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I was unsure of where to post this but I think this is the most fitting one. The thing is I know I wont start on these kits anytime soon. So I bought my self some Christmas presents from Lonestar, a single person "garage kit" manufacturer located in Japan. I'm so happy to have them so I wanted to share this. Unfortunately I know I don't have time to start on these kits anytime soon, due to circumstances and "in the pipeline projects. But I will defiantly share when I start them. So I bought F-16XL no1, F-16XL no2, F-16 DSI and F-16/79 all in 1/72. The resin models are smooth as a baby's bottom! \\Dan

F-16XL-2, 75-0747, operated by the F-16XL Combined Test Force, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. Images are from a mission flown on 7 April 1983, possibly the only mission with this configuration. Streamlined fairings are installed on the wingtips in place of the 16S210 AIM-9 launch rails. Over Rogers Dry Lake on straight-in final approach to Runway 22. Thanks for looking, Sven

While chompin' at the bit, waiting for the Mustang GB to begin Dec 14th, so I can jump in with the Piper Enforcer, and as we are approaching the end of another year, I thought it might be a good time to take another trip in the Wayback Machine, back to a time when the now old and venerable F-16 family were just getting started. All these models were built decades ago, and I forget some of the details. Also, the blankety-blank Microscale Clear enamel topcoats have yellowed, and there's a little dust, but here goes anyway. First up, the F-16A, in an early scheme: Next, the two-seat version, the F-16B: These were both made from the same kit (can't remember which one) that allowed you to build either an A or B models. The decals were from an early Microscale offering which provided the tons of light grey stripes needed. Also, the same type of kit was used to help mod the next offerings, the F-16XL family: Busy little bugger on the bottom side, isn't it. These F-16XL's are of course the Monogram kits much modded, according to an old article in one of the IPMS USA mags. Still have it kicking around somewhere. I think I could find it if anyone needs a scanned copy... The model has to have the intake moved further back under the fuselage, a hump added to the top, the rear end kicked up a few degrees, and a few other things. Even more fun is the F-16XL #2, done up in the Ferris-Heatly "as above, so below" type paint scheme: Note the dot on the nose gear door, to spoof the image of the rear-seater's helmet, as well as the upside-down star and bar on the fuse near the rear Sparrow missile on both sides, not to mention the black and white shadings on the rear fuse, to spoof looking at the vertical stabilizer upside down. A very unusual scheme and a variant rarely seen! Up you enjoyed our little journey back in time, and any comments or questions are always welcome; as well as are any criticisms (other than those about yellowing or dust!). Ed

F-16XL-1, 75-0749, operated by the F-16XL Combined Test Force, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. Images are from two separate missions flown on 12 October 1982. Even with the CBU-58s carried in tandem, the drag penalty was terrible. Sorry about the watermarks, but some of my images have been appropriated on other sites. Thanks for looking, Sven

F-16XL-2, 75-0747, arrives at Edwards AFB, 8 November 1982. The 'cross-country' flight from Fort Worth was made by Lt Col "Joe Bill" Dryden (FCP) and GD test pilot Alex Wolfe (RCP). Joe Bill, as everyone called him, was the only Tactical Air Command pilot assigned to the F-16XL Combined Test Force and would later become a GD test pilot when he retired from the USAF. Alex Wolfe was an ex-USAF pilot with Thud time in Route Pack Six. XL-1 was used as the escort aircraft and was piloted by Lt Col "PC" Burnett, one of two Air Force Operational Test Center (AFOTEC) pilots assigned to the CTF. They made a formation takeoff from Ft Worth which was not briefed to the GD-FW team - the crews did brief it among themselves - made bit of a commotion in the mission control room when they did that. '747 was originally a Full Scale Development F-16A airframe that incurred significant forward fuselage damage during a takeoff roll (a story in itself). The airframe aft of the cockpit was used for XL-2 using a completely new production forward fuselage. Pinning the under carriage. Shut-Down. "Joe Bill" in front, Wolfe in back. State flag of Texas below the FCP instrument coaming. The GE F110 engine exhaust cone. XL-1 had a P&W F100 engine. As on XL-1, dummy AIM-120s bolted to the fuselage. Being pushed back into the hangar for acceptance inspections. Thanks for looking, Sven

