Does anybody know how much a good F-16 Falcon kit (i.e. Tamiya, Revell Monogram, Hasagawa…) would cost? What is your opinion on who makes the best?
You really must specify what scale when you ask this quetion, because there seemingly are as many F-16’s out there as stars in the sky.
I think the ultimate would be the Tamiya 1/32nd kit, which will set you back at least a c-note.
Steve
Hase is a good 1:48 kit, but it has a nasty seam down the middle of the canopy.
It can be buffed out with the right tools though (incl. polishing compound).
Tamiya is set to release a new 1:48 Viper soon at about $55. Lots of people
eagerly waiting for that one. Their 1:32 is considered by many as the best
in it’s class.
Any opinions on the Academy 1/48th Viper? I was considering building up the “Flying Razorback” kit.
Tomiya is releaseing a brand new-tool F-16 any week now. It’s supposedly a scale-down of their 1/32 masterpiece. Looks like the ultimate 1/48 Viper kit, and it ain’t expensive!
Does anyone know where I could get my hands on a set of Israeli Air Force decals for F-16 or F-15 that are reasonably cheap.
Do not waste your money on the Academy F-16 1/48 kit. The wings are about a 1/4 inch thinner than the attachment point on the fuselage. They really missed the mark on this kit. I started it and when I attached the wings I noticed the step between the wing and body. Tried to fill it and sand it but the step is so huge it is impossible to correct. I gave the kit to my little Nephew to slap together. It is a shame because most of their kits are a great value. I my opinion this kit is so poor I feel like I was robbed by Academy. I have seen post here where others here concure.
Soulcrusher
Isradecal makes the best decals for F-16I Sufa and F-15I. Sorry, but they ain’t cheap.
Frank
NEW_b;
here’s the list of 1/48 scale from best to worst as of 01/31/2007
1.) Hasegawa’s, 2.) Italeri’s (Revell Germany 1998 Tiger Meet), 3.) Academy’s, 4.) Italeri’s (OLD), 5.) Revell’s, 6.) Monogram’s, 7.) AMT/Ertyl/ESCI’s, 8.) Tamiya’s (1970’s issue Tamiya is to release one later this year that’ll be #1 and it’s based off their 1/32 scale F-16C blk 50, but I haven’t seen it yet), 9.) Arii, Hobbycraft, and the rest
1/72 scale: 1.) Hasegawa, 2.) ESCI (it hase recessed panel lines for being a early 1980’s kit), 3.) Italeri (Testors), 4.) Revell (1980’s), 5.) Monogram, 6.) the rest
72cuda, are you sure about the 1/72 scale? I think you forgot the new revell kit (the MLU version) it is a very nice and cheap kit…
I am building the acadamy 1/48 kit at he present. It is not a bad kit. If you are one who demands 100% accuracy then forget it. By the way the 15.00 dollar kit is the same kit, as the 30.00 one. The difference is in the decals, You are paying about 15.00 extra for the razorback decals. I havem them both.
I just built this kit, What step are you talking about?
Is that the F-16C Block 50? If so, I agree, it’s a great little kit! [tup]
I’ve built this kit and I agree the filling and sanding at the wing/fuselage joint is pretty intense. Mine never did look right. The joint between the lower and upper wing surfaces isn’t exactly nice either.
The kit cockpit is lacking quite a bit of detail (just decals!), but other than that it’s really not a bad kit. It will look like an F-16 when you’re finished and it is certainly cheaper than other offerings.
If you do buy the Academy kit, go for aftermarket decals. Academy kit decals are awful. Thick and silver easily.
How much would you say they cost?
I’m just glad to know that had trouble with this! I also had trouble with the ejection seat fitting right, it hit the canopy and wouldn’t let it close???
Figure on $15-$17 depending on where you get them, and which sheets. Check Great Models Webstore for a nice selection. Frank
Fjlom thanks for the advice.
NEW_b
lol I basically wrecked my tinted canopy trying to get it out. I bought a squadron tri-grit sanding stick, and it looks a lot better. if it doesnt work, I’ll have to use the clear one… sigh
I’ve only build the Hase one that is about 18 years old, but it is still an excellent kit. since the person who I got it from didnt care for the decals that much, it was yellowed severly, but hanging it in a ziplock bag on the inside of my window made it go away.