I received this kit for free from a fellow IMPS club member
last X-mas, mainly because he didn't want it because it was so old. It is
actually a YF-16A prototype (nose shape is different) but I picked some
Superscale decals for $.89 and decided to
build it for fun.
Construction was very easy and basic, the cockpit was pretty
simple so I left the canopy closed. I did use some masking tape seat belts, but
left the decaled pit alone. I also left off the weapons because they were out of
date (2 LGBs and 2 ECM pods
that were wrong). I did add the two small bulges on either side of the
nose that production F-16s have, but I did not bother to correct the nose shape
(it's for fun anyways).
Most of my time went into painting it, I used model
master paints and masked the pattern using Tamyia tape. On the subject of the
tape, I recently discovered this tape, it really makes a difference because it
is low tack and very thin, For example if you mask a canopy with it, and hold it
up to the light, you can see the lines and with a light tracing with a fresh
blade it gives a great mask. The camo pattern was a little messed up in areas because the tape was too firm and created a hard edge, should have
done a softer edge mask, but at this scale it's not that bad. The bottom color
was Light Ghost Grey and the top was the standard IAF colors (Pale Green, Sand,
and Dark Tan).
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I sealed with Testors Flat Acrylic and applied decals, and in
hindsight I should have have used a gloss coat (Future) because decals silvered
a bit, I was in a rush and it showed (Fun though right!). The decals went on
fine, but were a little big (I think
kit was smaller than 1/72nd not decals) it is really noticeable with the
nose rescue stencils, Oh well.
The project was really just for fun, and as a break
after my recent A-6E Diorama which was a lot more serious. I have since given
the model to a friend at work for his Son, they are Jewish, have been to Israel
and are fans of the IAF, next I will build them a F-15C in IAF markings.
Although it is simple, I hope you enjoy it.
Everett
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