discussion Joe's Academy 1/72 F-16C Thunderbirds

[flyjoe180]

This will be my 'US Icons' Group Build contribution.

This is the most American themed model I have. Except for maybe a Space Shuttle or Saturn V, but I don't have the space (no pun intended) to display either of them at present. The iconic Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon will sit nicely next to my Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet.

I saw the team displaying at Salinas in California in 2016, and it was a very memorable display.

Looking forward to starting this good looking kit on 1st June.

 

[flyjoe180]

Looking forward to starting this good looking kit on 1st June.

Or maybe I should say, on June 1

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

That is one lovely looking paint scheme Joe. I have done a couple of F16 Tiger Meet models that came out well. Love the F16.

 

[flyjoe180]

The kit contents

Decals by Cartograph:


Subtly recessed panel lines on the main parts, and a gold-tinted canopy


Tiny parts, stores and weapons, none of which will get used for the Thunderbirds F-16

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Plenty to be having a go at in there Joe.

 

[flyjoe180]

Plenty to be having a go at in there Joe.

Sure is Steve, the detail looks nice in the bag. For some reason there's a 'Quickboost' ACES ejection seat in the box as well. I must have got that in a second hand kit for another F-16, as I don't buy aftermarket stuff as a rule. I think the kit seat will be perfectly fine, the instructions show it has all the handles and bits to go on it, so I'll save it as a back up.

 

[flyjoe180]

I have made a start on my contribution to this GB.

The F-16's cockpit is quite detailed. Most of it is very small in 1/72. The MFD screens have decals provided, and the ejection seat has decal stencils for the seat sides. Otherwise there was a lot of dry brushing and picking out detail with the point of a thin brush. It looks better in person, the photos magnify every little paint smear. The ACES ejection seat builds up nicely out of the box.

The instructions make no mention of any nose weight. As a precaution I have used PVA glue to fix a small amount of weight in the nose cone.

 

[Steven000]

Nice progress Joe, have fun

 

[yak face]

Excellent start joe , you cant get any more iconic USA than the Thunderbirds can you!
This looks a really nicely detailed kit and being academy should fit well too , loving the tinted canopy as well . Decalling is going to take as long as building on this one , cheers tony

 

[papa 695]

A cracking start Joe, great work on the cockpit.

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice progress Joe, have fun

Thanks Steven

 

[flyjoe180]

Excellent start joe , you cant get any more iconic USA than the Thunderbirds can you!
This looks a really nicely detailed kit and being academy should fit well too , loving the tinted canopy as well . Decalling is going to take as long as building on this one , cheers tony

Thanks Tony. I think this was the most American subject I could get out of my stash. It's a nicely formed kit, and yep, not looking forward to the decal application. They are Cartograf though, and so far the tiny ones have been great.

 

[flyjoe180]

A cracking start Joe, great work on the cockpit.

Cheers Ian

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Nice to see this one off and running Joe. You made the right choice with some nose weight. I have built 2 Revell F16s and weighted them both in the nose.

 

[boatman]

VERY nice work Joe this should look very nice when built an i love planes that have nice colurs an them an this one has kit it all as jen won this on a lucky dip for 50p in a model show as she always goes on the lucky dip its in 1/72 in these colours an i keep saying build it but i dont think she can or got the intrest as she loves dioman art so i dont think it will ever get built which is a shame really an my next Build is a 1/32 F16 BUT not coloufull but a very dull grey that was sent to me by steve (airborne which was very nice of him as i intend to light up the plane but its been slightly started but should make no differece to me AN i will follow your build sir have fun
ATB
chrisb

 

[Neil]

Good start, don't envy those decals, but it will look the business when done.

 

[Geoffers]

Good start Joe

Cockpit looks very detailed, I think Academy kits are quite underrated.

Geoff.

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice to see this one off and running Joe. You made the right choice with some nose weight. I have built 2 Revell F16s and weighted them both in the nose.

Thanks Steve. I was also thinking about the clean configuration of the Thunderbirds F-16. With no external stores, there is not a lot forward of the main wheels.

 

[flyjoe180]

Good start, don't envy those decals, but it will look the business when done.

Cheers Neil. I'm sure all will be well in the end

Good start Joe

Cockpit looks very detailed, I think Academy kits are quite underrated.

Geoff.

Thanks Geoff. Yes, they have really improved a lot over the past decade or so with both their originality and refined mouldings. I really enjoy building their kits, especially those with the newer decals.

 

[flyjoe180]

VERY nice work Joe this should look very nice when built an i love planes that have nice colurs an them an this one has kit it all as jen won this on a lucky dip for 50p in a model show as she always goes on the lucky dip its in 1/72 in these colours an i keep saying build it but i dont think she can or got the intrest as she loves dioman art so i dont think it will ever get built which is a shame really an my next Build is a 1/32 F16 BUT not coloufull but a very dull grey that was sent to me by steve (airborne which was very nice of him as i intend to light up the plane but its been slightly started but should make no differece to me AN i will follow your build sir have fun
ATB
chrisb

Cheers Chris. Jen should give it a try. 50p is a bargain! Why not build it and then diamond it instead of paint Jen's Bling Machine.

1/32 is big, I look forward to seeing your build when you get around to it. The grey schemes are a bit bland, but with your lights it will really stand out.