1/48, IMO.
>
> Will I buy Hasegawa's E kit? Probably not...I'm a two-seat fan these days > anyway.
>
> That's it for now. Bring on the aftermarket...
>
> --
> - Rufus