Caracal Decals CMP48503 review

[Niels]

Caracal Decals has for many years now provided an excellent range of decals for the modellers, and have now ventured into aftermarket conversion aswell. 

 

The initial releases hit the market this last month, among them CMP48503 which is a BLOS modified tailbase and cockpit conversion for the Tamiya F-16C. 
Included is

• F-16 tail base with BLOS antenna (installed on most of the USAF F-16 fleet)
• F-16 pitot tube and AOA sensors
• RHAW antennas with RAM panels - drop-in replacements for Tamiya parts A12/A13
• F-16 cockpit front console with CDU  (center display unit)

The cockpit front console is a drop-in replacement for the kit parts, requiring no modifications at all. The BLOS modification (Beyond Line Of Sight), is a communication update that grew out of the vast distances when operating amongst others over Afganistan and other remote places, allowing radio contact between the jet and the base with minimal problems. 
The cockpit update includes the new CDU, Center Display Unit, something that I have been sorely missing in order to bring the F-16 kits up to recent standards. The CDU is a new feature of the block 70/72 update, and even if the USAF formally is not part of the block 70/72 upgrade program, most if not all the updates have already been incorporated across the US F-16 fleet. Other users in the process of modifying their jets to the block 70/72 standard is Greece, Marocco and others. 
The BLOS tailbase is cleaverly crafted to fit the kit tail, allowing for easy alignment when mouting it on the kit, something that otherwise can be a bit tricky. You can see how the tail alignment pin extend below the BLOS tailbase from this upgrade kit. 

The first batch was quickly sold out, but will there will be future re-releases later this year, and I believe including one with the WAR hud of the block 40/42.
The pictures are a mix of mine showing how nicely they fit the kit, and those of Caracal Decals to show the detailing included.    
Highly recommended!  

[Stephen]

Nice review, thanks for posting.

[RichB63]

Thanks for the review!

[strikeeagle801]

I opened my box today with the two that I had ordered and was very surprised to see that there was no protective box or container for the sets...that they were just wrapped in bubble wrap in the shipping box. They arrived in one piece, and they look good, but as a small critique, I would appreciate some type of box or container for future sets to keep them protected not only during shipping, but also during storage after they are received. 

 

Aaron 

[Niels]

@strikeeagle801 Caracal decals is working on the packing so this will be improved in the future. Kursad informed about this on the launch topic in his forum. 
 

[strikeeagle801]

Yes, I did see that. I am glad that he is working on that. Iook forward to seeing that in future releases. I think he will do well in this area. 

 

Aaron 

[Niels]

With Caracal decals releasing the WAR HUD version shortly and having refound the building mojo, I thought I would share a couple of photos of the new CDU display used on the Tamiya kit. Model will be 91-0353 in the livery as carried in 2021-22 period. 
For those of us building with the pilot seated and possibly in flight, be aware that you need to trim the legs in order to allow the IP to fit. But once adapted it fits like a glove 🙂
The clear part was a piece of clear sheet 3x5mm and then rounded at the top to reflect the real thing. 

Edited January 25 by Niels

[LDM]

On 1/25/2025 at 6:43 AM, Niels said:

Model will be 91-0353 in the livery as carried in 2021-22 period. 

I don't mean to derail the purpose of this thread, detract from your build, or even know if this is something you care about, but it's my understanding that the Shaw-based Block 50s don't have the CDU.  Here's a screenshot from one of the Viper Demo pilot's Instagram reels showing 91-0395 with the regular center console.

 

If someone with first-person knowledge corrects me I'll gladly admit I'm wrong, but I was planning a future build of the same airframe and all my research from publicly available sources points to not having the CDU upgrade.  Again, I hope this isn't taken as negativity towards your model.

[RichB63]

2 hours ago, LDM said:

I don't mean to derail the purpose of this thread, detract from your build, or even know if this is something you care about, but it's my understanding that the Shaw-based Block 50s don't have the CDU.  Here's a screenshot from one of the Viper Demo pilot's Instagram reels showing 91-0395 with the regular center console.

 

If someone with first-person knowledge corrects me I'll gladly admit I'm wrong, but I was planning a future build of the same airframe and all my research from publicly available sources points to not having the CDU upgrade.  Again, I hope this isn't taken as negativity towards your model.

 

Good catch! @eraucubsfan made the same observation a while back on the Caracal sub forum. I'm no Viper expert, but from what I've gleaned, there are several airframes still awaiting the cockpit upgrade, including 91-0395.

 

-Rich

 

Edited January 28 by RichB63

[Niels]

It is correct that 91-0395 is still unmodified. I suspekt this is because it is a demo jet and hence not prioritized. The introduction of the CDU in the fleet goes piecemeal one at a time but have been for quite a while already. Add to that each unit has different priorities. The state run ANG units flying the F-16 has as an example installed the "birdslicers" on the block 40/42 fleet while the regular AF has not. Just an example.
There is also the fact that 91-0353 is both a bird of notority as MiG killer and the squadron CO's bird, and will hence be prioritized I assume when mods comes around? In the end, it will be nearly impossible to get full accuracy at anyone time and honestly I don't mind - I'll still build it as i see it 🙂.
It is still good to finally get the option of the CDU on the market. 

Edited January 28 by Niels