This is a project I
began about two years ago. I have always liked the outlines of the
twin-seat F-16B/D, and I wanted one in my collection. Since there were no
kits of the two-seat F-16 in 1/32, I decided that I'd have to build my own.
This is the Hasegawa F-16A/C kit, converted using my own scratch-built parts.
The first step was measuring the model to try to figure out where I needed to
remove parts of the fuselage. Luckily, most of the cutting was done on
existing panel lines. A large chunk of fuselage was then removed to make
room for the rear cockpit. Once that was complete, my attention turned to
the panel lines, which were removed and rescribed. Not totally necessary,
but I think it helps the looks of the finished model. The vertical stab
also had to be modified slightly. F-16Ds do not have the scoops on the
base of the vertical stab or the scoop on the leading edge. These were
removed.
With the fuselage complete, I then moved on to the front cockpit.
FRONT COCKPIT
The front is basically a Black Box cockpit for the F-16C. Since the
D is a
combat-ready aircraft, the C and D both have identical front cockpits.
The only parts that aren't Black Box is the front instrument panel and
instrument panel shroud. Black Box missed the mark badly on these
two
parts. They were scratch-built and cast for all of my future F-16s. |
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REAR COCKPIT
The rear cockpit is mostly scratch-built using the kit's cockpit as a basis.
The side panels were constructed using very thin plasticard. Switches and
knobs were added where necessary. The instrument panel was also
constructed from sheet plastic and the MFDs were swiped from a spare F-15E.
The rear instrument panel shroud was constructed from thick sheet plastic and
sanded to shape to round the edges. The area between the two seats was
built up and detail was added on the rear bulkhead to finish up.
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AIRFRAME
The jet was originally going to be a block 30 from the 178FW. The jet had
been painted and the Ohio ANG markings had been hand-painted. Somewhere
along the line, I changed my mind and decided to do a block 42 from the 138FW,
with the very attractive Indian Head tailmarkings. I now had to apply the
skin strengtheners found on Block 40 and 42 jets.
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Scratch-built
AIM-120 launch rails, ECS vent, ECM "beer cans", and static
dischargers for the radome were also built at this time.
Jake
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