Subject: Re: 1/72 Academy F-16 CJ/CG (post as soon as possible thanks!)
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "kevin" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 20:42:40 -0700

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

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.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: kevin 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 7:28 AM
  Subject: 1/72 Academy F-16 CJ/CG (post as soon as possible thanks!)

  Gallery Template #05

  "1/72 Academy F-16CJ/CG Hellenic Airforce" 

  by "Kevin Luo"
  --------------------

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  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 fitting wonder of Hasegawa. At first glance the kit looks like a scale down of their 1/32 version. It almost is. 

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  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.

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  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!

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  Photos and text © by "Kevin Luo"