Planegeek Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Hi All, Got a gift card for Squadron and picked up the Block 25/42 F-16C. I have some decals for a Torrejon C model, but its a block 30D with the big mouth intake. I searched for some resin intakes but they seem to all be in China. Is there a good resin option? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 All MLU jets have the NSI small mouth inlet, as they started as Block 15 A/B jets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 F-16 F110 Engine Integrated Intake “Big Mouth”, Fab Scale Fa48093 Alternatively put out a request in the market place to see if anyone can spare sprue "J" from ie Kinetic 48105/48107/48146 kits? 1456665-51-instructions.pdf 1558126-10-instructions.pdf 1482716-54-instructions.pdf (Sprue J contains what you need for a big mouth Viper if in doubt) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Planegeek Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Thanks, the Kinetic kit was on sale, and comes with some nice decals for reserve jets. I was just going to try to use decals I already had for TJ jets I worked. I was also at Hahn which did have Block 25s, but the only decals for those I've seen are inaccurate. But the 80s are getting a little hazy in spots... I ordered a Fab intake and we'll see how it fits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sigtau Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 5 hours ago, Planegeek said: Thanks, the Kinetic kit was on sale, and comes with some nice decals for reserve jets. I was just going to try to use decals I already had for TJ jets I worked. I was also at Hahn which did have Block 25s, but the only decals for those I've seen are inaccurate. But the 80s are getting a little hazy in spots... I ordered a Fab intake and we'll see how it fits. That aftermarket intake is only the duct, you still need the outer parts of the big mouth intake from the Kinetic big mouth kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 On 1/4/2025 at 1:59 AM, habu2 said: All MLU jets have the NSI small mouth inlet, as they started as Block 15 A/B jets. Not all of them. All of our remaining block 10 (including block 1/5 airframes) F-16s went through MLU too. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Did your Block 1/5/10 jets not get upgraded to Block 15 long before MLU? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 31 minutes ago, habu2 said: Did your Block 1/5/10 jets not get upgraded to Block 15 long before MLU? The block 1/5/10 remained block 1, 5 or 10 until the MLU update, despite in many cases receiving upgrades that brought them ultimately up to block 15 spec. Blocks1 and 5 was initially brought up to block 10 standard. For example the antenna on the intake lip remained in place on the block 1/5/10's while the block 15 had it between the vertcail strakes under the engine. They did get the ability to mount pods on the intake chin however, which originally was only a block 15 feature. There are other mods aswell, but not able to list everything. F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 I am pretty sure our block 10s did not have the ability to mount pods on the intakes. Also, the stabs remained the earlier type. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Admittedly it's been 20+ years since I actively worked the program, but I remember when we send out software updates to A/B users they were identified as Block 15 (SCU, OCU, etc). I guess a better description was the early blocks were brought up to "Block 15 standards" wrt avionics. They were still structurally 1/5/10 airframes. The ability to mount pylons on the intakes (STA 5L & 5R) introduced on Block 15 required a structural change to the inlet design, so production 1/5/10 airframes did not typically get that upgrade. The Block 15 larger rear stabs could be added to 1/5/10 airframes with appropriate changes to the flight control software, but not all users did that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 The Norwegian F-16 A/B block 1/5/10 all got the big stabs at the end of the 80's/early 90's I belive it was(?), and they were later modified to be able to carry targeting pods on the intake. Just check out pictures of RNoAF 272 (78-0272), 282 (78-0282), 292 (78-0292)etc. This picture shows RNoAF 297 (78-0297) with Sniper pod in 2010 https://www.f-16.net/g3/photos/27282 I have always taken for granted that as the EPAF countries followed the same upgrade program, so would also the RDanAF upgrade their block 1/5/10's. I see now that this may not have been the case. Did a check of the RNLAF and it seems the same might apply for their block 1/5/10 jets. Then again, the RNLAF bought over 200 F-16's, and may not have had the same need to update the early block jets as the RNoAF did? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 I believe there was something about either the strength of the wings or the wiring inside the wings in relation to fitting the AMRAAM, something the block 10s couldn't on stations 1/9. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 (edited) Interesting, haven't noticed before that the RDanAF block 1/5/10 jets only carried the AIM-120B on station 3/7 until your comment @JEN722? The RNoAF block 1/5/10 do however. Edited January 15 by Niels Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 They usually carried them on sta. 2/8. 😉 Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 That's what I am used to seeing, however the "standard" seemed to have been station 1/2/8/9, with the possibility of 3/7 aswell. But I haven't found any reference photos of RDanAF early blocks with AIM-120B's on the wingtips. Only on 3/7. I'll keep looking though 😛 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.