1/12 ESCI F-16 Cockpit

by Robert "NoBoB" Moore

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This was a very enjoyable kit to build as it was to be a birthday gift for my bother-in-law.  He works on an Air Force Base and support an F-16 ANG simulator training program.  The kit went together very well but the devil is in the details.  Although there are several decals that provide instrument highlights the kit lacked enough of them to accurately depict the cockpit intricacies this large scale deserved.  Research out on the internet revealed that really no two cockpit versions were alike.  Although there were some instruments common to all F-16 fighters, most of them had different setups making the painting of this specific kit configuration a research challenge.  Even the ejection seat versions were varied.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

This scale model was meant to be a desk piece and therefore close inspection would show some imperfections.  However, from a few feet away the kit fully highlights the complexity of the fighter pilots work space.  My next adventure is to complete the matching F-104 cockpit for a side by side comparison of technology.

NoBoB

Photos and text © by NoBoB