F-16D in 1/72

[rossm]

OK, I got carried away at SMW and bought the Model Alliance World Airpower Update sheet in 1/72 plus their F-16 avionics spine conversion to build the Polish F-16D Block 52+. The only F-16D kit I could find was the Hasegawa one (catalogue number D15) which seems to have two alternative jet pipes but only one intake option. I'm not an F-16 expert but I thought intake and jetpipe both changed for the different engine types ? In any case the instructions give no idea which jetpipe is for which engine.

Please can someone point me in the right direction for a Block 52+ version,

Thanks,

Ross

[Steve Collins]

Um, ok, let me give this a try....it can be a bit confusing. Block 1 through Block 25 jets used the Pratt & Whitney F-100 engine with the small-mouth intake (Normal Shock Inlet - NSI). From Block 30 on, there were two engines used. Blocks ending in 0 (B30, 40, 50, 60) have GE F-110 engines of various versions and blocks ending in 2 (B32, 42, 52) have PW F-100 engines of various versions. On the B30 aircraft, from B30D on the inlet was changed to the large-mouth intake (Modular Common Inlet Duct - MCID). At least I think that's correct. So, for the B52+, you'd need the small-mouth intake and the PW exhaust. HTH.

I found a picture on the web that shows the exhaust - the link is http://airbase.kr/bbs/zboard.php?id=gaga&a...desc&no=149

I guess I need to look up how to do the 'linky' thingy.

Steve

[Mike V]

Steve pretty summed it up. Note that the Block 52s have the Prat-229, with composite turkey feathers. It’s probably too small to try and replicate to scale in 72nd, so you’ll probably want to at least paint them a dark metallic.

If you have any problems discerning between the exhaust nozzles, just know that the GE exhaust nozzle has 12 turkey feathers which are larger, compared to the 15 of the Pratt.

Mike V

[The Good Sergeant]

Here's a great resource that will become your "bible" to the F-16 in 1/72 scale.

http://www.habu2.net/vipers/viperkits/72/kits72.a.html

[rossm]

Thanks for all the above. From the last link it looks like I need big wheels and bulged u/c doors, F100-PW-229 engine with NSI small mouth inlet and the avionics spine. I have the Model Alliance spine and the right engine bits in my kit but not the wheels & u/c doors. Does anyone know a cheap way to get these (e.g. from an otherwise useless kit or aftermarket supplier) ?

Thanks again,

Ross

[Mike V]

You know, this same subject was just discussed in this same forum, but in regards to 48th scale:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23876

If you haven't already check it out as I explained in detail, key features of the HAF Block 52s.

As for the bulged MLG doors, larger wheels, and NLG door light assembly, you may want to pick up a Hasegawa F-16CJ, and utilize those parts from that kit.

Mike V

[rossm]

I'm reviving this topic because I now have some kits (and thanks to another post some better painting guides) but I'm still confused. I now have the following kits and bits.....

Academy KF-16C

Hasegawa F-16D

Hasegawa F-16D (Block 50)

Model Alliance World Airpower Update pt1 (Polish and Greek F-16D's)

Model Alliance avionics/parachute spine for F-16D

I want to maximise the return and interest (colour schemes and operators) so the plan could be (depending on your feedback)....

Polish F-16C Block 52+ using the Academy kit from the box - but why does the Czechmaster European Block 52+ F-16D conversion for the Academy kit show a new intake ? Also the code numbers in both the Model Alliance and Two Bobs Polish Jastrzabs sheets are black where photos show grey and they are a unique style - any ideas for replacements ? If not I will just use the Academy code numbers as they are the right shade and size and they provide a full range of numbers to 'grow your own'.

Greek F-16D Block 52+ using the Hasegawa F-16D Block 50 but with the small intake from the kit and the P+W exhaust plus the Model Alliance spine (and maybe some conformal tanks). Not sure if this has the different nosewheel door with a bulge referred to on another post for Greek single-seaters ? and is this suitable for a Block 52 ?

F-16D Wild Weasel the other two are the ones I really want, this is the 'kluge' to use up the spare kits and bits and it would sit well alongside a Wild Weasel Thunderchief. I would use the Hasegawa F-16D with the big mouth intake and decals from the Block 50 kit and the GE exhaust. Then to get the heavyweight u/c I would make casts of the wheels from either Academy or the Block 50 kit. For the bulged doors does anyone know if these are suitable ? otherwise it's a bit of filler on the outside and to h*ll with the inside ! I'm aware that only the Academy kit has the correct main u/c legs and nose u/c but I'll have to live with the incorrect ones for the Hasegawa kits.

If you got this far - thanks for your patience and thanks in advance for replies,

Ross

[Habu12]

Read this first:

Viper FAQ

Then, if you still have questions, ask away!

[rossm]

That's a fantastic link - many thanks.

As A PS - does anyone have spare the decals for one a/c from the Two Bobs Arctic Bandits sheet in 1/72 ? or the Flanker option from their F-16 Aggressors sheet ?

Thanks again for the link,

Ross

[Habu12]

That's a fantastic link - many thanks.

As A PS - does anyone have spare the decals for one a/c from the Two Bobs Arctic Bandits sheet in 1/72 ? or the Flanker option from their F-16 Aggressors sheet ?

Thanks again for the link,

Ross

Are you looking for any in particular, Ross? I have that sheet and used it once for one of the Aggressors, but not the king jet.