Devinelounge Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 My second model in ten years, first was 87-0290, also a 1/48th Tamiya Viper that I finished a couple of months ago. I got a decent result, but am definitely a bit rusty, and it was a challenging build. This time around I wanted to get more practice in with resin, so I added the detail sets pictured below. I started with the loadout pictured below while waiting for the cockpit set to arrive. I’ll move onto the cockpit after painting and finishing these bits off over the next few days. Happy for any tips or advice from others who built this kit as I go along! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Wow that's a lot of aftermarket, can't wait to see it coming together! Stupid question: if you are using a replacement nozzle and replacement decals, why do you start with the F-16N bowing wich is more expensive than the regular F-16C/CJ boxings? Are there other parts specific to this version? Arnaud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted September 30, 2020 Author Share Posted September 30, 2020 Hi again, Arnaud 🙂 Good question. I picked this up before I decided to go full-fledged aftermarket. But good to know the CJ boxings are cheaper for future builds. Keep in touch with how your in-flight F-16 build goes too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Haha, don't we all start with a naked kit and then "seize improvement opportunities" 😂 I will definitely post the QF-16 build when I start it, quite a bit of backlog at the moment though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted November 14, 2020 Author Share Posted November 14, 2020 Hi there, quick update here. I was on a bit of hiatus while moving, but have finished painting and decaling the weapons followed by a quick wash. I definitely knocked off the tips of a couple of GBU 12s more times that I'd like to admit, and also had to strip and repaint one of the fuel tanks after a spill during the wash..glad that's done. Hoping to do some additional weathering later on before attaching these during final assembly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted November 14, 2020 Author Share Posted November 14, 2020 Also almost done with the Aires cockpit. Unfortunately, I lost a few PE/resin details for the top of the seat, side wall, and one of the panels so I'm going to replace those bits before giving a final flat coat. I think I also shaved a bit too much off of the sides of the forward housing bit the HUD sits on because it doesn't fit flush with the kit piece once installed, and will probably need a bit of filler and sanding to fill the small gap there. Getting this to fit was way more difficult than I thought, but I think it's only my second time using a resin cockpit set, so I'll take it as a learning experience. Next up is fitting the Aires wheel bay into the kit and also integrating the seamless intake. Will check in with another update once the cockpit is finalized and the wheel bay is underway over the next couple of weeks. stay tuned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Nice work so far. FYI, If your posing your jet on it's gear, you may want to droop those seaker heads, on the GBU's, downward. They only point straight in the airstream or, if they have all the safety devices still installed. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 Thanks, Steve! Yeah, it'll definitely be on its gear so I'll see if I can modify the angle of those. Appeciate your insight there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted November 20, 2020 Author Share Posted November 20, 2020 Some test fitting my of aires wheel bay and seamless intake. I also removed air brakes to make way for Eduard's set with my new favorite UMM saw saw tool. This worked an awful lot better than the wobbly Xacto saw I tried to use on my last one 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted December 13, 2020 Author Share Posted December 13, 2020 Finished painting the landing gear bits, and it was definitely a challenge attempting to paint all the various cables and hoses that are molded onto the Aires set. Brush painting isn't really my strong suit, and if I had it my way I would airbrush everything. But I do really like the copper wire they provided, definitely doing more of that in my next build. All in all, pleased with my first resin wheel bay attempt. On to the engine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 Nice progress, looks good. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 That is looking really, really good I notice the data plates nice touch. It's such a shame you'll have to flip that Viper over for display. Are you going to add the hydraulic lines to the landing gear. It's tedious work but a nice touch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 Quick update on engine painting before moving onto some other odds and ends before hopefully painting the rest of the aircraft soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Nice. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 Awesome work. I love the cockpit and the landing gear bay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devinelounge Posted February 8 Author Share Posted February 8 Thanks, Thadeus! The reason for lack of recent updates is there was a mishap where the model fell, and both the cockpit and landing gear became dislodged within the assembled fuselage, as well as the airbrakes and radome breaking off. After debating whether or not to quit the hobby forever for a day or two, I managed to salvage it. The cockpit and landing gear fit isn't quite perfect, but decided to give it my best and take some lessons learned along the way. Finally moving onto painting the body soon! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 5 hours ago, Devinelounge said: Thanks, Thadeus! The reason for lack of recent updates is there was a mishap where the model fell, and both the cockpit and landing gear became dislodged within the assembled fuselage, as well as the airbrakes and radome breaking off. After debating whether or not to quit the hobby forever for a day or two, I managed to salvage it. The cockpit and landing gear fit isn't quite perfect, but decided to give it my best and take some lessons learned along the way. Finally moving onto painting the body soon! Oof- I’m sorry to hear that, b it glad you were able to continue. Very nice progress to date! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Excellent work all around. Good luck with your progress and keep up your updates. Your kit looks as it will be a real stunner. Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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