Serkan Sen Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 In this new topic I will share my past, present and future works about this unique FSD Viper. There are some topics started by other friends in this forum and I have updated my existing projects using these reference pictures and discussions. First I would like to share here the 3 view drawings I did for three main configurations of the same aircraft with bu no 750750: I will be glad to hear your comments and corrections about the markings and 3D models that I will share here soon... Serkan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 More than ten years ago I built my first AFTI which was used as the Fly By Wire test bench for JSF. Using modelling clay I have made a mold in spine shape very roughly and then filled it with PU resin: In parallel I did the decal artwork using the pictures available in internet (mostly taken at the National Museum of the United States Air Force) I spent few days to shape the spine and after then I did decal sizing using paper printout of the decal artwork: More pictures will follow... Serkan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f111guru Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I do remember this aircraft at the museum. Was there a few years back. The museum had backed in the displays around her and could not get very close. I used my long lens to take photos. One day hoping to build as she sets. Watching this with interest. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, f111guru said: One day hoping to build as she sets. Thanks Ron. If you have any detailed pictures of the pods mounted to fuselage strake that would be great to see them closely. Although I have some ideas how it was done the images I found in web is not showing very clearly which strake panels were cut to mount the pods. I did very significant progress in 3D CAD modelling of the spine, pods and fins. I will share here soon some images of 3D models as well as printed parts. Serkan Edited August 12, 2021 by Serkan Sen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 When I was building this aircraft I didn't have many samples of Revell F-16 kits in my stash (now I have only in 1:72 scale 70+ Revell, 10+ Hasegawa and dozens of other manufacturers F-16 kits 😁). Therefore I decided to recover one of the Viper kit from junkyard that was a part of huge ebay konvolut (more than 150 models) I bought. The first step was to remove old paint and decals, replace the radome and fit the spine and pods: The parts were primed: The airplane was painted to standard Viper color scheme and the spine was painted to blue. After a gloss coat the MD5500 printed decals were placed and finally the decals were sealed with a layer of gloss and satin coats. Serkan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Here are some more pictures. Yes I know that the load out is not realistic but fifteen years ago I was not very perfectionists 😁 As some of you have already noticed that the biggest issue in this build was the oversized pods. But I learnt much during this first attempt... Serkan 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f111guru Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I did get some that were close up as I was trying to avoid 2 school classes that were in the area. To start off: Right wing root pod: Left wing root pod: From the distant left: The trailing edge of the pod under wing and the bumps, blisters and vents in the fuselage mid section. And the front and mid forward fuselage blended in behind the canopy. These may or may not help. I try to take photos in the respect of the modeller in mind. But at my age that's getting to be a task in its self. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 Thanks for all these pictures Ron. They show the lower side details very well. Serkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 A Viper i've not come across before. Random, but would the Marble Peace Dorsal spine be a similar profile for this ? The over lumps bumps and protrusions shouldn't be a hard job to complete. Never seen the decals either, may spend this afternoon looking for them now., bugger!!!😁😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Found a Caracal decal set that depicts one of these , but its in 1/72 , so no dice for me as i only build in 1/48. Buggeritt millenium hand & shrimp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 I did my own decal artwork for all versions and I can print them in any scale. I started also the 3D modeling and soon I will be able to print the AFTI parts in any scale as well. Serkan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Might have me as a customer. I've got a few F16, currently 15 in 1/48. Need a few more but with no shows it's hard to find them at a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoops Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 15 hours ago, darthspud said: A Viper i've not come across before. Random, but would the Marble Peace Dorsal spine be a similar profile for this ? The over lumps bumps and protrusions shouldn't be a hard job to complete. Never seen the decals either, may spend this afternoon looking for them now., bugger!!!😁😁 The PEACE MARBLE spine, or really any other F-16 spine that matter, is much taller than the spine on -750. The spine on -750 is unique, and maybe about 2/3 - 3/4 the height of all the others. 14 hours ago, darthspud said: Found a Caracal decal set that depicts one of these , but its in 1/72 , so no dice for me as i only build in 1/48. Buggeritt millenium hand & shrimp! Kursad also released the sheet in 1/48, see here: http://caracalmodels.com/cd48160.html Currently seems to be sold out at a lot of the major retailers, but perhaps you can source it somewhere, or work for a partial decal sheet. Cheers, Hoops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 Looks like it's gone to the great decal shack in the sky. Once model shows recommence , there's a chance i'll find it in a bargain bucket. New Grail decal set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 Now am i wrong , or does the spine shape and depth change between 1983 & 2000? It looks larger on the later Blue 750 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 14, 2021 Author Share Posted August 14, 2021 (edited) What I see from the reference pictures is that the Blue (J/IST) has a scoop and three rectangular panels (flat antennas or cooling plates?) at both sides of the end spine/dorsal root area and a tapered UHF/IFF antenna. But I have not identified a difference in spine shape. Maybe glossy Blue paint causes the spine looking different 🤔 Serkan Edited August 14, 2021 by Serkan Sen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 (edited) Early in this year I saw unique AFTI pictures posted by @Old Viper Tester in this forum: and also I found this excellent 1:48 AFTI build here: (www.master194.com built by Arrowhead) Seeing above WIP and completed model some years after my first build motivated me to build a new one. But this time I decided to go with 3D modelling and printing instead of scratch build. This will allow me to print the parts in any scale with perfect symmetry and accuracy. I gained significant experience during my A-12 Oxcart project: I started the 3D modeling with side and top view drawings: Here is the 3D Viper model compared to top and side view drawings: As you may have noticed I already added a wing root pod which needs to be improved a bit. Next is to add spine.. Serkan Edited August 15, 2021 by Serkan Sen 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 (edited) By extruding the top and side view spine edges the 3D spine was generated: Also the panel lines and other details were added: The overall spine shape looks fine but some improvements are still needed. The drag chute in the model was left from original 3D CAD model and will be replaced with the correct one later. Next step is to send the model to printer... Serkan Edited August 15, 2021 by Serkan Sen 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 The wing sensor pods are easily doable with a sharp knife and a steady hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 5 minutes ago, darthspud said: The wing sensor pods are easily doable with a sharp knife and a steady hand. In my age with old eyes I think it is not doable for me. Besides when I look carefully the pictures that Ron kindly shared with us, even with sharp knife and eyes it is not so simple to do it unless your hand has a CNC precision 🙂 Serkan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 The spine is ready to print: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Looking very good Serkan. I checked and I have 6 elint probes that I could easily fix into the wing root area. A couple of the stash kits have detached front flaps, which will make surgery easier and hide any errors I make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 2 hours ago, darthspud said: Looking very good Serkan. I checked and I have 6 elint probes that I could easily fix into the wing root area. A couple of the stash kits have detached front flaps, which will make surgery easier and hide any errors I make. Thanks and good luck building the pods 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 (edited) The pods and spine were printed in 1:72 scale and ready for fit test: Serkan Edited August 16, 2021 by Serkan Sen 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthspud Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 That looks spot on , almost perfect fit. Nicely done Serkan. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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