F-16XL-1, first time on display at the Edwards AFB Open House, October 1982. Note the relative position of the intake compared to the cockpit. The 1/72 Monogram kit has the intake too far forward, about mid-canopy. Monogram also left out the three-degree tilt up of the tail and the main gear bay is too far aft. The so-called "semi-conformal" carriage pylons. The suspension used T-lugs, so no sway braces were required. The base "bomb dump" guys didn't like them because it meant pulling the standard, closed suspension lugs and installing T-lugs every time weapons were ordered for the XLs. Thanks for looking, Sven

My first safety chase mission for the F-16XL program, 22 July 1982. We were in an F-4. XL-1 was doing basic performance and propulsion test points. Some of my images are oddly framed or cropped, but my agreement with all of the pilots I flew with was that my photography was on a non-interference basis with the missions. Tracking test points, keeping tabs on the test aircraft and watching for potential conflicting traffic were my duties so my "little camera (Canon A1) better not get in the way". Notice the "angle iron" brackets holding the aft AIM-120 missile shapes in place. The forward shapes had bolts running through the missile bodies themselves to fasten them to the airframe. I'll post more as I clean my slides and get them scanned. Thanks for looking, Sven

F-16XL-1, 75-0749, arrives at Edwards AFB to begin the combined test program and competition with the F-15E in the Derivative/Dual-Role Fighter Competition. The XL had accomplished several flights at General Dynamics Fort Worth to demonstrate basic airworthiness before being delivered to Edwards by GD test pilot Jim McKinney. 18 July 1982. That's a gun butt in the background (right). Never did find out why an 8th Tac Fighter Wing aircraft was used to escort the XL, or if it continued on to South Korea or went back to Fort Worth. The entry stairs are unique to General Dynamics and had two different configurations corresponding to single-seat and two-seat F-16s. The AMRAAMs are just shapes with no upper wings/fins. As the XLs never had missile launchers installed, the AMRAAM shapes were bolted to the fuselage. Preparing to swing her around and push her into the maintenance hangar for acceptance inspection. Thanks for looking, Sven

Refueling F-16XL #2, 75-0747, assigned to the F-16XL Combined Test Force (CTF), 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. The KC-10A was out of March AFB. This event taking place at dusk over the Sierra Nevada foothills, March 1983. XL-2 in pre-contact position, waiting for clearance from the "boomer". I can still hear the boomer softly singing "Boom Operator" to the tune of "Smooth Operator" during this event. Taking fuel, couldn't see the boom from my position in the boom operator's station. This image was used in the CTF to emphasize the "C" stood for "Combined". The pilots wear the patches of AF Systems Command and Tactical Air Command. Other players in the CTF were AF Operational Test Center, General Dynamics, Pratt & Whitney, and General Electric. Disconnect from the boom as the sun gets lower. Thanks for looking, Sven

I had previously submitted some F-16XL images to Pappy's Skunk Models F-16XL WIP Unfortunately, with the Photobucket third party posting debacle, all of those image links have been broken. Anton K55 asked if I would repost them for reference in his build. Here is my best guess of what was posted earlier - I'm still working on cleaning up my XL slides for a more coherent posting. I had been posted as a flight test engineer to the F-16XL Combined Test Force after graduating from the USAF Test Pilot School. Made a right pest of myself with my camera from mid-1982 to early 1984... T-lug suspension in the stores pylons, hence no sway braces Underside of XL-1 showing shadows of pylon locations. That's a spin recovery parachute quadrapod and canister mounted above the exhaust nozzle XL-1 with BDU-38s. Note the brackets fore and aft of the mid-body fins of the AMRAAM shapes. The ARAAM dummies were bolted to the airframe as there was no missile suspension/launcher equipment installed in the airframe. XL-1 with CBU-58s. Most of the CBU store load outs used what were then call Tactical Munitions Dispensers, later became the CBU-87 series of canisters, which were painted gloss OD . XL-2 tucking in with the T-38 safety chase XL-2 aerial refueling Belly shot of XL-2 in Heater-Ferris scheme Some detail shots XL-1 inlet antennas XL-2 UHF antenna relocated near the tail hook Total Temp probe and raked cooling inlet - this intake is vertical on stock F-16s Two left-side AOA probes on the XLs This shot was after the aircraft was repainted in overall camo, the shadow of the blue spine remaiins Thanks for looking Sven

