Ray_W Posted January 22 Posted January 22 Oh, the shame—a lifetime and not one F-16. I suppose it's because Australia never operated the type. However, the Tamiya box art called out to me, and an Arctic Aggressor seemed like a great entry point. It could be—should be—the first of many. I originally planned to use the kit decals, as my technique with Tamiya decals is well-practised. Then, typical for me, I changed my mind while ordering some other aftermarket items and picked up the Bullseye “Aggressor Vipers II” decal sheet. It includes around 15 options and covers a wide selection of colourful Aggressor schemes, all printed by Cartograf. Although tempted by the plethora of schemes, I intend to stick with the same aircraft as depicted in the Tamiya boxing—an F-16C Block 30, 86-0314. However, this version will feature the 2022 straight-edged Arctic Splinter scheme. Another reason for buying the Bullseye decals is the accompanying information booklet and modeller’s notes—very useful indeed. A sample: Additionally, I have a selection of aftermarket parts to support the build. Warm-up completed, all in readiness for the starting gun. If I enjoy this build—and there's no reason why I wouldn’t—I think another will quickly follow. I certainly have the decals! Ray EDIT: Oops, change of aircraft - something close to home and 86-290 in this scheme is on the Bullseye sheet. 17 2
Wings unlevel Posted January 22 Posted January 22 4 hours ago, Ray_W said: feature the 2022 straight-edged Arctic Splinter scheme. Am looking forward to following along to Ray’s adventures in masking….! 😂 1
Marlin Posted January 23 Posted January 23 Ohh, I love the straight edge scheme. I'm going to follow this with interest. /Bosse 2
Ray_W Posted January 23 Author Posted January 23 17 hours ago, Wings unlevel said: Am looking forward to following along to Ray’s adventures in masking 5 hours ago, Marlin said: I love the straight edge scheme. I was going to switch to the soft edged wavy scheme, like the F-16 Williamtown display. Not now. Back to original plan due to everyone's enthusiasm for the hard edged Artic splinter scheme. I had better not post the ghost scheme ... Ray 4 1 2
Retired Bob Posted January 23 Posted January 23 5 hours ago, Ray_W said: Back to original plan due to everyone's enthusiasm for the hard edged Artic splinter scheme. I was tempted to build my Tamiya Aggressor in the splinter black and grey scheme, I've just had my box of F-16 AM arrive from Hannants which includes a Top Notch splinter masking set, but... I'm sticking with option one, to build a pair of ANG Vipers, a block 25 of the Texas ANG (not the OOT garish one, though I do have the decals) and a block 40 of the South Dakota ANG in the Have Glass V scheme. The 3D printed Eduard exhausts came in that box along with a few other things. I'm hoping the block 40 kit arrives soon, then I will post up a build thread with photos of the kit and AM. 2
Col. Posted January 23 Posted January 23 6 hours ago, Ray_W said: I had better not post the ghost scheme ... Ray That is a cool scheme and is a future intention of mine. 2
Marlin Posted January 24 Posted January 24 15 hours ago, Ray_W said: I was going to switch to the soft edged wavy scheme, like the F-16 Williamtown display. Not now. Back to original plan due to everyone's enthusiasm for the hard edged Artic splinter scheme. I had better not post the ghost scheme ... Ray You can always build both, you know you want too. /Bosse 1 2
Col. Posted January 24 Posted January 24 24 minutes ago, Marlin said: You can always build both, you know you want too. /Bosse W.W.E.M.D? 1 1
Ray_W Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 2 hours ago, Marlin said: You can always build both, you know you want too. Very tempting! If I had more time, I’d definitely squeeze in a second build. I’d only go for the Ghost scheme if I could get my hands on this mask: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/aeromasks-am48-f1643t-f-16c-usa-usaf-aggressors-ghost-scheme--1241986 I don’t really mind hand masking, but honestly, in this case, life’s probably too short. Now, the Flogger or BDU schemes ... 1 3
Ray_W Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 And we're underway, straight into my usual dry-fit routine. It's Tamiya, so as expected, no issues identified. I glued the jet intake halves together before the dry-fit process to simplify testing and eliminate early one of our least favourite jobs—removing the internal seam. With a light sand, they're really not bad—no filler needed. A light coat of white Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500, and all should be good. I glued the halves with Tamiya White Cap, which I like for jobs like this—it has some body, and what squeezes out sands nicely. More assembly to come. Ray 10
Ray_W Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 53 minutes ago, Col. said: Good to see you getting started into this one Ray Thanks Col, I think it will be one I'll enjoy immensely.
