Hey folks, I just got a new kit from Hobby Lobby (they were having a 30% off sale, couldn’t pass it up) of the Academy F-16. I’ve been wanting to get an F-16 into my stash for a while now, but the only other offering was a Tamia F-16 (which, if I am remembering correctly, is said to be very good) but with a price tag of nearly $70 USA dollars, was way out of my budget. Even with the sale! So I grabbed the Academy kit (which only cost me $15 in the end) thinking it would be a good kit to mess around with. It says it is optional to build an A or a C version of the plane, but the only difference I can see that the kit has between the two is with the tail.
Is there any more differences between the A/C Falcons? It also looks like a good kit to try some scratch building, especially around the cockpit (geesh! basic, much?). If you good fellows could offer any insight into this model or just for scrach building in general, that would be much appriciated.
Wow…the different F-16’s are kinda confusing! [:S] I wonder which block the Academy kit is supposed to represent…
thanks for the tip about the decals. I was debating wheter or not I should use the kit decals or go for an aftermarket set. If the kit decals are not even going to work…then aftermarket it is!!
If you want to approach it from a different angle, you can look at the serial numbers of the aircraft represented in the kit and then check the aircraft database on F-16.net to see what block the actual aircraft is.
but that will only tell you what block the decals represent…that doesnt mean that all of the correct “lumps n’ bumps” will be on the model itself. Your best bet would be to find a decal set you want to use, look up THAT serial number, and then research that specific block. That way, you can detail your model to fit the decals. Many of the details are small items, such as stiffening plates that some blocks had while others did not…there are several P/E sets for the F-16 that replicate those. In your case, if you post pics of the intake and exhaust nozzle from your kit, I can tell you if you have a standard or “big-mouth” model, and then you can go from there to pick out the right decals and details.
Thank you for all the info about figuring out how to figure out the F-16 block problems. Finding the decals I want and building the plane from there sounds like a mighty fine idea. I am away from home right now, so as soon as I return I’ll post some pics of the intake and exhaust.
Wow. You guys are awesome! I just added a bunch of pages to my favorites list for easy reference. Thank you for all your help. But other than the tricky block business, does this kit build up nice for an easy conversion?
More then likely if the kit can build an A or a C it will only build the Block 15 or higher A which has the larger stabs. Or a “smallmouth C” with the P&W engine. Also check out the tailpipe that will tell you what kind of engine the kit is representing. Hope this helps. JOHN
I dont have pictures of my kit, but this is what it is supposed to build into. Does this help figure out the block designation and other details? …I think this is built into the A version of the Falcon.
