I got some questions I have to ask due to my lack of knowledge/research about jets.I recently saw photos of F-16 landing gear wells with wires running down to the wheels. And in some galleries, some modelers add wires to it. Is it true that all F-16s today that is in service, have wires at the landing gears?
Another issue I’m puzzled about. Panel lines shading. I saw some photos of F-16s from different countries recently. Most of the countries maintain their F-16s so well that the panel lines are very crisp and clean, no black shades or signs of dirt. Whereas, the F-16 models I see in most galleries have almost black panel lines and heavy shades, which doesn’t seems to be the case in actual photos.Am I correct to say that?
All aircraft have brake lines going to the wheels. Some aircraft, including the F-16 have wires going to the brake assy for the Anti-skid system. If an aircraft has a landing/taxi light on the gear, a wire will also go to the light.
You are correct that dark shading of panel lines are overdone. I spent 16 years on and around many different aircraft and I can tell you that accented panel lines do not look right. A real aircraft doesn’t have accented panel lines like most models show.
Funny you should mention this. See any panle lines on these?
The firrst one is painted in have glass, all operational F-16 will be coated in this, it weathering poorly and you can clearly see the panel line for any distance. The other 2 ar also operational F-16’s. It depends on what paint was used, where they are operating, and when was the last time they were actually repainted.
Modelers exaggerate panel lines and grit/soot build-up because models are teeny-tiny-small compared to the real thing and visual prompts help the illusion that they’re big. Modellers will use artistic license and style bringing life to little, itty-bitty representations of the real thing.
Well, I see. I suppose then it depends on the aircraft you are building on, whether it has rough panel lines or not in the actual subject. For instance, this one.
Depends on the picture as well, in this one you can make out some lines but it’s due to the distance from the A/C. Oddly this is something Ive had trouble even accomplishing, a good panel wash that is. I think that the trick is to reach a balance between the scale and perception.
