Academy USMC F/A-18D Conv to CF-18B 1:32 – build review

Feature Article by Geoff Coughlin

Here’s a bit of background to the Canadian Hornets

Photo: Two Canadian Forces 410 Squadron CF-188B Hornet fighter flying over the Utah Test and Training Range (USA) for planned engagements during the “Tiger Meet of the Americas” on 9 August 2001. The first aircraft is painted in a special scheme commemorating the 60th anniversary of 410 Squadron.

The inaugural “Tiger Meet of the Americas” brought together flying units from throughout North America that have a Tiger or large cat as their unit symbol (in 410 Sqn’s case, a Cougar). The Tiger Meet of the Americas closely mirrors the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)/Europe Tiger Meet in its goal of fostering camaraderie, teamwork and tactics familiarisation. Source: Wikipedia

The Brief was to use Academy’s USMC F/A-18D to make a Canadian Armed Forces CF-18B. The particular aircraft required was Serial Number 188910 of 410 Sqn. A bit of internet research showed the following info on this aircraft:

First date: 6 May 1983 – Taken on strength
Equivalent to F-18B-10-MC when delivered. With No. 410 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in 1980s and 1990s, exact dates not known. Reported at Canadair in February 1995. At CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in April 2006. Visited Pearson International Airport, Toronto on 8 July 2006. On display at Salinas air show, October 2006 in No. 410 Squadron markings. Still with these markings in November 2007. Fuselage stored at the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron at Trenton by 2010, being used for spares.

The main thing to note from the above was this aircraft was never entered into the mid-life update program so there would be no requirement for the following:
• Updated fuselage antennas (swept back profile)
• Nose IFF antennas
• Limited Weapon options

A great reference source I found for this conversion was on the IPMS Canada website and it pretty much gives you all the info you need to make a CF-18. http://www.ipmscanada.com/ipms/Reference_%20Article/Aircraft/Aircraft_Page/CF18Hornet.html

What it says is as follows:…