This is the Hasegawa
72 Scale F-16A Blk 15 backdated to a block 10 aircraft of the 157FS/169FW Sth
Carolina ANG. I backdated it by using the tailplanes from a Italeri kit
and moving the aerials to the correct positions. The decals are from
Superscale Sheet 72-608.
This kit was
originally built about 8 years ago along with 5 of the Italeri
F-16A small tailplane versions to use some of my ANG decals on. During the build
process some repairmen spilt thinners on one of them whilst installing heater
ducting in my model room and it melted. To replace it, I bought a Hasegawa
kit as it was the only one available where I live. These 6 kits reached
the painted stage about 3 years ago and then I discovered that I had lost some
parts and also at that stage lost interest, until earlier this year when I
decided to finish them off. So far I have completed this one and one
in DC ANG markings.
As with all Hasegawa
kits they go together with only minor problems and the main problem came when I
went to paint the clear coat after decaling. In Canberra Australia,
where I live, I couldn't get any Isopropyl Alcohol (people might use it to
make their own home brew), so I got the recommended replacement from the
local Chemist (Drug) store and proceeded to mix it with my Gunze clear and
spray it on the model, which as it dried went whiter and whiter until it was
like someone had sprayed it white. The only way I could get rid of it was
to rub it back with scotchbrite scouring pads, as a result the paint job is less
than satisfactory. During the rubbing back process I rub off one of the
fox heads and had to purchase a second sheet of decals to make a template to
make a mask and paint it on.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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In the end it looks
like an F-16 and fits in with all my other ANG F-16s. The next one off the
production line is a Hasegawa F-16B Blk 15 in Montana ANG markings and his
build mate a F-16C Blk 30 of the Wisconsin ANG with the red tail.
Phil
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