F-16XL & F-CK-1 Pitot Tube & AOA Probes 1:48 Master Models Modern aircraft relying on information to fly and the Pitot tubes & Angle Of Attack probe extending through the fuselage generally in the nose are provides angle of attack or sideslip and speed information. [48-144] - This set is for the US F-16XL and Taiwanese F-CK-1. It provides the pitiot tube, set of AOA probes and vanes for the pitot probe. Conclusion These will certainly add something to your finished model, though be careful with them as the carpet monster will also be attracted to them. Review sample courtesy of Piotr at

Since several modellers have displayed their XL's recently, I'll hop on the band-wagon. This is a blending of the F-16XL and HiMAT drone concepts, inspired by some CGI found on Deviantart. Original art that was the inspiration: And the model, sporting the markings of the Arctic Aggressors....

Something I stumbled into.....EAP meets (mates?) F-16XL: The pilot, a very laid-back fellow. Ensconced in his office: Rework of the chintake: Side-on: Overhead:

To those (anybody?) eagerly awaiting the follow up to my earlier on of the British protoypes in January apologies for the delay. I got involved in designing a website for the local branch of a national charity. With that, the P1040 and spring finally appearing in the garden the follow-up took a back seat. Anyway I hope you like them but first a consumer warning. Some go back a long way - hopefully my modelling skills have advanced in the meanwhile John First the Americans Douglas D558-I Skystreak Anigrand resin, not the best of kits. Tail surfaces were very inaccurate and replaced by scratch built items Douglas D558-II Skyrocket Anigrand resin, not terribly impressed with this kit either. A pity as it was one of my favourite a/c. One of my model club members recently produced the Hobbyboss version and it looked ‘right’ whereas mine doesn’t Bell X-1 Hobbycraft kit – awful decals and I didn’t dare attempt to paint the canopy! Lockheed F94C Starfire Emhar kit. I think that there is something not quite right about the nose of this kit. A pity as I used to think that this was a most impressive a/c and I really wanted to model it. Douglas Skyray - No it is not the prototype but it was one of the many weird and wonderful efforts of the US Navy in the fifties that culminated in the Phantom. Tamiya kit - Why can't everybody produce well moulded kits like this? Convair XFY-1 KP kit. Quite a nice but heavy panel lines and undersize decals North American F107 Trumpeter kit. This went together with little trouble except around the intake but for some reason I had dreadful trouble with the paint job. Don't look too closely (Oh yes you will won't you!) Then a grandchild broke the nose probe! I wish all Trumpeter kits were this good. McDonnell Douglas F15 Hasegawa kit. Went together well but kit was old when I got it and the decals were a nightmare to separate from the backing sheet This seems to be a problem with old Hasegawa kits Lockheed YF22 Dragon kit. Some problems with sink marks but otherwise OK Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF23 Italieri kit General Dynamics F16 XL Monogram. One of my most recent completions. The rear fuselage does not have the uptilt of the a/c. I also suspect the a/c wing may not be as simple as the one in the kit. I was unable to find anything to verify this. And now some Russians Yak 23 A simple KP kit. I didn’t know it was a prototype until recently I found a picture of it in the book ‘Early Soviet Jet Fighters’ Mig 1-44 Zvezda kit. First time I have made one of their kits and it went together well. Only real problem was that the colour scheme had the upper and lower colours reversed Su 37 Revell kit. Went together fairly well with a few issues with the fit on the front fuselage and around the intakes. It wasn’t clear (to me anyway) from the instructions how the boundary layer bleeds fitted and of course I got it wrong and had to correct it. And finally a French one SO Trident II Mach II kit.