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1/48 Italeri F-16A Viper |
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(World’s Highest Scoring F-16: The IAF’s “107“) |
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by Jan Mikes |
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The
Subject I
built my F-16A to represent machine serving with Israeli Air Force, the
„107“ - historically the world’s
highest scoring F-16. The machine is
credited with 6.5 air-to-air kills. The victories were achieved against Syrian
pilots in 1981-1982. The first 1.5 victories were against Syrian helicopters
that violated no-fly zone over southern Lebanon (unilaterally declared by
Israel). Five victories were trophy from the greatest air-to-air battle of
recent times- IAF’s clash with
Syrian AF over Bekkaa valley in Lebanon in 1982.
The result of this air battle confirmed superiority of Israeli AF in the middle
east that lasts to these days. It is reported that the final score of the battle
was 65-82 shot down Syrian airplanes without a single loss on side of the IAF! F-16s
contributed about 50% to the number of air-to-air victories scored by IAF. Among
them my "107“. The “107” is
interesting also because the machine took part in 1981 raid on Osirak nuclear
power plant in Iraq in 1981. Israeli government decided to destroy Osirak
because of reports of Saddam Hussein’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.
The Osirak facility was crucial to Saddam Hussein’s nuclear program. The raid on Osirak
was another of great successes of IAF – the reactor was well beyond
‘official’ range of F-16 but still, IAF managed to destroy it and to return
home without losses.
The
Kit My
F-16A is Italeri 1/48 kit. While it is universally agreed that Hasegawa produces
best 1/48 Viper, I can recommend 1/48 Italeri kit without hesitation. The kit is
very good on detail, has nicely engraved panel lines and the fit is perfect. May
be Hasegawa kit is bit better, but it is also 50% more expensive. My
opinion: Italeri 1/48 Viper has most favourable quality vs. price ratio of all
1/48 on the market. With
exception of „Remove Before Flight“ flags (Tally Ho) I did not use any after
market items. Modifications
and extras I did:
Painting
and Decaling According
to my references, the markings of „107“
has been changed during the years. My model represents the „107“ as
it looked like while serving with the Negev squadron in 2000. Israeli
insignia and F-16 stencils for Israeli scheme were taken from 1/48 Italeri F-16C
sheet. Other
decals on this F-16 are my own design. They are: symbols of kills on the nose,
„107“ on fin and jet intake and squadron insignia on top of the fin. The
problem with custom made decals (if you do not use ALPS printer) is that it does
not print white. So
it was essential to make white base for squadron insignia and kill symbols. Here
is how I did it:
The
camo turned out quite good, but unfortunately the grey stripes to limit „no
step“ zone on top of the aircraft (I masked and airbrushed it) turned out to
be much wider than on the real machine. But that’s
life – I will be more careful with details next time. Comments,
questions, critique welcome! Greetings, Jan, Prague, Czechia
P.S.
My thanks to IAF guru Albert Moore for helping me to find references on the
particular machine that was subject of my model.
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Photos and text ©
by Jan Mikes
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