What F-16 model should I go with?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Good morning all.

I want to do an F-16 model and would like some of you guys suggestions about what is a good one to choose. The last one that I built was a Revell/Monongram. It was an O.K. build, but I have found that some of the other guys are producing models that well, build easier. ( less flash, seams, better fit, etc. etc. ) I have found f-16’s in 1/48 scale from Italeri, Hasagawa, and Academy to name a few. What are your suggestions? I have gone through an Academy phase with their Mig-29 and SU-27, but i don’t want to rule the other companys out. I do not plan on doing any aftermarket parts, ( no burners, cockpits, etc ) maybe just different decals. What is a good kit to choose?

Thanks for any help in advance.

P.S. I HATE drop tanks.

2

Sizemore,

Would you consider a 1:1 scale made by General Dynamics[?][?][?] We have them here at Shaw Air Force Base[^] All you have to do is join up[:-^][(-D][(-D][(-D]

Seriously, the three companies you named all have a great reputation so it’s almost a tossup[%-)] Drop tanks don’t have to be installed just rework where they mount if necessary[:D]

Richard

3

I built the hasegawa F-16 block 50 and thoroghly enjoyed that build. If you do the hasegawa, get the black box or similar aftermarket cockpit set - it really enhances the model.

4

I think the Hasegawa kit is the best, its far better than the Italeri. I haven’t tried the Academy kit so I can’t tell you about that, but when I look for a new F-16 I always go for the Hasegawa kits.

5

Sizemore;
well the best is Hasegawa’s, the Academy’s is fair ( a knock off of Hasegawa’s but minus the detail in the front office ), Italeri’s is not to bad but same with the Academy’s but it’s there own design, and the rest are of the prototype and updated a little but for correct dimensions the Hasegawa’s the ringer, and if you want to do the earlier A blocks then there are aftermarket kits to do the Blocks 2, 5, & 10’s, but the Blocks 15 to 52’s are in the boxes, the only flaw is the ejection seat it doesn’t have the belts and the correct cushion details,

6

Hey 72cuda, I would like to know more about that block 2,5 and 10 aftermarket stuff, Who makes it? and where do I get it ?
Im not up to date with the F-16 kits, isn’t there a block 60 kit ??

7

monrad;
well a few years back I think Aires ran the intake & hoz stabs of the block 2 to 10’s (intake has panels that where a different shape then on the others and has the VHF and ILS antennas under the inlet lip instead of between the ventral fins in the tail, and the stab doesn’t have the 45 dergree cut outs and is flush with the speed brakes) and if it’s not in production then EvilBay might be the next place to get them, also you could modify the kits parts to make the Early block F-16’s, and there is a Block 60 but thats for the country of UAE and hasn’t gone into productio yet, and the USAF may purchase these to replace the older 16’s too, but haven’t heard if its a go or not

8

Thanks!!! I’ll look around for it.
I work as an aircraft mechanic on block 10 and 15s you see, so I would like to build them as models, but the block 10 stuff is hard to find.

9

monrad;
also I think Hasegawa had ran a block 10 Dane F-16 with the speed brake housing in the tail, but I haven’t see it in the new Hasegawa catalogs but in the 2001 catalog there was 1 that looks like the blk 10

10

I think Hasegawa have just released a Belgian F-16 block 10, maybe I should try to find it.

11

Hey monrad;
tell me if you found one and if you can give me their info on whose selling it so I could get one so I could back date it to one of my old units USAF planes

12

Will do…If I can find it.

13

OK I found it on hobbylink japan, HSG09545 1/48 F-16A Fighting Falcon Tiger meet 03.
Its on preorder as an April 2004 release, so they should have it soon. Price is 2,900 yen thats about $27.

14

how bout a hasegawa f-16a plus the royal norwegian airforce. I built it 6 years ago and like it a lot. But then Im norwegian :}

[:)][:)]

15

monrad;
thanks for the info, this really kicks butt, I could never fine an Early 16 that worth anything the Italeri is okay but it has a bunch of flaws, and I’d preffer the Hasegawa’s over anyone elses because of the cockpit detail and the ease of making them it’s like just through glue & paint in the box with the kit and shake the box and WELLA a show stopper F-16 fall out of the box ready for display

16

Triumf, its always nice with another scandinavian onboard.
There is one problem with the norwegian F-16A…well 2 problems.
1st. they have drag shutes.
2nd. All of the block 10s have been refitted with block 15 wings.
This means I would have to make some changes to the kit to make a danish F-16A block 10, but the belgian block 10 is more or lees the same.