Hajo L. Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 This is my next project, type is "What if?". I will build the CAS-version of the F-16, dubbed A-16 and designed to replace the A-10... The Revell kit of the 1/72 F-16C will be the base for this project: The cockpit was quickly done... ...as well as the main fuselage: HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 Not knowing enough about modern jets to know whether there was talk about an actual A-16 or not, I went looking on the web. A couple of finds, http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article18.html Quote The F-16s from the 174th were deployed to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm, but the project proved to be a miserable failure. Precision aiming was impossible for several reasons: The pylon mount isn't as steady as the A-10's rigid mounting; The F-16 flies much faster than an A-10, giving the pilots too little time approaching the target; Firing the gun shook the aircraft harshly and made it impossible to control; Essential CCIP (continuously computed impact point) software was unavailable. Pilots ended up using the gun as an area effect weapon, spraying multiple targets with ammunition, producing an effect rather like a cluster bomb. It took only a couple of days of this before they gave up, unbolted the gun pods, and went back to dropping real cluster bombs - which did the job more effectively. The F/A-16C plan was quietly forgotten. The USAF still has plans to replace the A-10 with F-16s, but they no longer involve 30mm gun pods (or, apparently, a designation with an "A" in it). And https://theaviationgeekclub.com/heres-f-16s-cas-variants-failed-replace-10-warthog/ Quote The type was to have received the ‘Block 60’ designation; however, the A-16 never went into production due to a Nov. 26, 1990 Congressional directive to the USAF mandating that it retain two wings of A-10s. A second outcome of that directive was a decision by the USAF that, instead of upgrading the A-10, it would seek to retrofit 400 Block 30/32 F-16s with new equipment to perform both CAS and battlefield air interdiction (BAI) missions. The project which was called F/A-16 featured new systems such as a digital terrain-mapping system and a Global Positioning System (GPS) for improved navigational and weapons delivery accuracy, as well as an Automatic Target Handoff System (ATHS) to allow direct digital target/mission data exchange between the pilot and ground units. This approach, however, was dropped in January 1992 in favor of equipping Block 40/42 F-16C/Ds with Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pods. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Yep, I read those articles, too, and that´s why my "A-16" is a "what if". What if they were able to overcome the vibrations of the podded 30mm? 😉 HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 Sorry for not posting much, but somehow a F-16 is not that entertaining during building (at least for everyone else except the modeller). Just worked along and have "luck" today, since my younger daughter is sick and can´t go to kindergarten. My wife has important business today, so I stay at home instead of going to work. Added the podded sensors on the air intake: I think I can start painting this evening! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Now comes the fun part! Viper in Lizard - sexy! 😍 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Oh yes!! This is the first coat, a brighter green: Then I added the dark green: I hope to paint the final gunship grey tomorrow. HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 Added Gunship grey: And then all smaller things, like the canopy: A clear coat for the decal application: HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Decals and weapons are placed! I used an old 30mm GEPOD from the Italeri F-15E - it barely fits under the belly! More pictures when I have a chance to take them outside. HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 It´s done! I used the kits decals, only had to replace the "stars'n'bars" because they were pretty bright grey, nearly white. The load-out is pretty "dumb", but I ran out of Mavericks and therefor decided to hang CBUs and the GEPOD only. And with the aircraft that the F/A-16 was scheduled to replace...: HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Looks pretty real to me! Nice job!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Hajo, you really know how to pick aircraft that look awesome in camo. That hud really stands out nice through the canopy. Great job, they look nice together but as far as F-16 being able to replace the A-10... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainObvious Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I really like the look of these colors on the F-16. Nice job! -co Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 They might could be characterized as "Those ain't real? Well, lookin' at them models, they fer dang sure shoulda been!" 😎 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 Thank you, guys! I was a pleasure to build, and I´m already working on the next project (the "GrowLear"), and have another one in the pipeline! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
laquille Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 I have a question: Where did you get centerline gun pod? Can't find good picture on internet to try scratch build. ( I just ordered decals from Caracals) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 Uops, my old thread... The GunPod is from the old F-15E kit of Italeri: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/italeri-166-f-15e-strike-eagle--110001 HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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