Academy 1/72 F-16c "Thunderbirds"

[1275GT]

Hi all, it seems I've become addicted to shiny aircraft, so this is next on the bench! It's my first kit from this company, and out of the box it looks very nice, with some very fine detailing. It looks fairly straightforward and will be pretty much OOB, though I'm considering making a seat and HUD cover, and maybe setting it on a simple base. The only potential problem I can see is a tricky seam on the air intake to deal with, but we'll see how we go with that.

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Cheers, Neil

 

[Kressy_13]

Looks like a nice kit mate. Do like the F-16, always have. Will be watching this one.

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice choice Neil, this will look fantastic parked up with the F-4.

 

[Ziper_it]

Interesting. It looks that is going to be a nice one with good details.

Francesco

 

[1275GT]

Hi all, finally made a start on this. The detail is very fine, especially in the cockpit, but apart from the 2 MPS there are no decals provided, which I think is a bit of a shame. I had a go ( well, a couple to be honest ! ), but they ended up looking like a drunk hamster had had a run around......

So in desperation, I dug out an old kit which happened to have some basic details and some plain black stripes. These decided to break up as I applied them, but I found if I was careful enough, it actually gave a better look than just plain slabs of black. I managed to add a few other small details, and decided to leave it at that. All in all, it's not brilliant, but a lot better than it did look.

Also started the intake and undercarriage bay. Again, some nice fine detail, but there's a bit of a seam in the trunking. I've filled the seam with a thick load of white paint, and it's helped quite a bit, but it still shows a little. Theres also going to be one where the lip piece will attach, and that's going to be interesting to sort. The main undercarriage bay is nicely detailed. I might try to add a bit of plumbing, but it'll be pretty much OOB, I think. View attachment 72284

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Cheers, Neil

 

[1275GT]

Ok, finally got time to do a bit of playing again ! Unusually for me, I've decided to have a go at uprating the undercarriage. I don't usually bother too much with stuff that won't get seen often, but the base detailing seemed pretty good and I found a really good walk-around reference, so I thought I'd have a crack. I've possibly done too much construction as masking will be a bit tricky, but as the main colour will be the same as the bay colour, I don't think it will be too bad - I hope !!

The detailing is based loosely in fact, but I have used a bit of artistic licence here and there. It's just had it's first coat of colour, some picking out of details and a wash will follow.

Also shown is a little bit of detailing I've added to around the cockpit area.

Anyway, enjoy!

Cheers, Neil

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[papa 695]

Looks a well detailed kit Neil, and you have added to it nicely great job so far

 

[Bunkerbarge]

This seems to be a pretty impressive kit and you are certainly making a great job of it. I'm really impressed with the undercarriage details though, so much so it might even be worth putting this one on a mirror.

 

[Ian M]

Looks good. You are right about the mirror. Be a shame to hide that big firebird decal on the underside.

I feel a theme developing here Neil. First the Phantom now this....

Ian M

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice progress Neil, lots of detail in that lot

 

[1275GT]

Thanks for the comments, guys - much appreciated

I've detailed and lightly weathered the main gear bay and got that installed. Have to say I'm quite pleased with it so far. I was very aware of going overboard with it, and I think I've got the balance about right.

To be honest, I'm not really a fan of models on mirrors, and I kinda had an idea for a simple dio for this. Maybe I could do a large drip-tray under it with a mirror in that......?

So, was fiddling about and tried out the fit of the canopy. Front end, fine. Back end, utter poo !!! It's too narrow, and undersize for the opening it's supposed to fit. I think I can sort the width issue, but the gaps are going to be a different matter, I think. It's a pain as I wanted to do it canopy down, but opening it would solve the problem............something to think about!

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Cheers, Neil

 

[mobear]

very nicely done,looks about right mate

mobear

 

[Polux]

Looks a very nice start Neil!

Polux

 

[1275GT]

Hi all. Finally starting to look like an aeroplane !! I may have been a bit previous with the tailplane as the rear body/exhaust can needs some careful painting/masking, but we'll see how we go. The overall fit doesn't seem too bad, but there are a few annoying steps to sort here and there, and I'm still debating what to do about that canopy....

Cheers, Neil View attachment 74256

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[papa 695]

Hi Neil looking good so far

As for the canopy could you just pack behind the back of the canopy sides with plasti-card or the like to force the canopy sides out so theres no step then just use your normal canopy glue to fill the gaps.

I hope you can understand what I'm trying to say

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice job Neil, your Falcon is looking good mate. Ian's suggestion is how I would do it too, pack the inside of the frame with plastic card to push it into shape against the frame and glue the gaps.

 

[1275GT]

Thanks for the suggestion, guys. I think what I'll do is try out my idea for the seat/HUD cover and see how that comes out. If it's ok, I'll do it canopy up and save myself the hassle

Cheers, Neil

 

[flyjoe180]

Or you could go ejection :eek:

 

[1275GT]

LOL.....if only I'd seen that before committing to going gear down......aww shucks, maybe next time !!

 

[Ian M]

Yikes that was pretty darn close.!

Ian M