The Meng 1/48 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet, LS-012 is an excellent kit, with crisp surface detail on its precision molded parts. According to the Scalemates website, this Meng kit was released in 2020 and has since received an improved higher quality canopy mask set over the original vinyl mask set included in earlier releases of this kit. Past Builders complained that the vinyl masks in the earlier production kits would peel up from the clear canopy parts and require frequent re burnishing. The kit is a much-needed upgrade from the 2005 Hasegawa 1/48 F/A-18E Kit, which is still considered a high-quality model. Reviewers of the Meng kit have reported that fit of the parts is better than the Hasegawa kit although the Hasegawa kit has more refined recessed panel line detail. Although Hobby Boss also has a recently released 1/48 F/A 18E Super Hornet kit, it has added detail that is unnecessary, such as fully detailed engines that cannot be seen once they are enclosed in the fuselage. That kit also includes parts to make the radar housed inside the nose, however, I prefer to have the nose closed on my builds. Significant pluses for the Meng kit are that it includes a detailed pilot figure, seat, metal pins and poly caps for weapons removal and angle adjustment on the rear horizontal tail planes. Control flap surfaces can be posed up or down. Wings can be positioned either folded or non-folded. Horizontal tail planes have movable flaps, and the boarding ladder can be made either down or retracted. Parts fit is similar in quality to a Tamiya kit. A full complement of bombs and missiles are included in this Meng kit. Decals are manufactured by Cartograph, ensuring they are of high quality. The main decal sheet includes decals for up to four different paint schemes: A. VFA-31, 2017 Aircraft piloted by Capt. James McCall, the commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing 8, Felix the Cat, U.S.S. George H.W. Bush, 2017. B. VFA-31, 2009 Aircraft piloted by LCDR Carlisle Lustenberger, Felix the Cat, U.S.S. George H.W. Bush. C. VFA-87, 2017 Aircraft piloted by LCDR R.J. Prescott, Golden Warriors, U.S.S. George H.W. Bush. D. United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, 2019, Pilot Unknown. Due to the monotone grey paint scheme on F/A-18E aircraft, I selected high visibility paint option A for my build of this model. I also elected to build the kit with the pilot in a closed canopy. As I elected to build the model with the flaps down, I positioned the wings in an unfolded configuration. As this kit had instrument panel decals and a highly detailed ejection seat, I built the model out of the box with no additional aftermarket detail parts. The kit also included a small fret of photo etched parts. As the parts fit was precise, I experienced no major build issues. There was a slight lip that had to be sanded smooth where the top fuselage half mated to the lower fuselage half, located below the aircraft's windscreen on both sides of the fuselage, however this was relatively easy to correct. The main canopy glass part also has a fine mold seam that will require polishing out. Canopy glass parts are crystal clear with no discernable wobble. The instructions which were well laid out did not show where decal #20 was placed. Decal #20 was necessary to build option A. After researching this information, it was determined that this decal was supposed to be placed on both sides of the midline fuel tank near the front end of this assembly. Installation of the landing gear and bay doors was fiddley and complicated, so careful attention to the instructions is required during these stages of the build. Due to the excellent fit, of the bay doors and detail parts installation of the landing gear and bay doors proceeded with no build issues. For painting of this aircraft, I used the black basing technique. For topcoats of paint on this model I used Mission Models Dark Ghost FS 36320, MMP-074 for upper surfaces and Mission Models Haze Grey US Navy 5H, MMP-103. I masked off the spine of this aircraft using Tamiya masking tape and painted it flat black. Application of the red pin stripe decal was tedious as were the red tail fin tip decals, however I was happy with the result. Application of the stencil decals was tedious and slightly frustrating as they practically disappeared into the paint once applied. Decaling of the ordinance and pylons was tedious and time consuming, but worth the effort in the end. I would agree with some reviewers of this kit that its weakest area is the stock exhaust nozzles, whose appearance would be greatly improved by resin after-market parts. Although entry level model hobbyists with some experience could possibly successfully build this kit, excellent results are more likely with patient intermediate to advanced model builders with assembly, airbrush, masking, painting and decal application skills.