1/48 Tamiya F-16C USAF "Thunderbirds"

Gallery Article by Yiming Jin (viperbite) on Jan 22 2009

 

The kit is the 3rd. 1/48 F-16C Fighting Falcon from Mr. Tamiya, OOB built in In-flight pose with the markings of the USAF Demonstration team Thunderbirds, which is based at Nellis AFB, Nevada. 

Tamiya's F-16C series is based on a same kit, with details and panel lines replicating a Block 50 CJ (with a tiny mistake about the fuel pressure panel). To do a Block 32, some modifications are needed, many of which are listed in the construction book, but some are not, for example, the most inboard hinges are two-fingers not three-fingers as the later blocks. This is easily done but would make your viper build more accurate.

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In order to make a good express for In-flight, somehow, a closed nozzle is needed. But sadly, Tamiya didn't provide it in the 32nd. kit, so I had to borrow one from an Italeri kit with small surgery to fit it to the Tamiya original parts.  On the other hand, the pilot somehow made himself the key point of the build. Tamiya provides a very well molded pilot with HGU-33 and Thunderbirds G suit.  After a little bit homework and carefully paint job, the result is good.

Back to the demonstration scheme, usually a highly polished gloss coat is needed. To replicate that on a scale model is more difficult than the common operational jets. And the decals from Tamiya are really a nightmare. They are large, thick and hard to roll over on the curved surface, so many paint and re-paint are between. After all things were done, several coats of clear paint is needed. When dried, I used Modeler compound to polish the whole jet. This can make different surface with decals or not to even, and a smooth surface in the end.

To wash the jet, I used my home made washing-mixture. It's light grey mixing with some brown, so the result won't pop up so obviously. Last but not least I paint some sliver on the air refueling door to replicate the scratches of the real thing.

Yiming Jin

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Photos and text © by Yiming Jin