Kinetic 1/48 F 16 Block 52+ HAF

[iceman98]

Hello fellow modelers, let me introduce you myself. My name is Thanos, I am a mechanics student from Athens, Greece. One of my passions are airplanes. I spend the most of my day in home, due to the corona virus outbreak. So, I started scrolling in YouTube and I found lots of aircraft modeling videos. I didn’t waste any time and I bought my first kits, (2 Eduard Spitfires (1/72) and a Kinetic F 16 Block 52+ HAF (1/48), which are actually my favorite aircrafts), paints and an H&S Ultra 2 in 1 airbrush. I had almost no experience in scale modeling (only a Revell A320 and a Revell Leopard 2A6, almost 5 years ago), but I have a lot of experience in general manufacturing, as I used to spend the most of my day in my university’s laboratories, prior to virus outbreak.

I made this thread in order to share some photos of the Kinetic’s F 16 and also to ask about advices from people who have built this kit. Also, I would like to ask if someone knows a correct mixture for the Aegean Ghost paint scheme (Correct me if I am wrong, I think that’s also an Aggressors scheme). For the Spitfires I will make another thread.  

[JackMan]

 

Welcome, iceman

 

Take a look at these two videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAiMdgqZosc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCLpZYRSCgo&t=3s

 

They both have stated what paints they used for the Aegean Ghost. The 2nd video shows what mixtures he used for Tamiya paints ( click on 'Show More" in the description of the video)

 

Good luck

Edited April 20, 2020 by JackMan

[iceman98]

1 hour ago, JackMan said:

 

Welcome, iceman

 

Take a look at these two videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAiMdgqZosc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCLpZYRSCgo&t=3s

 

They both have stated what paints they used for the Aegean Ghost. The 2nd video shows what mixtures he used for Tamiya paints ( click on 'Show More" in the description of the video)

 

Good luck

Dear Jackman

 

I've already seen these videos. Also I ve bought the paints mentioned in the second one but the problem is that I can't find the mixtures. Also I tried to contact the modeler of the second video (without success).

 

[iceman98]

In the link you can find some pictures of the finished cockpit (before and after the installation).

 

I ve used reference photos from a book called "Vipers under the skin". Also I found that some swithes in the Kinetic's cockpit are wrong, but I am ok with that.  I ve used AK's 3rd gen acrylics for as base colors (Intense black as priming and then I sprayed 80% sky gray + 20% england grey as base color). For the details I also used some AKs 3rd gen, some TAMIYA acrylics and Humbrol Enamels. 

I used 0.2mm Nozzle, cause my H&S Ultra came with 0.2mm aircap as an 0.4mm aircap (I am waiting for the replacement part, a known issue to them for the lattest batches). For detailing I used DaVinci NOVA 10/0 and Winsor and Newton 111 3/0 synthetic brushes.

Any ideas for shading are welcome 😉.

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eu2kA91nETDNGAhxHztZ5CAMXQjIr1qP

 

 

Edited April 23, 2020 by iceman98

[iceman98]

Today I started working on the inlet. I made some fitting testing und I painted it inside. I used white with very little sky gray, also I used Mr.Surfacer 1200 in order to fill some gaps. In the link you can find photos of the processes.

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10qYJymuJGY2zEJDbf5_ZPCpRW3Z8x8aI

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by iceman98

[iceman98]

Hello fellow modelers

Today I painted the exhaust nozzle and the afterburner chamber, also I weathered them alongside with the inlet.

 

• Afterburner chamber and middle part:

As you can see in the pictures I tried to fill some flaws caused by the mould. At first I painted with AK's 3rd gen Intense White mixed with only a little of Sky Grey. Then I sprayed some smoke lines (following my referense pictures and my experience with the engine) with Intense Black, in the end I further weathered it with a mix (using again the refernce pictures) of Winsor & Newton Wintor Ivory Black and Abteilung Dark Rust oil paints (I used a No 8 Synthetic Flat Brush). I didn't thin the mix prior to the application (as this oils have relatively low viscosity), but I only used AK's odorless enamel thinner to remove the excess paint. I used the same processes for the afterburner chamber and the exhaust nozzle connector but I tried to make a heavier weathering, using two tones of the weathering mix (a blacker and a browner one).

