Very glad to add these two CF-18s to my collection. I have to say I’m very impressed by HM’s rendition of these jets. Extremely well done, superb paint (color is bang on!) and they’ve really captured the spirit of this plane.
They really look great on a shelf together.
My only complaint is the flimsy stand they come with —*putting the model on the stand is like a balancing act. Other than the stand’s peg that fits into a hole on the bottom of the plane...the model basically rests on the stand with nothing to hold it firmly in place.
Now, if I can only find a miniature pilot figurine of Dan “ACPilot” to put in the back seat of #920...
Yes indeed! And as other members have said before... thanks to you for all your efforts and input in making these two issues happen and quite frankly, they are IMO some of the most accurate I’ve seen come out of HM’s production.
I also have to say the HM stands are not the best. The stands on the F-18's are a balancing act,, the F-111s, same for the SNJ-6 Texans which I have had one fall off and get damaged. The F-16 stands are so huge, the cradle covers up much of the detail and really takes away from the stand. I wish HM would just go with a slot or pins.
I do have two F-16's on the way, should be here Monday. Always nice with the anticipation as well when you get them up on display.
I also have to say the HM stands are not the best. The stands on the F-18's are a balancing act,, the F-111s, same for the SNJ-6 Texans which I have had one fall off and get damaged. The F-16 stands are so huge, the cradle covers up much of the detail and really takes away from the stand. I wish HM would just go with a slot or pins.
I do have two F-16's on the way, should be here Monday. Always nice with the anticipation as well when you get them up on display.
Right now, both of my F-18s are sitting so far back on the shelf...to avoid accidents and tip over but what’s the point if you can’t see them under ideal conditions? I could display them with gear down but never liked how they tend to point skywards with the nose gear a little too tall. Besides they look their best in flight mode IMO.
BTW, which F-16 are you expecting? I’m really taking a liking to those jets myself (have the Triple-Jastreb on the way). Wish I had ordered the Black Widows one when it was available but I missed out and there’s no way I’ll pay the current asking prices on eBay! Maybe I’ll go for the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 which is due out later this fall.
yep, they run anywhere from 7.99 to 9.99 depending on which site you get them from. All the majors have them in stock ie Petes, Mule, Akins, toy hq, racersden, diecast airplane, etc.
I believe dacdiscount still works on diecast airplane for 10% total purchase
I have the Netz Flying Dragon Squadron and Netz 107 116th Sqn IDF F-16's on the way. The next F-16 I would like to get is the Triple Jastreb.
I am really hoping HM comes out with the ANG Toledo Stingers model in which case I will probably pick up the Iowa Bats as well and start a ANG collection as they become available.
Yeah, really liking the HM F-16's as well.
I have the Netz Flying Dragon Squadron and Netz 107 116th Sqn IDF F-16's on the way. The next F-16 I would like to get is the Triple Jastreb.
I am really hoping HM comes out with the ANG Toledo Stingers model in which case I will probably pick up the Iowa Bats as well and start a ANG collection as they become available.
Yeah, really liking the HM F-16's as well.
Hope you’ll post some pics when you get your Netz planes.
Received my Netz planes today. The models look great overall but ther Dragons Netz nose has a bit of a problem:
The top left nose seems to be caved in/poorly fitted. For the average collector at a distance, not to bad but it looks rough to me. Hate that this got by the quality control at HM.
Received my Netz planes today. The models look great overall but ther Dragons Netz nose has a bit of a problem: The top left nose seems to be caved in/poorly fitted. For the average collector at a distance, not to bad but it looks rough to me. Hate that this got by the quality control at HM.
That’s a shame on such a beautiful model. The reason why we love F-16s so much (for me at least) is for its beautiful design and how the lines of the plane flow smoothly —*and a big part of it is how the nose cone just blends into the fuselage. Your eye just gets drawn to that area and the cockpit. If I were you, I’d return it. Your other Netz looks fine though.
