achterkirch Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 So I’m looking into doing one of their block 30 jets from around 92 into 93. Specifically either 85-1455 or 85-1458. I’m using the 1/72 Tamiya F-16 and I know most of the tweets that I need to do like add the lights to the main gear and delete them off of the nose gear, make a small mouth intake (hardest part) and swap out the later bulged MLG doors for the earlier one’s. but one thing I cant really find out is if those jet were fitted with the beer can RWR on the wing leading edge. I can’t remember if the block 30 had those standard from the factory or if they were a retro fit later on. Does any body know if they had them around this point? One more thing too, did the 86 TFW use the shallow or deep ALQ-131? Also so here’s a full list of tweaks that I have made is there anything else I should add? -Fill two chaff and flare buckets on port side (not the ones right across from each other) -Add lights to the main gear and delete them off NLG door -Make a small mouth intake -Use older style block 30 wheels -Battery is blue -Add actuator to NLG door -Tail top beacon needs to be square? -Early style main gear doors and actuators -Smaller center line pylon off a Revell kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 Here you go brother, greatest F-16 reference portal in the world! (Yes, 'beercan' RWR relocated to wings on block 30/32 Vipers). http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article6.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) Block 30/32 did not originally have the beer cans on the LEFs. They were part of the ALR-56 mod (replacing ALR-69) that rolled out in 1993 and was fitted to the fleet over a period of years. So in ‘92 your jet would not yet have the beer cans, and maybe / maybe not in ‘93 or ‘94 or ???. You will have to check dated photos to confirm. Here is a pic of 85-1455 dated June 1993 and the beer cans do not appear to be present. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/65242 The AirDoc book on USAFE Vipers covers the 86th during this time period. Pics of 1412, 1456, 1466, 1469, 1474 do not show the -56 antennas. It’s probably safe to say these jets didn’t get modded until they rotated back to the States and went to various ANG / Reserve units. . Edited August 24, 2019 by habu2 added pic link Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 I stand corrected! Great info there, great pic as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 This photo from Wikipedia clearly shows the "shallow" ALQ-131: But this shot from F-16.net *seems* to show the deep pod: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) I wonder if you'd be better off starting from the Revell "A" and adding the "C" tail and GE engine? Much easier than backdating the Tamiya. I also needed an early "C" for my Vermont ANG Viper and although it's a Block 25, most of the rest might apply to your planning. Yours would be simpler with this approach from mine since you'd retain the Sidewinder wingtip rails, and it's already a small-mouth; wheels and landing lights are already what you need. An Aries GE exhaust for the Hasegawa F-16 would fit perfectly (my build has the Aires PW exhaust for the Hasegawa, and it fit like a glove). Here's the build with more details and how it worked: https://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal16/15201-16300/gal15241-F-16-Desautels/00.shtm Edited August 25, 2019 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy said: I wonder if you'd be better off starting from the Revell "A" and adding the "C" tail and GE engine? I also needed an early "C" for my Vermont ANG Viper and although it's a Block 25, most of the rest might apply to your planning. Yours would be simpler with this approach from mine since you'd retain the Sidewinder wingtip rails, and it's already a small-mouth; wheels and landing lights are already what you need. An Aries GE exhaust for the Hasegawa F-16 would fit perfectly (my build has the Aires PW exhaust for the Hasegawa, and it fit like a glove). Here's the build with more details and how it worked: https://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal16/15201-16300/gal15241-F-16-Desautels/00.shtm Thats a great build Andrew! I thought about doing that as I have a Revell c in the stash but the Tamiya kit has more detail then the Revell and I wanted to try and make a conversion anyways for the small mouth intake so I can make other C versions. The Aires PW exhaust will work on the kit too and I wanted to make more versions that have the small mouth intake so I figured I would make a conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 Thanks everyone for your info so far! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 On 8/25/2019 at 9:56 AM, Quixote74 said: This photo from Wikipedia clearly shows the "shallow" ALQ-131: ....... But this shot from F-16.net *seems* to show the deep pod: ....... Note the first photo is of an early Block 30 and the second photo is of a Block 25. This indicates the photos are from different time periods as the 86th would not have a wing of jets with different engines (PW & GE) at the same time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 (edited) (Deleted double post) Edited September 28, 2019 by habu2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 The 86TFW started conversion from the F-4E to the F-16C block 25 during 1986, but the transition was extended into 1987 as they switched to F-16C block 30 with GE engines. So the 2 lower ones are from 1986. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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