F/A-18F Super Hornet Cockpit Set for Hasegawa Kit - 1:72 Aires

[Paul A H]

F/A-18F Super Hornet Cockpit Set for Hasegawa Kit

1:72 Aires

Hasegawa’s family of second generation F/A-18E/F/Gs are generally regarded as being at the top of the tree when it comes to 1:72 scale Hornets. Although the engineering of the kits is quite complex, they are generally very accurate in shape and the level of detail is very good.

Whilst the cockpit is by no means as spartan as some of Hasegawa’s other kits, it can still be improved upon. Enter Aires, purveyors of resin finery from the Czech Republic, with a complete replacement cockpit.

Inside the sturdy plastic blister pack are fourteen resin parts, a small fret of photo etched metal parts and a small piece of printed plastic film. The Martin Baker SJU-17 ejection seats are beautifully cast, with crisp, fine details and nicely textured seat padding. Fine details such as the harnesses and firing handles are represented with photo etched metal parts.

The cockpit tub is equally nice. The side consoles have excellent detail cast in place and there is enough in the way of wiring and other details to give the whole thing a suitably busy appearance. The pilot’s control column and other control handles are cast as separate parts, as are the photo etched rudder pedals. The instrument panels look excellent and can be enhanced further with the film and photo etched parts. A replacement coaming is included, but you’ll need to cut away the kit part in order to use it. I would suggest that the extra work is worth it, particularly if you elect to use the photo etched HUD unit as well.

More resin and photo etched parts have been included in order to bring the canopy up to scratch. I’d recommend treated the canopy itself to a dip in some Klear (assuming you have some) before using these though as otherwise the CA glue you’ll need to use to fix the extra parts in place could fog the clear plastic parts.

Overall, this excellent set includes everything you could possibly want in order to upgrade your Hasegawa Super Hornet. The level of detail is outstanding and the casting is superb. Highly recommended.

Review samples courtesy of

distributed in the UK by Hannants Ltd.

[clift]

Wonder if it can be adapted to the Academy F/a-18D kit???

[Spölle]

Wonder if it can be adapted to the Academy F/a-18D kit???

No way! Hornet and Super Hornet are completely different aircraft!

[Charles Dykas]

Fact is it doesn't fit at all, a total waste of your money.