1/72 Italeri F-16B

by Lim Yun Chong

--------------------

 

Hi guys, my 2nd 72nd scale aircraft, the F-16B from Italeri's F-16 Night Falcon boxing, also the same mold as Tamiya's 72nd scale F-16. I built it OOB, took me about 1 and a half weeks to complete. Cockpit was also from the kit (bare and basic). Fitting of the parts seems quite good to me, seamlines were filled using both Tamiya putty and superglue + powder, especially at the area where the wing joins the main body. Nub on the canopy was sanded, polished and dipped in Future, left to cure for 2 days.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Painting was done using Gunze Aqueous paint. I started by painting the white areas using H11 (Flat White) which includes the landing gears, wheels and the jet intake. After allowing the white area in the intake to dry for a day, I proceed to mask the white area inside the intake with masking tape, filled with blu tack to paint the gray 'lip' area. Preshading was done on the whole aircraft. Next, I airbrushed the bottom of the aircraft, tail fin, the strip on the canopy and fuel tanks with H306. The top of the aircraft was sprayed H305. The circular area in front was masked using paper and blu tack. Radome was sprayed with H307. Exhaust can was painted with H76. The paint was left to dry and cure for 1 full day, then I hand brushed a 2 coats of Future for decaling.

Decals also used from the kit, I would say the quality of the decals provided were quite good. Did not encounter much trouble with them, responded well to Mark Softer. Decal placement was followed according to the instructions, so I wouldn't know if they are correct or wrong. Tried out enamel washing using mixture of Tamiya enamel black with lighter fluid, ended up removing most of the wash in the panels when removing excess wash. Hand brushed another coat of Future to seal everything, left to cure for about 2 days, sprayed Mr Super Clear Flat to flatten the finish.

I am satisfied with the result of this kit. The twin seater F-16 is one of my favorite aircraft. The next F-16 I would like to try is the Academy's 1/72 F-16CG/CJ Fighting Falcon. Some WIP pics for this build can be seen in the bottom pictures. Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed it!

Lim Yun Chong

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Lim Yun Chong