PAINT AND
MARKINGS
After the mods
were completed to bring the kit up to modern Block 42 specs, I sprayed the
jet with Model Master acrylics. The white/gray "OK" and
serials were supplied by Mike Grant (thanks again, Mike, they look
great!!).
The rest of the markings were made at home on my computer and printed
using a laser printer. Once the decals were on, another coat
of Future was applied, followed by a light wash to bring out some of the
panel lines. The next day, Dullcoat was applied to bring down the
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LANDING GEAR
Block 42s have larger landing gear than earlier versions, so these would have to
be reproduced. Luckily, Cutting Edge had just released their conversion to add
the "big-mouth" intake (not used here) and larger main wheels and
bulged gear doors. I snapped up the set to use the wheels and doors on my
model. Hydraulic lines were added to the gear struts using fishing line,
followed by a wash. The landing/taxi lights on the nose gear door were
scratch-built using scrap plastic and clear ThermaForm.
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ARMAMENT
Air National Guard jets usually are not armed while at home, with the exception
of inert training rounds. I swiped the AIM-120 and AIM-9 from the Tamiya
F-15E. The LANTIRN targeting pod was also from the Tamiya F-15E, but
modified. I cut off the head and repositioned it at a 30-degree angle,
like real pods. The LANTIRN pylon was scratch-built and cast, again for future
F-16 models. The kit includes a TER, but is just about unuseable due to
very poor detail. Again, Tamiya came to the rescue. I used a TER
from the F-4, cut off its front, and added a scratch-built aerodynamic front.
Cables were added to bring some life into it.
CANOPY
The canopy was worrying me from day one. I thought I knew how I would
construct it, but was never quite sure my theory would work. I bought a
block of balsa wood and went to work. I began to cut, sand, and whittle
wood away until I got the shape and contours right. The biggest problem
was getting the whole thing symmetrical. I thought I would use the wooden
canopy as the master, but I found out too late that balsa wood was the wrong
choice. The wood grain was very prominent and could not be sanded away. I
decided to cast the wood canopy to make a resin canopy master. Once I had
this, I used Squadron's clear Thermaform to reproduce the canopy. The
front part was tinted with Future mixed with yellow food coloring, while the
rear part was masked to be kept clear. The structure and canopy framing
was all built from scrap plastic sheet.
FINISHING TOUCHES
The exhaust is from
Cutting Edge. The detail on it is outstanding. The front HUD frame
was added, along with the glass. The rear HUD-repeater was built from
scrap plastic. The front of the HUD-repeater has a rubber seal on it, and
this was made from lead foil. The canopy actuator is a combination of
plastic sprue and a paper clip. Wiring between the cockpits was made from
fishing line, as were the static wicks on the trailing edge of the wings,
horizontal stabs, and vertical stabs. The intake cover was made from
tissue soaked in a white glue/water combo, and painted red to add some necessary
color.
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It took about two
years to finish, but I am very happy with the results. In retrospect,
there are some areas I could have done better, and some areas where I could have
added more detail. In the end, I was just eager to get it done. It
now sits next to my other 1/32 F-16s in my living room, much to the dismay of my
wife!!
I hope everyone
enjoys seeing the pictures and article.
Jake
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