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Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 12th, 2013, 8:34 pm
by TomW
I remember this kit as being either the second or third kit that my Dad built for me back in the early nineties, the others being the Airfix Harrier GR.5 and Tornado F.3. I know the Harrier was the first ever bought for me but wasn't released till 1991 so is just outside the 25 year cut off. It was a toss up between the Tornado and the Falcon as to which I wanted to build for this years display but the Falcon won out by being clearer in my memory and being the one that hasn't survived to this day.

Box Art:


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I remember clearly bugging my dad to include the staining around the gun muzzle :lol:



Sprue shot:


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Decals (all in register :shock:)



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It's a lovely simple kit with a lot of fine raised detail, 'm hoping that there shouldn't be any major hassles and will be re-creating the box top option as that is exactly how my Dad built it all those years ago :grin:


Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 14th, 2013, 9:21 am
by Ian
Haven't built one of these for a while. Not a bad kit, fit-wise, if memory serves.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 16th, 2013, 7:31 pm
by JamesPerrin
Sorry I didn't see this until now as I was on hols last week. Nice choice, I'm intrigued as I don't think I've seen one built up. I think the Airfix kitsof modern fighters get overlooked for the shiny Tamigawa equivalents or even those by Revell/Italeri.
TomW wrote:I remember clearly bugging my dad to include the staining around the gun muzzle :lol:

Yes, even this shoddy excuse for boxart could inspire you to add weathering! Look forwards to seeing more.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 17th, 2013, 4:53 pm
by shangos70
Nice choice Tom, I've just made a start on the same from the deep stash.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 19th, 2013, 6:00 pm
by TomW
A little bit of progress on the Falcon to report:


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Cockpit is in situ with some lead in the nose just in case. Next is to paint the seat cushions and apply a wash to bring out the panel detail before I close up the fuselage.

Does anyone have a spare two-seater canopy for one of these?? unfortunately mine has a big crack in the side and isn't repairable :evil:

Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 23rd, 2013, 6:14 pm
by TomW
I've finished off the Falcon's cockpit today with a little gentle drybrushing and a dark wash:



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The fuselage is also together as you can see from the photo's, next I'll fill and sand the various little gaps and seams before getting the wings, fin and tailplane on.

Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 23rd, 2013, 8:00 pm
by ejsnotgrass
Hi Tom,if you are still needing a canopy, I will send what I think is the one you require,however it has been painted so you will probably have to strip it.

PM me your addy and I will send it off to you.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 25th, 2013, 4:28 pm
by TomW
Thanks Iain, PM inbound :-D this is a close-up of the canopy so you can see if yours is a match:


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You can also see the huge crack in the side which is beyond my abilities to salvage :evil:




The Falcon is looking a bit more like the sleek fighter it should be with wings and tail in place:


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There hasn't been too much filling and sanding required, at least no more than is normal for Airfix/Heller moulds of this vintage. I've concentrated on those areas that are most visible first as these shots show:


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Moving along nice and quickly with this build and should have the majority airframe ready for painting soon.

Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: June 25th, 2013, 7:27 pm
by shangos70
Looking good Tom, I'm about as far along with mine. I filled those gaps underneath before adding the intake as it made it easer to get at plus I had sink marks on the intake sides too. If you cant strip Iain's canopy you can have mine as I'm doing the single seater.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: July 16th, 2013, 10:55 pm
by BlohmWolf
That doesn't look too bad. Good work with the cockpit and other items.

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: July 17th, 2013, 3:40 am
by PaulBradley
Coming along nicely, Tom.

I still find it hard to take that this is someone's FIRST CBK.....(I'm getting old....)

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: July 17th, 2013, 5:38 pm
by TomW
Thanks guys :) , Paul don't forget that I'm still able to class myself as a young modeller (Just, thirty is getting closer every day :shock: ) and this kit made its first appearance in the mid-eighties which is almost 30 years ago now.

Not much to report with the Falcon other than the filling and sanding is finished and there is some white paint in the intake and wheel bays, I'll pop up some progress pics at the weekend. Hopefully by then my other two build will be under way as the 1/48th Mosquito is in the post to me and HMS Victory is glaring out of her box at me :twisted:

Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: July 20th, 2013, 10:19 pm
by TomW
Had a very productive day at the bench today and got the first coat of paint onto the Falcon:


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Starting to look how I remember it hung from my bedroom ceiling now :-D

Regards

Tom

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: July 21st, 2013, 3:20 am
by PaulBradley
It's not that I disagree with the age of the kit, Tom. What concerns me is that I easily remember when it came out...

Re: Airfix F-16A/B Fighting Falcon 1/72

Posted: August 5th, 2013, 5:43 pm
by TomW
Still making progress with this little gem of a kit :) started to get the decals in place:



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Next I'll be making lots of ordnance to hang under the wings :-D

Regards

Tom