BIGGEST HORNET KIT YET - WELL ACTUALLY, IT’S THE 1:1 SCALE REAL THING

Academy’s neat 1:72 scale Boeing F/A-18 Hornet (and its hugely bigger 1:32 scale cousin, shown top above) is an example of ongoing product improvement, with extra parts and excellent third-party Cartograf decals. For anyone who has assembled one of these bigger Hornet kits, the time-lapse video above is a reminder of the complexities of putting together the real thing.

Like all big aircraft projects, construction and assembly of the Hornet is an international business, with parts big and small arriving at the assembly hall from thousands of separate suppliers. The final flying machine is a triumph of systems integration.

However, this approach doesn’t always work the first time. For example, on the much-delayed Dreamliner passenger jet, Boeing has had real problems with the supply chain - among other issues, thousands of fasteners had to be replaced. Still, Boeing reckons most of these problems are now solved, and the company aims to have the new jet taking off on its maiden flight later this year.

Visit Academy here, and the Boeing company here.

The video is via Live Leak, here.

THIRD QUARTER KIT QUARTET FROM ACADEMY

South Korea’s Academy model kits are on a roll this year, so SMN has no qualms about another post. Academy’s releases for the third quarter - July to September 2009 - show a mix of subjects and kit extras. From the top then -

The ever-popular F-15E Eagle is presented in improved form, with a neat set of Iraqi Freedom ‘nose art’ markings made by the respected Cartograf specialist decal-maker from Italy. Canopy and dorsal air brake of the 1:48 scale model can be posed open or shut, there’s a full set of weapons to hang under the wings.

Matching the improved status of the F-15E in a smaller scale is the 1:72 F/A-18D Hornet. Once again, Cartograf has been commissioned to produce a very fine decal set, and many kit parts are new or polished up. It’s not the world’s prettiest jet, especially in two-seater form, but the highly successful Hornet should be in any modern jet collection - and this one should make up into a goodie.

For marine enthusiasts, Academy have a 1:350 scale World War II Admiral Graf Spee pocket battleship. As with the aircraft, the Graf Spee has been given new and improved parts, and the biggish scale will make it an impressive piece of naval history when displayed on a shelf.

There’s a final aircraft to bring this roundup to a close, with another German veteran from World War II, the 1:48 scale Messerschmitt Bf-109E-3. The box art hasn’t been finalised yet, so here we show a contemporary photo that shows off the splayed legs of the 109’s narrow-track main undercarriage. Like the other Academy releases here, the 109 comes with various new parts.

It’s great to see kit manufacturers refining their kits like this - constant upgrading of parts, and using outside decal sources really shows that companies like Academy care about their clients, which in this case is us modellers. It’s good to be appreciated!

Academy Q3 models will be available through model stores and online suppliers.