During the mid-90's, the RAF
needed a true fighter plane, as a replacement for Tornado F.3.
While the Eurofighter was still in the development phase, they had no choice but
to lease old F-16A fighter planes from USA. The RAF decided not to arm these
F-16s with cannons, but only with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, so the
cannon was "deleted" from the airframe... the F-16 livery for
the RAF was
similar to the one to be used on Eurofighter, and actually was used on
one of the Eurofighter prototypes. A "False canopy" was also painted on
the bottom side of the plane.
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images below to see larger images
The kit itself is
actually the Revell reboxing of old Academy F-16 in 1/144. Parts
are pretty badly molded :( The nose gave me allot of work to do, as it
was misshaped no matter how I positioned it. As the cockpit
interior didn't exist, I made an instrument table and pilot seat from
styrene sheet. The canopy is definitely the worst part of this kit
as it is very thick and has the wrong shape. However I glued it in
its position, as I built this model just for practice and fun ;)
The air intake was cut as it was a totally closed in kit. I used
decals from Airfix 1/72 Eurofighter model...
Happy New Year and
everything best in 2008 to all ARC members! ;)
Srdjan
Click on
images below to see larger images
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