1/72 Academy (Quick-Build) F-16C

Gallery Article by Alex Sidharta on Aug 17 2016

Indonesia Independence Day 

 

      

This is a new released, quick-build type released by Academy in 2016. I had been very curious about its quality and was anxious to build one when released.

The kit itself has no landing gear and a clear plastic stand is included. Only contains 34 parts, it has 3 colors of plastic; grey, black and clear so Academy calls it an MCP (Multi Color Part) kit. Waterslide decals are also not included, only the sticker-type one for marking. No glue required for this kit but I did use common plastic glue for better strength. Academy also claims that no cutting tool and paint required. The parts did snap easily, but still needed to be cleaned-up, of course.

The detail of this kit is beautiful with sharp panel lines and rivets all over the model. It is one of the nicest kit in 1/72 in terms of surface detail. It also reminds me of the “standard” F-16C kit released previously but unfortunately includes the wrong shape of the radome and too-short flaps. Another shortcoming are the lack of RHAW sensors on nose, formation lights on the side of intake and a pilot! Small details but why didn’t Academy mould it, instead?

Click on images below to see larger images

The assembly went smoothly as the fit is very good. I added a small plasticard to hide the gap inside the intake. 

Because I wanted to build an Indonesian F-16C, I had to modify it to match the Indonesian version. That includes to sand-off the IFF antenna, adding structural strengthener plates on wing roots and fin base, and also a pilot. Nothing more weird that a pilotless-flying aircraft as this one is not a drone... J

Adding a pilot caused a new seat should be used as the supplied one can not “accomodate” a pilot. I used a spare one from a Hasegawa kit. I also added the control stick and HUD to make it more realistic.

Painting and decalling stage went well with no drama at all. I used locally-produced “CJM” decal sheet for Indonesian F-16 which quality is very good.

I didn’t use the AMRAAM and HARM supplied in the box and replaced them with missiles from my spares bin. The AGM-65 Maverick was taken from Italeri A-10 and the Sniper pod was also added from the left-over Academy “normal” F-16 kit.

This is a relaxing model to build even with all of its shortcomings and I think I will buy several more of this for variation markings.

Thanks for viewing, hope you like it.

Alex Sidharta

Photos and text © by Alex Sidharta