I can say that I am one of the F-16 maniacs,
I like the product from Hasegawa in 1/32 scale. But Hasegawa has 3
different kinds of F-16. The best product that I always use is the "F-16C
Ramstein" because it has good detail, but now I will move to Academy or
Tamiya for my next project. The F-16 in this photo is F-16A block 15 belonging
to the Indonesian airforce. This is the color for the old F-16 squadron, the new
squadron has only 2 color schemes ( Camouflage grey & light fulcrum
blue ) like the F-16 US NAVY. Since the embargo by the US, Indonesia only has
about 6 or 8 aircraft ready to fly and the others were put in storage for parts
& engine replacement.
Actually, Hasegawa makes a good product, but
one thing that I don't like is the fuselage has combination of access &
recess panel lines so I have to sand it very carefully. The parachute housing is
build from scratch...I used my old credit card. And for the parachute, I used
"Food plastic wrap".
I added anti electro static on the nose cone/
radar dome from styrene and replaced the original front antenna, which usually
made from soft plastic with Alumunium pipe and a needle. I burnt the
needle a little bit so it will looks like the real antenna. I also added some
cables in the radar area, landing gear for lights and brakes and some details
inside the cockpit. I used paint from model masters "Light fulcrum
blue" and Camouflage grey also Tamiya "Dark Blue". And I used
"Future" for the canopy and lights.
Before I applied the decals, I sprayed all
the surfaces with 'gloss clear' before applying the decals, I then covered the
decals with 'Satin finish' from Micro Mark and finally covered all the surface
with 'flat clear'. After you spray 'Flat Clear', you have to make it dry
with a 'heater' or put it under the sunlight around 75-80 F. degrees for about
10 minutes. (below 75 F degrees you will not get a good result). The jet will
appear as if the decals are painted on. Nobody will realize that it's
decals. I always use a heater to dry the 'flat clear' color between
fall-spring.
This model got a Gold trophy from IPMS on
2003 at Fort Washington,PA.
The reason why I built this model is to
remind myself about a small incident above the Indonesian Sea, Indonesia has
about 6000 big & small islands. So when they are doing an air patrol,
they always bring 3 fuel tanks. And between the Java & Kalimantan sea there
is about 10 or 15 miles (in width) of International water/sea. On July 2003 when
USS Carl Vinson (usually based in Japan - 7th fleet) sailed thru this
international water/ sea, 4 F/A-18C Fighting Redcock flew across the
international sea and did patrols over Indonesian territory over Bawean Island
(small island North of Java island).
2 Indonesian F-16A & B took off from
Magelang-Java, they took about 30 minutes to Bawean island. Because the US NAVY
didn't want to go out from there and back to international sea. Then 2 of the
F-16A&B did a fast turn and increased their speed and had a good lock-on on
the F/A-18C. 4 F/A-18C broke into 2 groups.. and 1 of the F/A-18C finally got a
good lock on to 1 of the F-16. This dogfight happened for about 3 minutes. The
US NAVY confirmed with the F-16A&B IAF that they are now already above the
international sea. The F/A-18C then landed back on the carrier and the
F-16A&B had to go back home. But some Indonesian warship sailed close to the
7th fleet. This story is based on the Angkasa magazine and some Indonesian news
paper. The name of the pilot of F-16 is 'captain Ian'.. That's why I put his
name on my jet.
Look at the nozzle area, the connection ring between the fuselage &
nozzle.. I imitated burnt metal. 1st I spray with Silver/ stainless steel
color, 2nd I sprayed with clear blue, 3rd I sprayed with clear red, 4th I
sprayed a little bit 'Burn Metal' from model masters/testors. BUT... you CAN'T
coat/spray 'Flat Clear' because the 'clear Red/blue' color will spread
out. You have to coat/cover it with 'Future' so it will be shiny.
For the nozzle I use 'Burnt metal' over the 'Burnt iron' from model masters.
Inside the nozzle, I used Tamiya 'Deck tan' but you can use 'white' or 'Light
grey' washed with black water color mixed with liquid soap.