 

 

• Exhaust nozzle:

For the inside part of the exhaust nozzle I used a mix of White and Medium Grey mix, trying to replicate the ceramic material. And I weathered it using different tones of the weathering mixture. The most difficult part was the exterior painting. As a base I painted it black and then with natural steel metalic color. I made a mix using black and medium grey to paint the smoke and then I tried to shade every fin using the previous weathering mix (Ivory Black and Dark rust). 

 

 

• Inlet:

Using (you guessed right) the weathering mix I tried to weather the inlet of the aircraft (which is also my favorite part of the aircraft along with CFTs).

 

 

After the weathering I used AK's 3rd gen Matt Varnish to secure the paint.

Sorry for the quality of the pictures I am using my mobile phone. 

 

Links for pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a1G8_FEy3AR-wbIQWkQCrUpAYOckwF64?usp=sharing (Exhaust+ Afterburner Chamber)

                                 https://drive.google.com/open?id=10qYJymuJGY2zEJDbf5_ZPCpRW3Z8x8aI (Inlet)

Edited April 21, 2020 by iceman98

[scotthldr]

Kalispera Thanos,

 

Looking good already, hard to believe that you are new to the hobby. You've got some good model shops in Athens Fasma, Kalphakes and Plastimodellismo to meet your needs. Ioannis over at Eagle Aviation was also doing modelling items, not sure if he still is.

 

I built the Kinetic kit a few back and it goes together pretty well, you just need to check and dry fit the parts before applying glue. One area that requires careful attention is the area in front of the canopy where I think there is about parts/panels that make up the nose section.

 

Here's some pictures of the one I did, I used the Aires exhaust along with Carbon Fibre decals and Aires cockpit.

 

 

 

[iceman98]

32 minutes ago, scotthldr said:

Kalispera Thanos,

 

Looking good already, hard to believe that you are new to the hobby. You've got some good model shops in Athens Fasma, Kalphakes and Plastimodellismo to meet your needs. Ioannis over at Eagle Aviation was also doing modelling items, not sure if he still is.

 

I built the Kinetic kit a few back and it goes together pretty well, you just need to check and dry fit the parts before applying glue. One area that requires careful attention is the area in front of the canopy where I think there is about parts/panels that make up the nose section.

 

Here's some pictures of the one I did, I used the Aires exhaust along with Carbon Fibre decals and Aires cockpit.

 

 

 

Thank you very much for your reply. I will be carefull with the fit, also I will consider buying a resin exhaust nozzle. I would like to ask if you drilled the holes in order to place the CFTs and which colours did you use for the camo. 

Also I would like to ask how can I directly upload pictures.

[scotthldr]

Colours for the Aegean Scheme are

FS35237 Blue (X126)

FS36251 Dark Grey (X132)

FS36307 Light Grey (X134)

 

I use Xtracolor enamels which I've included (X***) above as well.

 

I can't remember if I drilled the CFT fitment holes or just lined them up using the panel lines for guidance.

 

You can now upload directly from your computers own files by clicking on the attachment icon at the bottom of the reply box, or if you have Flickr get the BBCode and copy the link.

 

Edited April 21, 2020 by scotthldr

[iceman98]

Thank you very much for your reply, I will have a look at them. 

As you can see I have already started update my posts this time including the pictures.

[Alternative 4]

Very impressive for your first model. You have a bright future in this hobby.

[iceman98]

9 hours ago, Alternative 4 said:

Very impressive for your first model. You have a bright future in this hobby.

Thank you very much, I love airplanes (Which are also a part of my studies), but unfortunately I have limited time (prior to coronavirus). 

[iceman98]

I had a small accident with the exhaust nozzle so I had to stip down the paint and repaint it. I think I saved it, I will post some pictures from today's work later.

[iceman98]

Today I did the first major dry fit, for first time I saw the model looked like an F-16. Also I was able to save the exhaust inlet.

 

• Dry Fit:

I used 12mm masking tape to hold the parts in place, I was really impressed with the fitting. I have spotted some imperfections but nothing major.