Before I ordered my Triple-Jastreb I actually asked the retailer to check the model before shipping it as I knew this tooling is known to have pretty visible gaps around the canopy and that the nose pitot are sometimes bent or broken. I’m realistic so I’m not expecting total perfection, after all, these are mass produced models, but the gaps and fit should be pretty tight in my view. After all, we’re not talking about $25 models here.
did you ever order some witty stands for these? If not I have one F-18 left over you can have that came in a bulk order. I have my splinter aggressor hornet on one....can't beat the look or fit.
Hi steveNfl, I haven’t got around to order some yet. How well do they work with HM models? Are they secure enough (I guess, it’s not that hard to beat HM’s stands, is it?)
Hi steveNfl, I haven’t got around to order some yet. How well do they work with HM models? Are they secure enough (I guess, it’s not that hard to beat HM’s stands, is it?)
Definitely, all metal construction vs plastic and the witty both cradles the model and hooks in, rather than just sitting on top of a peg Its beyond a relief to be able to move the model freely without worrying about it falling off. It also rotates so you can have level, or bank left or right
If you want it I'm not looking for anything for it, PM an address and I'll see how much shipping would be. The extra is still in original packaging unopened
Hey steve, do you like that HM "Fighting Omars" F-18? I bought it - one of the few items I actually pre-ordered. But, while it's very good, it's nowhere near as striking or impressive in the flesh as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong - I like it, but I thought it would be an absolute show-stopper in the collection.
While in fact, the best and most impressive HM F-18 that I own is actually this one:
which has just outstanding "presence" despite being overall grey.
I do, I'm not the biggest hornet fan in the world but I really like the scheme on it. The paint is a little drad and could have been done better, I'd have to think this is what you are referring to and if so I do agree they could have put a little more love into it. Its not horrible, blotchy/runny, just the paint is not as good as other HM's I have nor the one you posted. That said, again overall I like it and I'm always a fan of red star adversary crafts. No regrets at all in buying it.
Thanks for the reply! Yes, that's pretty much my feeling too. I like it and won't part with it,but it doesn't seem to have that extra little "something."
The Bats one I didn't intend to buy, but I found it in a shop that was closing down and got it for a song. Surprisingly, as I said, it has become my favorite HM F-18.
Love the HM Hornets and Vipers on the Witty stands, especially with the gear up. If you tilt them 10-20 degrees to the side, it looks even better. Here a pic with gear down:
I didn’t realize the height difference between the two stands.
So, Skinner, seems like you bought most of HM Hornets...I see at least 6 here!
Yes, I like the HM Hornets. I have 18. The first one I skipped was the BA with decals. I think I have the Shamrocks on pre-order... I'm not sure. My favorite is HA3518 Golden Dragons.
Thinking about the Shamrocks too...HM really did a great job with their F-18 tooling.
When I first joined this forum, another member warned me how those “pointy things” (fighter jets in general) tended to multiply quickly in one’s collection. Thought he was joking...
Yes, I like the HM Hornets. I have 18. The first one I skipped was the BA with decals. I think I have the Shamrocks on pre-order... I'm not sure. My favorite is HA3518 Golden Dragons.
Since you have so many of them, can you tell me if the shade of greys are all the same or is there much variance among the low viz ones?
Any noticeable differences between F-18’s from different airforces: Australian, US, Canadian...?
Since you have so many of them, can you tell me if the shade of greys are all the same or is there much variance among the low viz ones?
Any noticeable differences between F-18’s from different airforces: Australian, US, Canadian...?
I honestly couldn't tell you. I don't pay much attention to that sort of thing. Dan and SKF could probably tell you.
I've also put most back in their boxes to make way for other models. Here's a photo from about a year ago, but it's too low res to judge the colors. I can look when I get home. I have the CF-18 and Golden Dragons on the shelf currently.
Two CF-18 have landed in my collection
Re: Two CF-18 have landed in my collection
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