Tamiya 1/48 F-16C/N

[Curt B]

Hi All,

 

Since getting back into building airplane models again, while I've gotten a huge array of jet models in my stash, I haven't yet build one...everything so far have been propellor driven airplanes.  I've had an itch to build my first jet, and decided that I would ease into the jet arena with a Tamiya airplane, and I chose the F-16C/N Aggressor/Adversary kit, of which I have two.  Since I can never seem to leave anything alone, and not having any aftermarket stuff for these kits, I decided that before beginning this, I needed to get some.  So, I have the KA exhaust/afterburner set, and the Eduard stuff I have on the way:

F-16C/D Block 30/40/50/60 GE exhaust nozzle (open and closed) & afterburner set (Tamiya)	MKA MA-48059	1
F-16 early seat	EDU 648001	1
F-16C/N detail set	EDU 49930	1
F-16C/N undercarriage set	EDU 49931	1
F-16C/N masks	EDU EX619	1

Since I decided I wanted to make this airplane into a black/white/grey schemed Alaska-based Aggressor Squadron jet, I also have an Aero Mask set for this jet from Advanced Modeling Products, and, lastly, I have the Quinta QD48037 kit for the cockpit on order.  Anything else anyone can think of that I've overlooked?

 

Once all this stuff arrives, I will be ready to begin this jet journey and I'm looking forward to it!  In the interim, I'm working on my Tamiya Spitfire Mk. 1 and Eduard Bf109 E-3...

[seawinder]

I'm just starting the same kit, but I'm doing it as a Block 32 in light blue/dark blue/neutral gray "Flanker" markings for Nellis. I've got various ACESII seats, but will probably use one from Sierra Hotel. I actually used the kit seat with Eduard PE belts and stuff on the Tamiya Block 25 I did some years ago and thought it looked pretty good. I bought an Eduard PE cockpit set, but only ended up using it for belts and the central section of the IP; I'll probably do the same thing for this one. I'm passing on the KA nozzle because the kit P&W exhaust looks good enough for me. I really like this kit and personally think it builds into a great looking model without a lot of extras.

[BillS]

Curt,

You picked a great kit to make the leap. It is very accurate and the detail oob is rock solid. Even w/o aftrermarket goodies you’d crank out a dang nice replica. Other nice building jets to sample would be the Tamiya F-14 and ZM F-4 just for starters. I mention these because they are recent additions to my own portfolio.

[Curt B]

Thanks, guys.  I knew this Tamiya jet was a good one, which is why I got it.  

 

@BillS, I already have several jet kits in my collection, from which I was going to make my choice for first one to build.  Tamiya-wise, I have (all of these are 1/48) a second F-16C/N, F-117 (plus HumV) and the F-14D.  Zoukei-Mura-wise, I have their F-4C and F-4S, and plan on getting their new F-4E once the later version with wing slats comes out.  I have the ICM MiG-25PD, and the AMK F-14D and MiG-31BM/BSM, two Great Wall F-15C MSIP IIs and their F-15E on the way, their Mig-29 9-13, Su-35s, and their brand new Su-27UB, a HobbyBoss A-6E TRAM Intruder, and A-10, and Eduard MiG-21bis and F-86 Ultimate Sabre, MiG-23BN, two Hasegawa F-18Fs, the Hasegawa and Academy F-22s, the Kitty Hawk Su-17 M3/M4 Fitter K, plus  bunch of helicopters.  I had something of a hard time trying to figure out which one to start with.

Edited November 30, 2020 by Curt B

[BillS]

That’s a nice little pile to keep you going! You might chuck in a Hasegawa A-4 and a Wolfpack T-38 for more trouble free jet building!

[Curt B]

2 minutes ago, BillS said:

That’s a nice little pile to keep you going! You might chuck in a Hasegawa A-4 and a Wolfpack T-38 for more trouble free jet building!

 Thanks for the thought.  Is there a specific Hasegawa A-4 kit that is particularly well engineered/fitting?  It looks like, from Scalemates, that they had a new tooling A-4 in 2000, and have been coming out with new parts for various A-4 kits for many years.  Any of these in particular that you'd recommend, though I'm partial to any variant with the hump on top of the fuselage?

[seawinder]

I'm not aware of any significant engineering/build differences between the various Hasegawa boxings. FWIW I've built one A-4E/F and have an -M in the stash. I did the -E without the hump in high-vis Vietnam colors/markings, and I plan to do the M (obviously with hump) in a low-vis scheme. There are a decent number of appealing AM decals for both versions.

[Rob Mignard]

Great choice Curt. Can’t wait to see your build

[Curt B]

9 hours ago, Rob Mignard said:

Great choice Curt. Can’t wait to see your build

Hi Rob!!  Hope you and the family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Let’s get together again soonest.