 

 

• Wheel Bay:

Today I almost finished the assembly of the main wheel bay. I made preshadowing using black colour and then I painted white. Also, I made a dry fitting with the lower part of the fuselage.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by iceman98

[iceman98]

• Exhaust Nozzle:

Yesterday I had an accident with the varnish so...I decided to make a repair. I cleared the most of the paint and then repainted it, I believe that I achieved a better result.

 

 

Tomorrow I will finish weathering the nozzle and the landing gear bay. If I will find time I will start gluing the fuselage.

Edited April 22, 2020 by iceman98

[iceman98]

Last two days I was busy doing my stuff. So I only made some modifications in the main wheel bay. Specifically I added some copper wires to recrate some of the pipelines and wire harness parts. In order to install them I made some modifications on the middle panel. Also I did the first complete dry fit of the wheel bay. In the end I weathered up the exhaust nozzle.

 

 

But today I really made big progress, I finished weathering on wheel bays and finally I glued the inlet and the main wheel bay with the fuselage. I made some dry fitting, so I managed to have a good result. The inlet was a little bit tricky and needed a lot of sanding and putty, but in the end the result was satisfying. Tomorrow I am planning to glue the three fuselage parts. I have also finished the assembly of the weapons and the drop off tanks. I use as a reference picture of a F 16D Block52+, so I am planning to use 2 370 gallon tanks, 2 Iris Ts, 2 120 AMRAAMs and 2 AGM 88 HARMs, allong with the CFTs and LANTIRN targeting and naviagation pods.

 

 

It may looks overweathered, but I think that the result is very close with the reference picture. HAF's F 16 are really weathered, due to their use.

Edited April 25, 2020 by iceman98

[scotthldr]

Looking good, the wheel bays especially👍

 

What picture are you using as reference, the reason I ask is that I've never seen a Hellenic F-16 loaded with both the AGM-88 and the LANTRIN pods at the same time, it's either one or the other depending on which Squadron 340 or 343 Mira. 337 Mira also use the Blk52+ but in an air defense role so wouldn't be seen with either.

 

 

[iceman98]

31 minutes ago, scotthldr said:

Looking good, the wheel bays especially👍

 

What picture are you using as reference, the reason I ask is that I've never seen a Hellenic F-16 loaded with both the AGM-88 and the LANTRIN pods at the same time, it's either one or the other depending on which Squadron 340 or 343 Mira. 337 Mira also use the Blk52+ but in an air defense role so wouldn't be seen with either.

 

 

Thank you very much!!!

 

You are right I hadn't clearly the image in my mind. It was a F 16D From 343 but without LANTIRN.

 

I had some issues with the inlet, but I think that I managed to solve them. Fortunately part behind the front wheel bay sits almost perfect, it has some issues with panel alignment, but it doesn't look like my fault.

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by iceman98

[iceman98]

I will propably go for a configuration based on this picture. I think that it has a Sidewinder and an Iris T, but I will use 2 Iris T. I think that it's a F 16 from 343.

 

 

[scotthldr]

Looks  like the 343M tail band, it’s hard to make out on my phone, certainly a 343M load out, although don’t know why the artist put an IRIS-T and an AIM-9 on it?

[iceman98]

About the picture, I find it at higher resolution the left "Iris T" wasn't a missile but the launcher. But the 2 AMRAAM, 2 IRIS T and 2 AGM 88 configuration is used by 343 Moira.

 

[scotthldr]

👍 such a menacing looking a/c. 

[iceman98]

Today I finally assemblied the three fuselaga parts. There weren't many fitting issues, but before the final assembly, I made lots of dry fittings. The biggest issue I had was with the gun cover, which had a slightly smaller curvature, after extensive use of putty and sanding, I think that I manage to fix it.

 

 

As for the nose section I hadn't too much problems, but I haven't glued the nose and the side panels yet. The CFTs dry fitting was also really good, I didn't open holes and I positioned them using their silhouette.

 

 

[Vaildog]

I can’t believe you killed Ironman

 

 

[iceman98]

Hello again!!! Today I found out that there is also and a WIP topic in the forum, so I will also post some images there. 

As you can see in the pictures I glued the CFTs and assembled the vertical stabilizer. The CFTs' fitting was really good, especially on the left one. While building the vertical stabilizer the following question came into my mind: should I paint the vertical stabilizer and the fuselage separately and then glue them or glue them and paint them together?