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1/48 Iraqi F-16D Block 52 + *Finished 9/3*


DaveJL

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Hello all,

To run in conjunction (and by way of comparison) with my Kinetic Moroccan F-16 Block 52 + seen here, I've decided to build an example from Hasegawa, to depict an Iraqi Air Force example, which, to the best of my knowledge are seeing action presently in Iraq and Syria. I picked up this kit for less than £20 online.

Kit:

IMG_9018_zpshfxhnrbs.jpg

IMG_9019_zpsnt3amzzv.jpg

Aftermarket:

IMG_9020_zps2p6nggph.jpg

Will be using Pavla seats, Steel Beach FOD insert, Master pitot tube and the lovely new 'Vipers Against Terror' decal sheet from Caracal.

Plan to load it up with 4x GBU-12, 2x AIM-9, 2x fuel tanks and a Sniper pod.

I particularly like the camouflage on these jets!

F-16D

F-16D

I'm building this in front of my VF-111 F-14A, Turkish F-4E and F-16C because my Moroccan F-16D (see link at top of the page) has given me a lot of difficulties so I want to see how this one compares.

Dave

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I'll say. I've not seen them for that price even from the Japanese distributors

Good idea to grab the intake plug. The seam at the intake lip/trunking is just foul. Suffice to say I've actually decided to keep y intale open. Lots of filler and sanding!!!

Nice to see an F-16 in middle eastern scheme too.

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Started this today. First job of course was the cockpit. Once painted and detailed, I installed the tubs to the lower fuselage:

IMG_9037_zpsnlxz5ijm.jpg

Once that had dried, I added the upper fuselage, wings and nose cone:

IMG_9041_zpsro26nl3l.jpg

IMG_9042_zpsdwc8xxzs.jpg

Went together very easily. No fiddling, chopping and cursing as required with the kinetic kit! Also built up the ordnance:

IMG_9038_zpsjhuujuao.jpg

The GBU-12's are from Kinetic (the two painted ones were from a damaged kit), the AIM-9's are and tanks from the kit, the Sniper pod is from Hasegawa weapons set E and the TER's for the GBU-12's are from Hasegawa weapons set D.

Avionics spine:

IMG_9039_zpscjnt3g6u.jpg

Note the good fit and lack of filler!

The intake was a bit tricky to assemble and needed some filler:

IMG_9040_zpsbic6dgln.jpg

Much, much easier to assemble and a better fit than the Kinetic. One thing I don't like is the inability to drop the flaps. But for better fit and less anger on my part, I'm not complaining!

More soon.

Dave

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Looking good so far.

One thing though. The F-16 uses a TER with a different shaped nose. There should be a pair of them supplied in the kit. You can see more details about it in the link below.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article1771.html

Mark

Cheers for that Mark. I thought the kit ones were a bit bland looking but will get them swapped over.

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Cheers. Overall a much easier build, but with that comes a sacrifice in detail.

More done today. Added the HUD repeater to the WSO's coaming. The area is a bit bland so added some wire to give it a bit of detail. I also added the IFF 'Bird Slicer' antennae in front of the cockpit:

IMG_9053_zpssabqtppt.jpg

Added some wire and bits pinched from the Kinetic kit to the wheel bays. Note the filler required around the intake (not great, but better than the Kinetic kit):

IMG_9052_zpspmvsej4q.jpg

Spine complete and ready to be fitted:

IMG_9054_zpstvqgcww6.jpg

Paula seats off their casting blocks:

IMG_9055_zpstxzrahrh.jpg

Pylons with the revised TER's (as pointed out by madcat911). I added a piece of plastic from the ones that were removed to these to add detail (dark grey plastic, bottom right of each pylon):

IMG_9056_zpshblltrib.jpg

General shots of the airframe:

IMG_9050_zpscpve4orz.jpg

IMG_9051_zpsquzopluq.jpg

Note the 'beer can' antennae on the wings and the holes for the outer-most wing pylons have been filled.

A few things about the Hasegawa kit I don't like are the exhaust and the lack of static dischargers for the wings and horizontal stabilisers. To that end, I've ordered an Aires exhaust and Master metal static dischargers for both this kit and the Moroccan example (for when it arrives!)

More soon.

Dave

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More done today. Cleaned up the filler around the intake and added the lumps and bumps in that area. Also added the pylons:

IMG_9058_zpsbpe0y5qo.jpg

IMG_9059_zpsdhuuhimr.jpg

Gave the upper surfaces a clean up too:

IMG_9060_zpsynrqh7et.jpg

Just a few more bits to add such as the Sniper pod pylon and a touch of filler to clean up. I'm not fitting the spine until the Aires exhaust turns up, just incase the shroud needs a bit of a clean up to sit flush with the fuselage.

