1/48 Italeri F-16C

[Keith Diamond]

This has been on hold for a while, but I finally started working on it again.  The kit is actually going along better than I thought it would, and progress has been fast since I started it up again last night.

Here she is so far, with the weapons loadout on the side



closer look at the weapons.  There's a centerline tank, wing tank, 2 AIM-9s, 2 AIM-120s, 2 AIM-7s, and yes, that is an ASAT missile.  The AIM-9s and 120s are from the Italeri kit, while the AIM-7s are from the Revell F-16.  The ASAT was robbed from an Academy F-15 kit.  Although highly unlikely, I've always wanted to loadout an F-16 this way.  The ASAT will offset the wing tank on the other side.  And I've always wanted to have 3 different types of A2A missiles on a F-16



This is what the paint scheme will be based upon, except I'll use shades of black/gray instead of blue.  I bought this in a tiny aircraft set from a dollar store.  This aircraft isn't going to represent any particular country, I just want an attractive scheme with a badass loadout.  My brother is into Warhammer, and I've helped him with some decals before, so I modified some of them and plan to put them on this aircraft.  If I remember tonight, I'll try to load some images up here.



a little update, with some mods to the standard F-16 airframe



tail shot.  The black box was a spare part from the 1/48 Testors SR-71.  I've built two, so an identical piece is on the other side.  It took a while shaping the inside with a dremel, but I finally got the pieces to fit.  I added it, because I wanted more bumps and censors on the aircraft since this is %100 Whatif design, and doesn't represent any real or possibly F-16 design.  I've seen some smaller boxes on IDF F-16s, so that gave me some inspiration.  Above the boxes, you can see some more small additions.  I cut apart the exhaust feathers of a Testors F-18 to make those.  Also, you can see the extended parabrake housing I decided to use.



more bumps on the nose.  I've added about 4 additional bumps from unused parts from the kit.

[Radish]

Looking good.
I've a part-built Italeri "Big Spine" F-16D that's receiving some treatment with additional bits.
Originally (and still a possibility) it was to be RAF, but of course, it might become a Crusader aircraft.  

[Keith Diamond]

Thanks Radish.  Yeah, I checked out your link the other day on the Knights Templar.  Seems pretty interesting and full of inspiration.

Here are some of the Warhammer symbols I'm going to use.  Not representing anything, just thought they looked good.

Blood Angels



This is a mix between the Blood Angels and Ultra Marines.  I'll use this as a sort of insignia on the aircraft



Here's the underside of the aircraft with a few small editions and the pylons test fitted.



The pylons for the AIM-7 missiles.  I used the spare, inaccurate AIM-120 launch rails that come in the Hasegawa F-16 kits.  Since they're inaccurate, I have a billion of them in the spares box.  I simply cut off the rail and cemented it on the pylon.



Tail shot again.  Only difference is the addition of another bump on the parabrake housing.  The parts were also from the 1/48 SR-71 kit.  I'm debating whether or not adding something to the actual tail itself.  I have a couple of pieces in mind, but I have to sand them first to see what they'll look like.

[Keith Diamond]

No progress today, but I did run into a snag.  After drawing the paint diagrams, I realized that the proposed scheme will look too similar in color to the Colorado ANG Tiger Stripe F-16 I have on hold.  So it looks like I'm going to do a scheme similar to the one on the little airplane I bought.  I had some debate over various blue schemes.  It was difficult, because I didn't want it too look too much like a Soviet aircraft or an American Aggressor.  I finally settled on one, with a light gray underside.

Here's the original scheme I planned to use:



some other gray schemes I fiddled around with:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/KPD...7/Models/35.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/KPD...7/Models/36.jpg

and the blue scheme I decided to use:



almost chose this one, but I think the dark blue and black would blend in too easily

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/KPD...7/Models/39.jpg

other blue schemes:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/KPD...7/Models/38.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/KPD...7/Models/40.jpg

And I made a snow scheme just for kicks  

[Ollie]

We demand the snow scheme!

       

[Brian da Basher]

Yes! It definately needs a snow scheme!

Brian da Basher

[Keith Diamond]

   

Did I mention that I have an Academy F-16C, but have not commited any markings to it yet?  I've got some ideas though, that involves the snow scheme

Also, made a couple more paint diagrams



and due to popularity

[John Howling Mouse]

Suddenly, any scheme I have ever thought up seems incredibly bland.

This is a real wake-up call.

Wow...can't wait to see this applied to your model(s).

 

[cthulhu77]

cool and hot at the same time...that snow scheme rocks!

[Keith Diamond]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

I ran into a snag today.  Since I'm just now getting back into my models after a year break (or was it 2? , can't remember )  I drug out my airbrush today, and it was splattering some paint all over the place.  It screwed up part of the intake, but it shouldn't take long to fix.

But here's a pic from before the snag, of everything loaded up and fitted.



one part I'm looking forward to is the exhaust.  It will be the first time I've ever used Alclad.

[DropBear]

Wow!!!  

That snow scheme is spectacular.

I have an F-16 VISTA kit that I would like to use that scheme on. Might replace the white with a light sandstone/tan but the stripes are a great idea.

Very nice.

 

[Damian2]

Looking good Keith!! She's gonna be spectacular when you get that camo on her!!

[Keith Diamond]

thanks for the compliments guys!  I haven't forgotten about this kit.  I'm building a lot of projects at once.

Well, here's the pilot.  I have to make some decals for his helment and uniform, and then dullcote his uniform and finish detailing the helmet

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Hi Keith
Like the other guys, I really like the snow scheme, but I have to say the (very)  dark blue scheme is equally spectacular, simply because, if your F-16 is an Satellite Hunter, then it's going to need to be way up in the troposphere (spellcheck ?) when it launches the ASAT. And up there the sky is almost black.... perfect camouflage for those high altitudes.

Keep posting the progress pics. Really inspirational.

Ian

[Shasper]

I

You missed an H in Trophosphere  

Lookin good Keith, keep it up!




Shas B)