Hi
folks, this is my first submission on ARC and I present my freshly built Academy
1/72 F-16CJ/CG. It’s fresh from their factory and I am quite happy to have
been possibly the 1st consumer modeller to build it. The kit is
comparable to Revell and Hasegawa, combining perhaps the rivet and panel details
of the Revell kit with the wonderful fit of Hasegawa. At first glance the kit
looks like a scale down version of their 1/32 version. It almost is.
Click on
images below to see larger images
During
the 40 hours of construction I consulted many websites, notably www.f-16.net
for references to the paint schemes and little blips and sticks that pop out of
late block F-16s. The particular one I had in mind was a Hellenic block 50, and
hence I did not follow the instruction sheets provided in the box. (and ditched
the Cartograf decals for something else)
The
kit provides in its sprues hidden clues of future release, these are the 2
versions of IFF antennaes, the clip on type on MLU and the flush type, as seen
in this build. Also, the provision of the longtail drag chute housing, and the 2
side blister fairings all point towards a future release with different decals,
possibly Block 42, 52. This is possible since the big mouth intakes and
associated Block 50 stuff are mounted on 1 sprue; Academy possibly could just
mould a new tree with the small mouth NSI intakes and PW engine nozzles. (I’m
just speculating) However, given that the fuselage is moulded as one piece, I
would not be certain they would do a twin seater anytime soon.
Ok
enough of that. The tinted canopy is a big problem for many modellers intending
to do versions without the tint, especially the rear piece, which is supposed to
be clear on the actual Greek plane. Besides, there is a seam line right in the
center, because of the moulding method used similar to Hasegawa’s. The nose
profile is also odd, with an unmistakable bulge when seen laterally and is not,
to my knowledge, correct . the flaps are also moulded wrongly, it should extend
all the way to the fuselage, but the kit has them end somewhere on the wing.
Painting
was done in pastel shades of FS 36375, RAF Barley Grey and Neutral grey. I added
tints of white and blue to adjust the shades, and weathered it by spraying in
the patchy method used for tomcats. The camouflage was done from 36375 1st
to barley grey last. I used paper templates placed over blutack for a fairly
hard demarcation edge between the colours. It got frustrating near the contours
of the fuselage and some touch-ups had to be done for spill-outs. After a coat
of Tamiya acrylic clear, and the decals and enamel wash went on. It is sealed by
Gunze Sangyo super flat coat, sprayed with an airbrush.
Weapons
are liberally decorated with stencils, much like Hasegawa’s weapon sets. My
only gripe is that the Litening pod and the amraams are slightly inaccurate. The
kit also supplies JDAMs which I did not mount.
Now
that I’ve finished one, I’m probably hanging around waiting to see what’s
coming from Academy, and the rumoured HobbyBoss 1/72 F-16s probably will be
heading out soon. In the meantime happy building!
Kevin
Click on
images below to see larger images
|