This is my second F-16 in this scale. I’ve made a little mistake with my earlier F-16, the J-248 Dirty Diana. This wasn’t actually an Mlu-version but an A-version.

The really fantastic book Daco from Danny Coremans & Nico Deboeck, where the F-16 is totally uncovered, gave me the urge to make a real Mlu-version.

Driving to my local favorite shop, luchtvaart hobbyshop in Aalsmeer, I got a little bit impatience. I couldn’t wait to start with this model, again in the 72^nd scale from Revell.

Ejection seat:

I build this model straight from the box, except the ejection seat.  I ever bought one but I forgot the manufacturer. I gave the ejection seat new belts, which are made from lead foil. The buckles are made from thin plasticard. And a new ejection handle was made from thin copper wire.  A new emergency oxygen bottle was added, and  of course a few new cables.

Cockpit:

A few things had to be done in the cockpit. It may be a small cockpit, but my opinion is that even in this scale it is worth to add some details.

First I’ve added the canopy pressure seal which goes around the whole canopy platform, and which inflates when the canopy lock handle is closed.

The second goal was to make the sidewall panels from plasticard. 

I’ve airbrushed cockpit part 1 with Humbrol Gloss Black, and used the decals. After I applied the decals, I gave it a flat finish.

I didn’t use the decals for the front cockpit part nr. 7. But at least 24 hours after I painted the part flat black, which I toned a little down with white, I carefully paint the displays with gloss varnish. The LG handle was made from plasticard and was added on the left side.

The back wall gets his air conditioning grids on both sides of the ejection seat.

Added on the left side:

• The G-Suite Hose Connection.  

• The grey crank for manually opens the canopy in case of power failure.  

• The yellow handle (canopy jettison)  in front of the grey crank.  

• The switch above the yellow handle.  

• A new throttle was made from sprue, because I lost the one from the box. 

• Looking to the front you can see the yellow handle, to lock and seal the canopy.

Added on the right side:

• The Oxygenhose

• Two armrests were made from plasticard and sprue.

• The utility light made from wire and sprue.

The canopy:

I often had some problems to get a nice shiny canopy. I believe there is a difference in quality of canopies. In my opinion, the one from Revell in this kit isn’t really a good quality, but maybe am I doing still something wrong. The aft canopy from the J-063 has a smoke shade. I have dipped it two times in a very thinned  Tamiya Smoke. The front canopy of the J-063 doesn’t have a shade, so I dipped it two times in the thinned Tamiya Clear.

Two handles were added on the inside of the canopy. 

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The fuselage:

The major fit of these parts are correct, but you guys have to remove the flush  between the wings on kitpart nr.10 carefully, otherwise the wings will be pushed in a V-shape.

The flaps were replaced in a lowered position.

Some static dischargers were broken in the box, just like my earlier model. I removed all the dischargers and replaced them with sprue, and off course in the right length.

The anti-collision light on top of the tail was removed en replaced by a transparent piece of  sprue. I also did this with the position formation lights on the wings, and the navigation light  just above the parachute house.

New angle of attack sensors were added by thin metal sprue.

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The intake:

I guess you guys all know the bad intake of these kits. I removed some plastic from the kit as shown on the picture, and rebuild the whole intake with plasticard and Tamiya filler. It costs me a lot of sanding hours until the shape was oke. The engine is just a circle from plasticard with a little point in the middle. The engine is painted in a way to simulate the right thing.

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Decals:

I didn’t use the walkway decals but I’ve airbrushed them after al long masking job.

Before I add the decals I’ve  painted the whole model with X-tracolor Gloss.

I just used the decals from Revell. They are designed by DACO Products. Believe me these are really superfine macroreadable decals. I was lucky, because my earlier Dirty Diana got the ASD7211 decalset. Through this, the decalset from Revell was left, and that’s why I became  lucky, because I needed two Polly Grey decals looking left, because PollyGrey doesn’t look forward on both sides on the real tail of the J-063. Anyway it is a little detail.

After the decals were applied I finished the model with X-tracolor flat.

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Landing Gear and Main Wheel:

I only add a few wires on the nose landing gear, and in the wheelbay.  I’ve made new acuators for both main wheel doors, because the pair from the kit didn’t fit, and didn’t look realistic to me at all. The main wheels got even new lights, which are simulated by a type of perfect clear lenses, which were available in my local luchtvaart hobbyshop. It’s a shop in Aalsmeer, close to Schiphol Airport Amsterdam. It’s very worthwhile to visit this shop when you are here.

I used the Verlinden way to obtain a natural sit of  the tyres. Put a pan with about about 5 millimeter water (is enough), on a low fire. When the water has the temperature of 90° C, hold the tyres in pliers, and press it on the bottom of the pan. The tyre will flatten and en get the bulged finish. (Watch the heat of the steam, wear gloves).

Painting the model:

I used the Humbrol enamels. All colors were toned down a little with lighter grey colors, because of the scale effect.  The J-063 is full of spots and some paint damage, which I have simulated  with some different shades of grey, and even black was used a little. Black soles from boots leave these black soils. Graphite oil leaks on both sides of the wings are simulated with almost dry enamel paint.

The final thing was drybrushing the whole model, again with different shades of grey. 

Click on images below to see larger images

Thanks to:

• Richard J. Tucker, Tools 'n' Tips article he wrote a good article about the scale effect on paint colors on the ARC. 

• And of course to all those friendly guys who helped me with some questions, on the ARC discussion-board.

References:

Danny Coremans & Nico Deboeck – uncovering the Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B/C/D

It is a pleasure to have this brilliant masterpiece.

Henk