The final few parts
The arrestor gear was now built up. The 4 parts assembled as well as the rest of the kit did and required some cleaning up and altering before they would fit together.
After the glue had dried the unit was painted with H308 and left to dry before a gloss varnish was added to allow the stripe decal to conform around the hook.
The fuel tanks were assembled, painted, glossed, decaled, and matted down before fitting the pylons to them.
The AIM-9s were assembled and painted with Tamiya XF-8 and then glossed, when dry the decals added and the seeker head was sprayed with AK interactive Extreme metal Steel.
The access ladder was assembled and fitted to the left hand LERX but didn’t want to fit without a fight.
Once the ladder was secured the various antennae were added to the various locations on the fuselage, unfortunately one of the side sensors was missing from the sprue, I tried to fabricate one but it didn’t look very good so I decided to leave it.
Both the tanks were glued to the wing along with the 2 GBU-12 bombs and if you notice on the Super Hornet, the pylons are cranked outwards to improve weapon separation but this also adds a significant drag penalty to the airframe.
The canopy…
This was the last part, I had to remove the seam line from the main canopy using Micromesh and sanding sticks until I was happy. The canopy was then masked inside and out and painted black, then the internal framing was assembled and painted and fitted with Revell Contacta clear. The whole canopy assembly was then added to the cockpit along with the canopy opening/closing mechanism.
Then finally the beast of burden was complete.
Conclusion
Well, what can I say? I have not really enjoyed building this kit at all, the only enjoyment is in knowing it is complete and I haven’t got to touch it again! Ok, it does look nice but you have to put in a lot of work and have bags of patience to get to the final result.
I would advise anybody looking to buy one of these is to really think before you buy. I am very angry with Revell for releasing this kit knowing there were shortfalls with it when they have released such lovely kits in the past. Not recommended!!!
Adam W-B.
SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5
| FEATURE | STAR RATING |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | ** |
| Fit of parts | * |
| Accuracy | *** |
| Instructions | **** |
| Decals | ***** |
| Subject choice | ***** |
| Build enjoyment | ** |
| Overall | *** |
Gallery
Below are a series of images of the completed model. Click on a thumbnail to see the enlarged image.
Victor Wright says
I suppose I’m an “oldy” returning to the hobby after a slightly long 50 year gap! But have built 5 or 6 kits at this scale since I returned. I bought this kit for myself as a Christmas present last year but have waited until my confidence level was high enough to make an attempt at it. I’ve read the usual multitude of horror stories, mainly on-line ones about how badly some of the parts just don’t fit properly but I’m anxious to get going with it and was wondering how far Adam is away from completing it.
Adam Brown says
Hey Victor,
Great to see someone else returning to the hobby!
In all honesty, I would steer clear of this kit for now and get some easier kits under your belt first as it really did test my patience! It looks great once it’s built but to get there is very, very difficult.
I’m at the painting stage now and will post an update very soon.
All the best!
If you do want a nice simple Superbug, try the Revell 1/48th kit, decent it is!
Victor Wright says
Thanks Adam. I appreciate your advice. I should have added, whilst I’ve built 5 or 6 1/32 models since my return , I’ve also built about 20 or more other aircraft models split more or less equally between 1/72 and 1/48 mainly WW2. So I’m beginning to think I could manage the superbug at 1/32. Right now I’m at the painting stage of the Revell 1/32 Desert War Tornado, the build of which hasn’t been a problem at all, other than misidentified landing gear parts! So for my next build I’m stuck between the 1/32 superbug or perhaps a 1/48 Tamiya WW2 P38 Lightning. My problem is I seem to have accumulated a stash of about 7 or 8 kits and I’m wondering what to attempt next. I think what I might do is start the superbug first and when it gets a bit tedious switch over to something more straight forward like the P38. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to you completing the superbug, Like you say it’s really a good looking model once it’s completed. The problem is just getting there!
Craige Bevil says
I’ve been following your build review as I’m also working on it too and it’s been really useful as you’ve pointed out some of the potential pitfalls. I think due to the nature of the way the model is put together, the smallest fit issues accumulate to come back to bite you at a later point in the assembly process. Once I realised this, I seem to have avoided some of the problems that have been mentioned. It does take a lot of work though. And it does look great. Looking forward to reading your next update!
Adam Brown says
Thanks for the feedback chaps! To be honest its knocked the stuffing out of me a bit but i’ve been beavering away at it over the weekend and will have an update on my progress this week! Thank you all for your patience!
Happy Super-Bugging Craige & Victor :-)
Howard Kilburn says
You,ve done a great job with it Adam, but I must admit i wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. I,m currently building an earlier Revell 32 scale Spitfire…..ok it,s got a mix of raised and recessed panel lines but personally I like it better than their newer Spit release…..and why oh why are kit manufacturers going for separate ailerons….separate elevators and rudder yes, but the ailerons on the new Revell Spits don’t fit well ( in my opinion )….and anyway are very rarely deflected on the ground….unless yr a pretty sloppy pilot…as my old training Capt used to say….always leave a cockpit the way you,d like to get into it….harnesses stowed and controls locked….pretty much in a neutral position
Anyway rant over, hope yr well
Howard
Craige Bevil says
Looks marvellous. I’ll bet you’re glad to be moving on though, there’s a lot of work in this one and it’s not always rewarding but it does look cracking. I bought a couple of the eduard detaiing kits – the cockpit as a consequence now looks fantastic Otherwise, I’m still plodding on with mine, painting is almost finished. I’m anxious about the decals, I normally let myself down at that stage. Were they okay? What did you use for your gloss coat?
Cheers
Craige
Adam Brown says
Hi Craig, thanks for the lovely comments but yes, I’m glad to have finished it!
Decals were really , really good, Probably the best thing about the kit! As for gloss finish I use Tamiya X-22 thinned with Mr Hobby Levelling thinners.
All the best
Adam
Derek Bradshaw says
A triumph over adversity! Well done Adam.
Derek B