Shouldn't be too much longer until painting.

More soon.

Dave

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More done and the kit is almost ready for painting. All areas of filler cleaned and smoothed off. Added the Sniper pod pylon on the intake cheek. As soon as the Aires exhaust arrives I can get the shroud fitted then attach the spine. Once that's done, that's pretty much it. Some pictures:

IMG_9061_zpsv7memohx.jpg

IMG_9062_zpskokwqs8o.jpg

More soon.

Dave

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Dave,

Have to fully agree with your sentiments at Post 6……In spite of its age, I still think the Hasegawa kit is great for modelling particular Blocks of the Fighting Falcon, that cannot be crafted from the sublime Tamiya offering. I'm sure there are lots of things that one needs to do with the Hasegawa kit to bring it up to the right, modern, Block Number but it definitely offers a better assembly experience than the Kinetic kit…..it's a pity because the Kinetic kit is quite nice but is a beast to get together neatly, with plenty of opportunity to try out your favorite craft knives, filler and sanding medium !.

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Dave,

Have to fully agree with your sentiments at Post 6……In spite of its age, I still think the Hasegawa kit is great for modelling particular Blocks of the Fighting Falcon, that cannot be crafted from the sublime Tamiya offering. I'm sure there are lots of things that one needs to do with the Hasegawa kit to bring it up to the right, modern, Block Number but it definitely offers a better assembly experience than the Kinetic kit…..it's a pity because the Kinetic kit is quite nice but is a beast to get together neatly, with plenty of opportunity to try out your favorite craft knives, filler and sanding medium !.

Agreed Mark. Lacks some of the detail of the Kinetic kit but goes together with little fuss. At the minute, I've another Hasegawa 52+ on the way for the Moroccan jet, and a Tamiya C Block 50+ for the Turkish and Omani jets. That leaves room for the Pakistani and Polish machines.

I'll give Kinetic another shot with the UAE Block 60 model, but not for a while. It left a bad taste in my mouth!

Dave

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Exhaust and static dischargers arrived:

IMG_9068.jpg

Quickly built up the exhaust and shroud. In my haste, i took a tad too much off on one side of the shroud but nothing major:

IMG_9069.jpg

Comparison with the Hasegawa exhaust:

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Fitted with the spine added:

IMG_9075.jpg

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Note in the last shot the touch of filler needed to cover up the excess i removed from the shroud. Just need to clean that up and give the model the once over before priming.

More soon.

Dave

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More done. All the sub assemblies are complete, bar a coat of gloss and decals for the fuel tanks, AIM-9s and Sniper:

IMG_9084_zpsusscc9da.jpg

Pavla seats:

IMG_9087_zpssqyb0en2.jpg

Aires exhaust, dirtied up with some Tamiya weathering powder:

IMG_9092_zpsvpi4cobp.jpg

Fod covers:

IMG_9086_zpsw8ldvsjb.jpg

And the airframe itself:

IMG_9093_zps4xylapal.jpg

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IMG_9095.jpg

Colours are Model Master 4757 Neutral Grey and 4752 Gunship Grey. Next up is gloss and decals.

More soon.

Dave

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Decals on and sealed in with a coat of gloss:

IMG_9099_zpsuyfubvol.jpg

IMG_9100_zps0axruayu.jpg

IMG_9107_zps8ewrkcxu.jpg

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Decals are a mixture of the Caracal sheet and Hasegawa. Will let it cure fully overnight before adding a panel line wash. Once that's on, it shouldn't take too much longer to finish.

More soon.

Dave

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Nice job Dave.

One tip on the fuel tanks if I may. The fins on the wing tanks are incorrectly shaped in the Hasegawa kit. This picture of an PAF block 52 jet shows the shape of the fins. A simple fix for the shape if you're happy to do it.

f-16_block52_ferry_break.jpg

Nice job too. It's good to see an alternated air force scheme.

Regards,

Mick

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More done. Wash went on:

IMG_9112_zpsg6kt2xrl.jpg

IMG_9113_zps8d5gva82.jpg

And off:

IMG_9114_zpscfmjd6zb.jpg

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I then set about bringing everything together. Landing gear was added, and once cured I added the ordnance, fuel tanks, Sniper pod, FOD covers and horizontal stabilisers. They're hard to make out, but i've also added the Master static dischargers to the wings. (The horizontal stabilisers are Kinetic which already have the dischargers):

IMG_9116_zpsxdhwxlcd.jpg

IMG_9117_zpsgrpl8dtz.jpg

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Next up is to give the model a flat coat before adding some weathering, which will be light on this one. Once that is done just need to add the seats, HUD, pitot tube, exhaust and canopy.

More soon.

Dave

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