Subject: Re: F-16A NSAWC Submission
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:08:29 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: [email-masked] 
  To: Aircraft Resource Center 
  Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 2:14 AM
  Subject: F-16A NSAWC Submission

  "1/48 Scale Kinetic F-16A NSAWC Adversary" 

  by "Burt Gustafson"
  --------------------

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  For your viewing pleasure, here are some photos of my 1/48 scale F-16A NSAWC Adversary model. In 1995 the U.S. Navy Topgun School was moved from NAS Miramar (just east of the city of San Diego) to become a part of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at NAS Fallon, near the city of Fallon Nevada.

   In 2000 the U.S. Navy was allocated 14 F-16s (ten A models and four B models) that had originally been earmarked for Pakistan but were never delivered. The aircraft are now assigned to NSAWC as Aggressor aircraft. The model depicted here is that of an NSAWC F-16A with the Bort Code of 60. A Bort Code is a number that simulates the numbering that Soviet fighters wore. 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Construction
  When you open the box that contains the Kinetic F-16 A/B NSAWC Adversary kit, you will be amazed. The large box is packed with 450 parts, far more than any other F-16 kit—too many parts. The kit offers the option of building an A version (single seat) or a B version (two seats). I chose to build the A version.

  Construction began with the cockpit that went together reasonably well. There are no decals for the instrument panels, just raised detail. But, with careful painting you can make the cockpit look realistic. I also added seat belts for more realism. The two clear canopy pieces have parting lines down the middle of each piece that required sanding out. However, the two canopy pieces installed without much hassle.

  Since my F-16A is an Aggressor aircraft, used for air combat training, I installed the AN/APX-95 TACTS Pod on the starboard missile rail and an inert AIM-9X on the port missile rail. Note that I also installed a lead weight into the nose cone to prevent any tail sitting. The wings, tail, and horizontal stabilizers had molded static wicks that kept breaking off during construction, so I cut them all off. By and large, the instructions were clear and not too hard to follow. The parts fit of the kit is fair, a lot of flash. Some assemblies built up nicely, others not so well, requiring serious filling and sanding.

          
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  Painting
  For painting I went with a blue wrap-around paint scheme, used during the years 2006-2009. The paint scheme given in the painting guide called for Light Ghost Gray, Blue, and Dark Blue. For the Light Ghost Gray and Blue colors I used Model Masters paints. For the Dark Blue I used Floquil Dark Blue. The landing gears and wheel wells were painted with Floquil Reefer White.

  I found the painting and decaling guide illustrations were rather poor. Additionally, I think the darkest color blue should be Blue, not Dark Blue. I say this because the paint scheme of my F-16A does not look like any of the paint schemes shown in the box art. However, I saw a photo of a Marine Corp NSAWC F-16A that had a paint scheme very similar to my NSAWC F-16A.

  Decals
  The decals for this kit are nicely printed with good color and crisp detail. They performed well, settling down nicely to the model surface with a touch of Solvaset. I finished off the model by airbrushing a coat of Model Masters Semi Gloss Clear Lacquer Finnish.

  Comments
  In summary, the Kinetic kit goes together reasonably well and it looks like an F-16A. The only drawbacks are the number of parts—way too many, and the paint guide. This was not an easy build—it is not a kit for beginners.

  "Burt Gustafson"

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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 "Burt Gustafson"