I used a Black Box cockpit and scratch built the HUD, I had to do considerable modifications to the seat to make it fit low enough so that the canopy would close.  I closed all the landing gear doors  which took a lot of filler and re-scribing.  I used the info Joe Hegedus sent to me to help correct this kit, Thanks Joe. There are quite a few major errors in this kit and there are also numerous amounts of poor engineering problems.  The intakes took up most of my time trying to get them to sit correctly and cleaning up the inside of the intakes.  I also had to fill in the air brake along the back of the plane. 

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I painted the aircraft with Model Master paints and clear coated it with High-Gloss by Floquil.  I used a combination of the CAM decal sheet  for VFA-131 and Yellowhammer A-6E sheet for VA-34 “Blue Blasters”, I know they don’t fly the F-18E yet but that’s what my brother wanted on the plane.  I sealed the aircraft with a coat of Aeromaster semi-gloss.  I used Heavenly Hues to bring out the panel lines and a mixture of brown and black to give the burner cans the heated metal look.  I also used the Hasegawa weapons kit and a few items from the spares box.      

Well, this is the abbreviated version of all work and time I had put into this kit.  I will really think twice before I purchase another Italeri kit again. But after all is said and done it turned out to be a good looking plane to bad my brother has already  dropped it.   

Mike Lepek