Hello and welcome back to TSMH! It’s been a while since I finished my 1/48 scale F/A-18C Hornet in the markings of VFA-87. This jet was one of the first to answer the call during operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 and I wanted this build to serve as a tribute to those who have and are still fighting the war on terror. So this build is dedicated to my my American friends and family and  I present to you my finished work simply titled “War Party” The call sign taken by US Navy squadron VFA-87.

Kit: 1/48 Hasegawa F/A-18C Hornet.

Markings: Two Bobs Aviation Graphics.

Carrier Deck and Catapult: Skunkworks.

Figures: Mostly modified Hasegawa deck crew figures and some Skunkworks figures built OOB.

Display case: Custom built by Paul Thompson at Just Bases.

This project began when I saw this Hornet in action during 2002 and I knew I just had to build her!

I knew it would be great if I could pose my Hornet on the Carrier deck of the USS Enterprise and so I sought out the 1/48 Skunkworks deck kit. My hope was to produce something like this:

Roll on a few months and my Hornet was built, painted and weathered:

Figures were modified:

And the carrier deck began to take shape:

Once I took delivery of my custom display base, all the elements came together to produce the finished project:

So here we are, the culmination of months of work that will be on display in my studio. A build I can be proud of and a build that will always make me smile whenever I gaze upon it.

I hope you have enjoyed this work, there are many other projects ongoing soon to be published, so visit often or sign up for notifications. Until next time, take care and Happy Modelling!

Darren.