1/32 Tamiya F-16CJ Viper

by Kai Reckstadt

--------------------

 

Here are some pics of my recently completed Tamiya F-16 CJ Viper.  For further detailing I bought the awesome DACO-Book "Uncovering the Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B/C/D" by Nico Deboek and Danny Coremans, which I can highly recommend. The study of the book led to some additional detailing to areas where the kit lacks detail:

- Wiring/piping added to the engine, engine-bay, wheel-bays, landing-gear and the cockpit

- Oxygen-/ Compressed-air-hoses and locking-handle added to the cockpit

- RBF-Tags from Reheat

- ACES II Seat from Aires

With every model I build I try something new.  This time it's the first time I used ALCLAD II paints and I used a special technique for painting the model which was described in a modelling magazine.

The ACLAD II paints - which are really easy to use - were used for the engine, part of the Sidewinders and the APU-exhaust.

For the Sidewinders and the gear oleos, I also used bare-metal-foil.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The painting of the aircraft was done with XTRACOLOR colors. The new method I tried was to first paint the complete camouflage, then preshade the whole plane and then airbrush the camouflage with a thin mix a second time.  Afterwards you only have to use oil-paints for weathering where decals cross the panel lines and nowhere else.  The result looks more realistic to me than doing it in the "normal" way.

Further weathering was done with postshading of several panels, the use of pastels and a TAMIYA "Weatherine Set" which gives realistic results.

 

A real challenge was the elimination of the seam inside the intake which caused a lot of sanding and wasn't easy to paint afterwards.  But it is clearly visible on the finished model if you don't eliminate it.  Otherwise the kit is really a "shake and bake" and really worth the money I paid for it.

Kai

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Photos and text © by Kai Reckstadt