FortyEighter Posted February 6 Posted February 6 Good progress Ray; a pity I didn't see this before my post yesterday - thanks for your suggestions in the same. I've got a better fit on mine now and will update my thread later when I've taken some photos. Mike 2
Ray_W Posted February 6 Author Posted February 6 47 minutes ago, FortyEighter said: I didn't see this before my post yesterday No worries, Mike. Glad we may have caught it early enough to make some changes. In fact, I only began checking the fit after reading your post—so that was just yesterday. People who have followed my builds before know that I avoid fillers with a passion, so I always take dry fitting very seriously. If there’s an issue, I prefer to work with the plastic rather than use putty. This is an absolute must with Kinetic kits, though it’s usually not an issue with Tamiya. Ray 1 1
Retired Bob Posted February 6 Posted February 6 Nice start Ray. In total agreement about dry fitting the parts to find/eliminate any problems and avoid using any filler if I can. I've been sorting out u/c doors, pylons and stores, mainly down to filling the ejector pin marks and getting some primer on them. When I leave it to the end I can lose my interest or more likely get distracted by the next build. 1
Ray_W Posted April 7 Author Posted April 7 Not much progress to date having been busy with other matters and business travel. But, I'm back and at the bench so we will see some more progress now. Ray 3
Col. Posted April 7 Posted April 7 Welcome back Ray and hopefully you're getting more free time now. 1
Ray_W Posted April 14 Author Posted April 14 I’ve made some good progress, although the images aren’t very exciting — yet. It’s mostly been about getting parts ready, repairing ejection pin marks (using CA/talc filler), working on the jet intake trunking, and assembling subcomponents with some pre-painting. The cockpit tub has the detail removed in readiness for the Quinta Studio interior decals. All paints used are Gunze Mr Color. I’ve also prepared the aftermarket parts I intend to use — Sierra Hotel Models Gen 2 late wheels for the lightweight undercarriage, and an Eduard ACES II ejection seat. The seat has been primed in Mr Color C317 (FS36231), ready for detail painting and the addition of further components. I will decide between the Quinta Studio and Eduard PE as to which seat detail I prefer. I expect a little mix-and-match. The Katran resin exhaust nozzle components have been separated and cleaned up. The detail is excellent, though not well captured in this image. All parts received a light coat of black as a base for further painting. — hopefully I can do it justice in the next stage. I accidentally slit the flame holder ring while separating the part — a bit too energetic with the microsaw — and had to glue the halves back together. It should still look fine once painted and buried in the exhaust trunking. So onto the details and we will start doing the major assembly. Ray 4
Marlin Posted April 14 Posted April 14 Looks great Ray. Looking forward to see some paint on this one. /Bosse 1
Col. Posted April 15 Posted April 15 Nice progress Ray. All these sub-assemblies should come together soon and give you a considerable leap forwards. 1
Ray_W Posted April 15 Author Posted April 15 17 minutes ago, Col. said: All these sub-assemblies should come together soon and give you a considerable leap forwards That's the plan Col. Some more good progress the last couple of evenings so my next post is coming up soon. 1
Ray_W Posted April 17 Author Posted April 17 (edited) I was just about to call the cockpit done when I came across a mention of the HUD upgrade that should be fitted — so back to the bench it is! By the way, the cockpit side panels and instrument panel are Quinta Studios decals, with the colours repainted to match Gunze FS36231. The seat is from Eduard, with a repainted Eduard harness. I preferred it over the Quinta harness as it has a bit more bulk and more substantial metal buckles. Bullseye notes that the later Block 30s were upgraded to the WAC (Wide Angle Conventional) HUD, and the image of my subject seems to confirm this. If I’m not mistaken, the Tamiya Aggressor boxing only includes the early and WAR (Wide Angle Raster) HUD options. Part L10 doesn’t appear to be correct for the later versions. Am I on the right track? If so, I’ll get started on a modification — and if anyone has good reference images, they’d be very welcome! EDIT: I posted the query on the military "Aircraft Modern" forum and decided to go with the kit part. The discussion can be found here: Ray Edited April 18 by Ray_W UPDATED INFORMATION 1
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