1:12 Scale F-16 Cockpit - Italeri

[JJ2016]

Gday to my Britmodellers mates,

 

This is my 1:12 scale Italeri F-16 Cockpit build. This model was very enjoyable for so many reasons - extreme detail, a lot of painting with a pin/toothpick and much need for online reference, but one really cool thing about making these models is that they invoke very lucid memories of my days as a young lad. Building this reminded me of the first time I brought this kit over 30 years ago and the fine details of those few days came rushing back. So before I go to the WIP, I just wanted to share this story - a very normal story which became somewhat of a redemption.... In advance I apologise for the big yarn and too many photos !!

 

Back when I was around 13/14, with a room of models wall to wall, I received a decent bounty of cash for my birthday, as I recall around $100. That birthday my Brother took me to the city (Perth, Western Australia) to spend my money. The rare and epic trek to the city mainly involved us visiting our favorite record store Da Das, but just down the road was the legendary ABC Models - a mecca for model makers- a place that seemed to stock every model kit on the face of the earth.... I brought this kit and a 1:72 scale F-16 Thunderbird display (with 4 Thunderbirds on it !). Totaling to around $80, my Brother reminded me not to blow my cash so I settled there and ended up buying a Cold Chisel T-Shirt (Cold Chisel are Aussie legends) and Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet LP - overall, a great haul for $100.....

 

So I get home and start on the cockpit... in hindsight I should have done the Thunderbirds first as I was so exited to do that kit. As it turned out I rushed this kit and it turned out very ordinary, almost like I was painting a 1:144 scale cockpit.... I didn't read the instructions well, didn't use all the parts/decals and even glued the belts on (they're actually adhesives). So this rare kit that should have been at the front of my model display, ended up top shelf, back corner (aka shelf of doom/shame)...

 

When I found this online, I grabbed it and as I was building it, I felt a great feeling of redemption. Back when I was a boy, it took me 2 nights to make this, now it took me 2 nights just to make the radar display !!

 

Here goes !!

 

 

[Harry Callahan]

This is a nice story mate. Its always a joy to remember to our own childhood/youth when we do something what remind us, or just get a special smell into our nose,  till date i can remember the typical smell when i climb excavators or caterpillars when i was 7 or 8 years old and sitting in the cabin, a smell of grease, Diesel and oil, i will never forget these typical smell. Thats why i can confirm what you feel now with your cockpit.

 

By the way short back i posting here my F-104 Cockpit in 1:12, thats why i am excited about your build report. Good luck

[Captain Mark]

Looking forward to seeing how this one builds up, including a few pics of the build when available!

[JJ2016]

 

 

Building the Ejector Seat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting some seat decals....

 

 

Adding the rest of the seat components...

 

Starting the buckles and belts...

 

 

 

 

 

Had to use masking tape to hold the straps as the adhesive provided wasn't strong enough the hold it all in place !

 

 

Seat belts all done..

 

 

And Ejector Seat mow done ......

 

 

 

And now for the cockpit...

 

 

 

Painting side instrument panels..

 

 

 

Upper consoles..

 

 

 

Underneath

 

 

Foot controls

 

 

Throttle, sidestick and other side panel components

 

 

 

 

Radar Panel

 

Interesting find during reference search is the frequency 108.10 on the left side, is the frequency set for the Instrument Landing System ! (a little useless fact).

 

Instrument Panel and HUD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cockpit all done and now for the Helmet

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Done RFI is here:

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Cheers

 

JJ

Edited May 23, 2020 by JJ2016

[JJ2016]

56 minutes ago, Harry Callahan said:

This is a nice story mate.

Cheers Werner, great story mate ! Could you please send me a link to your one ? Would love to see it !

55 minutes ago, Captain Mark said:

Looking forward to seeing how this one builds up

Cheers Mark, all up in WIP and RFI now

Edited May 23, 2020 by JJ2016

[Harry Callahan]

Hope you like it

[JJ2016]

Very cool Werner, cheers

[nasosrr]

Wow, what a lovely surprise to see this build here. This model was on display on my local model store back in Greece in my early years as a modeller.
I remember it always felt like a shrine to me, I would never dare build one back then. Amazing that you found a kit these days. I wonder if I can get myself one somehow.

Great build and lovely presentation. Touching story also, I believe most of us partly recognise our first years in some part of your story. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

[marky sparky]

Lovely gubbley.

 

These cockpit kits have always been a favourite of mine, but it was many many years ago I built them, so it's nice to see them back again.

My only wish is I always wanted them to expand the range but they never did. I think they would have been excellent sellers for them.

Mig 21, F-111 etc so many to choose from and us modellers LOVE cockpits!

[JJ2016]

22 hours ago, nasosrr said:

Wow, what a lovely surprise

Gday mate, cheers, glad you liked it !! There's an AMT version going online auction, I believe they're essentially the same. Keep looking, they pop up from time to time.

 

[JJ2016]

17 hours ago, marky sparky said:

Lovely gubbley.

 

Gday Mark, cheers, I agree, I would have loved to do a few more cockpits like this, great for display purposes - have the cockpit, the plane and the squadron patch ! I'll have that for a F-16 I'm nearing to complete currently....