Hey y’all! Here I am with another Shelf of Doom rescue. This kit was a freebie, thrown in with some purchases that I made at a local model swap meet. It’s not a great kit, so I decided I’d have some fun with it. As you can see, this one is well on its way. I’m only going to say it’s a WIF for now. Once I get some of its markings painted, I’ll let you guess where I’m going with it.
I’ll be working on this one in the background. My primary focus will be on my A-6E Intruder. The Phantom and this one will be my B and C projects respectively.
OK gang, I have picking away at the fiddly bits for my A-6E, and I am continuing with my Shelf of Doom Phantom resurrection. But I have also been tinkering with this WIF. As I said, I got this kit for free and from the beginning, I had a specific idea for it.
Some time ago, I ran across an article for the Vought Model 1600. I can no longer find that article, but I did run across a short write up on Wikipedia. Ever since I first read about a navalized F-16, I wanted to build one.
So, I added some strips of stryene and some engraved lines on the wings to represent wingfolds. I also filled in the dorsal refueling receptable and engraved a door on the starboard side of the fuselage to represent a probe mechanism. I will modify they nosewheel, but that will come later. I decided I’d try to get the markings painted on first. Their success would be the go-no go point of the build. So, getting that done (successfully), would push me to finishing the build.
After making some masks, here’s what I got…
I’m very happy with the results. They came out a lot better than I expected.
As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are always welcome. Feel free to drop your two cents into the bucket on your way out. I always appreciate your feedback!
I’m a big Black Aces fan, but I have to say that the Sundowners markings look much better on this plane. This is turning out to be pretty cool. Can’t wait to see it finished.
OK FSM, I’m calling this one done. I’m sorry I haven’t posted much in the way of WIP photos. Life got too hectic, and time was too precious.
The tail and shark mouth were masks cut on my Silhouette cutter. The mouth isn’t properly centered, but I can live with it. The markings were cobbled together from various sheets in my decal stash. The missiles and wheels were pulled from my spares box. The nose wheel was “scratched” using part of the kit’s plastic as the starting point. The kit is painted with AK Real Colors and weathered with oils.
So, let’s take a look at the photos…
First, I had to fix one of the Sidewinders that had a broken fin. I just shaped a small piece of styrene and called it close enough.
I found the nose gear from what looks to be an F-18, and used it to Frankenstein a carrier suitable nose gear.
It’s not pretty…
…but it worked.
Here are the glamour shots…
And finally…
RAAWWWRRRR!
Wait. Sharks don’t roar, do they?
Anyway, I’m on summer break now and things have quieted down around here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start mashing plastic and consistently posting photos. As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are always welcome. Feel free to drop your two cents into the bucket on your way out. I always appreciate your feedback!
That came together very well. I really like the red intake markings, very reminiscent of the early naval jets. If I didn’t know better, I would swear that belongs on a carrier.
Well, there’s something you don’t normally see. Who would have thought that a Navy F-16 could look so cool. The paint modulation is awesome. Congratulations
