Viking

Maciej Bellos
I like it!

Paul Moore
Nice "Hoover"! I just picked up this kit. The darkened canopy looks really nice! What was your technique for that? Also, the walkways come as a decal, did you use them and then weather the walkways or is that painted? I flew the S-3 in VS-33 ….that looks like a Hoover as I remember it. A problem with the kit is that there are no wing tanks or refueling pod. The only option was two Harpoon missiles. Although capable of Harpoons, and if there was a "war at sea" the Hoover was a great Harpoon shooter due to the ISAR radar, but you just NEVER saw the Hoover without a buddy store and wing tank. Sometimes maybe a TER if we were going to drop practice bombs or MK-82's. I purchased an AM buddy store and I think I can use a 300 gallon drop tank from my Hobby Boss A-6E model.

Richie Pleasants
The darkened canopy was done using thinned Tamiya X-19 Smoke
I painted the walkways and vertical stab markings as the kit decals were old and fell apart.
I'm still tempted to get the AM buddy store and tank...maybe when I get the urge to do the finishing details...

Paul Moore
The Hobbyboss F-18E has a buddy store included in the kit if you didn't want to buy the AM buddy store, FYI. My Hobbyboss A-6 has 4 300 gallon drop tanks - I'd give you one of mine in case your interested.

Paul Moore
Did you airbrush the smoke onto the inside or outside of the canopy? I airbrushed Tamiya smoke on the outside of my 1/72 Hoover. It looked ok, but yours looks better. Can you tell me exactly what you did? I'm wondering about trying to dip it in a heavily diluted mixture of smoke & thinner.

Paul Moore
And don't forget to unmask the side windows for the SENSO & TACCO in the back.

Paul Moore
Ok, last thing - I've got decals from my S-3 kit that I will not be using. They look like the new released decals rather than from an old kit. I bought a set of AM decals with my old squadron, VS-33 that I'll be using. Your welcome to those if your ready to tackle the mighty Hoover again. 😳

Richie Pleasants
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the feedback, and reminders. I sprayed the smoke on the inside of the clear parts. Thinned with Mr color leveling thinner at about 40% paint and 60% thinners. Multiple light coats.
I appreciate the offer of the offer of parts etc. Will definitely consider the offer when I get my hoover MOJO back. Good luck with your build, look forward to seeing the finished product.