Well, decided to purchase the massive Tamiya F-1CJ. First off, before people -really start criticizing my work on this, I have to state that I have been working on and inside F-16's for nine years now. I have worked on Block 30's 42's 52's and Block 50+ CCIP

I am using the decals in this kit for the 77th Fighter Squadron "The Gamblers" since that was the squadron I served six years in. I went to Iraqi Freedom with this unit, and the decals provided are for A91-1348.

I should have pictures up sometime soon, I am still learning my new digital camera.

I will say, I am open to suggestions, but bear with me, I am bad at taking criticism sometimes

Including what comes in the kit, I also bought the Eduard Color photoetched cockpit panels for some more added realism, lol.

"I will say, I am open to suggestions, but I will argue at times with you just because of my knowledge. "


Man lighten up, if you are concerned about criticism then maybe you shouldn't post allowing that door to be opened. Your statement has an air of arrogance in it. Having a working knowledge and experience around the aircraft doesn't necessitate that one is the messiah of the subject or models of it. Nothing personal but your statement does seem to draw a line in the sand, whether intentional or not.

If it weren't for constructive criticism, my skills as a modeler or as a pilot would have never improved. I'll admit I not the best at either but I can hold my own in either.

Being able to crawl in and around the jet gives you access that many modelers could only dream of. Books and photos don't have the same nuance as the real deal. Imagining what an aircraft can do by holding a model in your hand isn't the same as sitting in it while flying.

I'm looking forward to reading your comments and seeing you work. I built the 1:48 Tamiya F-16CJ, it is a magnificent kit. Remember models are representations not exact replicas and are built based on the modelers interpretation, resources, experiences and skill sets.

Yeah, you're right, and I apologize for that. guess it comes from some harsh criticisms in the past back when I was less experienced.

Yeah, I will listen to suggestions, and I am gonna be posting pics for others to use in their own projects, including rare pics of the CJ's cockpit.

I will try to be less arrogant in my future posts and will try to remain open to everyone

Here are the first, started on the engine bay.

Here are the first of some pics taken during a phase inspection while we were deployed in Saudi Arabia

Hi, Northwestern,
Thanks for posting. Those of us who don't have the sort of access that you do really appreciate your inside knowledge and reference photos. Keep it up!
Graeme.

I usually build tanks, like right now I am building Dragon's spectacular M1A2 SEP along with this F-16

I decided to do this project because at a recent local hobby show, there were at least twenty F-16 kits on display and they all had my biggest agitation when it comes to models of modern aircraft

Every F-16 had all of the panels visable by means of a wash job, and I can tell you that if you stand more than thirty feet away, the panels almost disappear. There is no real grime on the planes because crewchiefs tend to clean the planes when they have nothing else to do.

I have been doing the washjob on the engine bay, trying to get the look of grease, grime and hydraulic fluid everywhere.

I am also trying to figure out how I am gonna show the fuel that tends to "sweat" from various panels and on the wingtips. Any ideas? I was thinking future or some glosscote from Testors

Excellent pics, looking forward to more. Thanks for posting.

Well, I knew it was bound to happen, start a new kit and the deployment order comes down

So I am gonna have to put this project on hold for now, but I'll get a few more pics of the kit I have done and a few more F-16 pics for your own reference

Sorry about the orders, good luck and be safe.

Being Navy I know about the grips of a "Dirty Bird" we constantly wash the birds when I was in a squadron 13 years ago. I'ts hard to model them covered in grease it's just not accurate to the way we maintain them. Now different shades happen so I atleast try that on modern subjects.

For the fuel sweaing try using oils I find they pull away quite nicly and can be worked to a good finish. I pics of an Airacobra I wathered with oils. It's a technique I'll use from now on. I just started my first kit; Hasagawa's 1/32nd P-47, since seperating from my wife and I have to say I searched minneapolis til I found oils I just couldn't leave the cockpit freshly painted I needed my oil washes... The joy of a suttle oil wash. good luck and give it a try.
steve