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Is the Academy F-16 in 1/72 any good?


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I bought a Academy F16 CG/CJ today in 1/72. The LHS says it is the best and came out a few weeks ago. Is it a good kit and are there any pitfalls?

Thanks

Aaron

Edited by aaronacw
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I found this review via Google.

There have also been several discussions here on ARC which you can find via Search.

Steven,

Since I have trouble with the "new" search function, what phrase(s) did you search for? I tried, for example, "Academy Viper" and didn't get any hits on the new kit.

Thanks for the link to Mike V's review - pretty much says it all!

Thanks,

Gene K

Edited by Gene K
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Hi Aaron,

Steve (the Webmaster) recently fixed the forum's search function. You can now confidently search for "F-16C" or "Academy" and get the results you seek. I tend to select the "Search titles only" option for the best results.

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I got the kit from Lucky Model not that long ago. My initial impressions are wow!! what a nice kit, Seperate cockpit sidewalls great wheel well detail. Fantastic weapons. It does appear that the instrument panel shrould looks better than the 32nd scale one. However the "Bigmouth" intake looks "off" to me. It does have nice intake trunking but not all the way to the engine fan. The surface has slight pebbly look to it. but I do not thinkit will be visible once it is painted. The GE exhaust nozzle is well molded WAY better than the RoG version.

All in all I like it better than the RoG kit( but thats just me) If the after market folks would make a proper big mouth intake Ithink we have found THE 72nd scale lawn dart.

The decal sheet is flat out fantastic!! I beleve there are 2 blk 40's and 3 50's and a slew of stencilling for the weapons also printed by cartograf.

The box art show the a Blk 40 with the scab patches on it but they are not included in the kit, It does say howeverthatthe kit may vary from the picture.

I hope this helps!!

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I got the kit from Lucky Model not that long ago.

Thanks, Craig. I picked up the kit yesterday and pretty much have everything trial fitted and ready to assemble...... but the nose profile "just doesn't look right" (I refrained from plans and overlays this time).

One thing for sure - the engraving as well as the decals and pods/weapons are outstanding.

However, I think the Revell/Monogram kit still has the edge.

Alrite - thanks for the heads up, and Steven, appreciate the words about the search engine. KUDOS to Steve!

Gene K

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Hoi,

Well not a scientific study, i did compare the RofG and Academy Vipers. The Academy cockpit is a little further back than on the RofG kit. This might be what is making the nose look "a little off." The main gear bay's seem to be the same length, in case one wants to try and put the Academy gear in the RofG kit (since the CMK set is meant for the Hasegawa kit which has a shorter bay).

later

Ruud

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(since the CMK set is meant for the Hasegawa kit which has a shorter bay).

For that matter, so is the Aires wheel well set.

Question, does the Academy kit have Bulged gear doors?

Thanks,

-Hoops

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According to the review posted above, it does...

The review says that it has the heavy weight gear, but doesn't say if the doors are or not. Looking at the one in progress build here on ARC it looks to me like they are the normal doors, but I can't tell for sure.

Confirmation?

-Hoops

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