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Gallery Article Template

"F-16C
Fighting Falcon – Hasegawa 1/72nd scale"

by "Eric
BADE"

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When Astra Decals released their series
of Aviano F-16 decal sheets, packed with quality decals and information, I
immediately thought I might use them. I originally falled in love with the sea
horse design that adorns the fin of some of the aircraft. With time, I changed
my mind and my final choice settled on a flagship aircraft sporting a map of
Italy on its fin : maybe a tribute to my many Italian friends.

I had built a few 1/72nd
scale F-16s previously, the last of them being an F-16A MLU of the BAF based on
the Revell model which was presented here on ARC.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/401-500/Fea453_F-16_Bade/00.shtm

My feeling generally is that the Revell F-16
is the best Viper in 1/72nd scale, the Hasegawa kit being a close
second. Revell best release is their F-16C boxing as it offer several option :
unfortunately it was available during a very short time span, and seems to be
discontinued now.

Hasegawa also released two very
interesting boxings in the form of F-16CG Block 40 and F-16CJ Block 50 and
these kits are packed with parts : weapons (!), but also small and big mouth
air intake, PW or GE engines, F-16A or C fin, small and big wheels, bulged and
flat main gear doors. In other words one of these boxes would allow you to
build any USAF version of the F-16 to F-16A block 15 to F-16C block 52.

As a sum up of what's above I would use
Revell anytime I would build and F-16A/B, Hasegawa whenever I would build an
F-16C/D (that's until Revell re-releases their F-16C boxing!!)

The problem with the Hasegawa kits it that the moulds
were originally released decades ago now. Base is still accurate in shapes,
recessed panel lines still are very sharp, but over the years, the F-16 skin
has received some vents, auxiliary intakes, ECM suits that are not on the
Hasegawa model. A good part of this project was adding the bits that need to be
added on the Hasegawa model to build a good representation of an F-16C block
40, the version that is used by the wing at Aviano.

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Building starts with the cockpit.
Hasegawa 1/72nd F-16 cockpits are a bit empty and flat, decals being
provided for all instruments panels and consoles. I like to detail my cockpit
either wit resin or photo etched parts. This time I used the excellently molded
Aires resin cockpit. Details are sharp and accurate but unfortunately, the Aires
cockpit tub is a pain to install. Heavy cutting, sanding, filing, thinning was done
wherever I could, some parts being thinned to silk paper thickness. The end
result really is worth the job but Aires should really try to ease their
dedicated parts installation. Their molding and details are perfect but fit
still should be improved. FS36231 dark gull grey is the main cockpit color,
black being used on instruments panels and consoles.

Once the cockpit is glued in position,
construction of main fuselage is quite straightforward. I just followed
instructions. One other point of attention on small Hasegawa Vipers is the
adjustment of the jet intake. Beware the Block 40 subtype uses the wider jet
intake. Be careful to check parts and their position before gluing to main
fuselage : a few minutes of adjustment will save you filling and sanding time.

I also prepared jet exhaust at this
stage. Hasegawa parts are quite nice in this area; they were further detailed
with etched parts.

Once main airframe parts are glued
together, I prepared surfaces for painting. A few areas needed putty and sanding.
All surfaces where later polished with micromesh down to 4000 grain. That is
also when I checked photos to find out what is missing on the Hasegawa Vipers. I
used plastic card and plastic rod to build all the little air exchangers around
the airframe. I also rebuilt the “beer cans” sensors on the wing leading
edge. Hasegawa provides them but I was not convinced :
Hasegawa beer cans are cemented beneath leading edge whereas the real thing
seems to go through the leading edge. Last surface additions are the
reinforcing plates that were added on block 40 Vipers. I used small Orion vinyl
plates which are very good and easy to use. I had to check reinforcement plates
configuration for this aircraft. From photographs I found it seems the aircraft
had the full strengthening suite.

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Painting is airbrushed Gunze acrylic
colors. I determined that this aircraft was painted in the 2 color camouflage ie
grey FS36270 and FS36118. I painted main camouflage first then I started
weathering. No pre-shading.

Weathering was built over main
camouflage. I kept it subtle as USAF machines tend to be cleaner than USN
aircraft and this aircraft is the boss mount. I did some paneling with lighter
shades of grey. Panel lines were enhanced with a dark brown wash, a few prominent
lines receiving a black wash instead. Canopy was tinted with a mix of smoke and
yellow translucent paint.

Due to the jet intake being a bit shallow
on Hasegawa Vipers I decided to build a FOD cover. I built it with tape and white
glue. It was painted purple, one of the Wing Squadron color.

Decals are very sharp, well designed and
easy to use. Much to my surprise they needed a bit more attention than the
Microscale decals (ie most US aftermarket decal companies) I am more used to to avoid silvering. True, I do not gloss varnish my models
before decals application as I find that spoils my weathering effects but that
is normally OK with some other decals. Nothing difficult actually, just a
little more care with decal application and a little extra use of decal
softeners.

After I decided to depict this aircraft
I found out that this aircraft is very special as it downed three Serb Galeb fighters
in the hand Capt Robert Wright, Feb, 28th 1994.

I added a light weapon load to complete
model.

"Eric BADE"

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Just delete any of the boxes below you don't
need.....it's not important to include them.....they are there to give you an
idea of the finished article.  It is best to limit your article to no more
than 60 or so photos, so the finished webpage won't take too long to open.

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Photos and text
© by "Eric BADE"