It is with a big sigh of relief that I can now declare this one as done! It's been quite a challenging, but fun, project. I would direct you to my Blog posts in this section if you are interested in any WIP photos and info.

Here is a summary of what went into this model:

Tamiya 1/48 F-16C/N Aggressor/Adversary
Tamiya 1/48 F-16 photo-etch & metal detail parts (pitot, AOA sensors, reinforcing plates)
Aires 1/48 F-16C/N Aggressor cockpit set (resin & p/e)
Quickboost 1/48 F-16 resin seat
Royale Resin F-16C (Block 1-32 Late) wheels
Shull24 engine nozzle
Afterburner "Arctic Aggressors" decals
Mr. Color paints
some minor scratch-built details

Oh, and for reference, the excellent Jake Melampy book "The Modern Viper Guide: The F-16C/D Exposed".

And now....

Nice job Eric. I might get inspired to get back into the ring with my F-16.

outstanding work!!!

great work im interested in knowing what did you use for the markings on the sidewinders?

Hi Justin,

Thank you! The Sidewinder markings are included with the Tamiya kit decals. These include the blue bands and the stenciling. Same thing for the ACMI pod on the other wing tip.

Cheers,
Eric

very nice.

is the aries cockpit much better than the tamiya one?

cheers paul

Awsome job Eric. The added PE and resin parts really set the build off. Exhaust nozzle and it's painting are top notch as is the detail in the rest of the bird. Great paint and weathering. Kudos!



Hermon

Hi Paul,

Thank you!

As for your question, the answer is not simple. From a detail point of view, the Aires pit is far superior. The casting is exquisite and flawless. I chose to replace the Aires seat with the one from Quickboost because the QB seat has the belts and harnesses cast in, which I prefer, rather than photo-etch bits as provided by Aires. But quess what? In case you didn't know, Quickboost IS Aires and the QB F-16 seat is identical to the one in the Aires set, except for the belts as mentioned, and a few detail bits which are also resin from QB vs. p/e from Aires. Therefore, the QB seat fits perfectly in the Aires tub.

That said, the big downside is that Aires, in their great laziness, took their F-16 cockpit mastered for the Hasegawa kit, added a totally bogus spacer to the front of the HUD cowling to make up for the longer Tamiya cockpit opening, and declared that the set was for the Tamiya F-16! They didn't even bother to change the instructions. Therefore, you are left on your own to figure out what alterations need to be made to the kit. Some surgery to the Tamiya fuselage, along with extensive grinding and sanding of said fuselage along with the resin tub and side walls, is required. MUCH repetitive dry-fitting, careful sanding, cutting, etc. is the name of the game.

I direct you to my WIP thread here which opens with some photos of what I had to do to shoehorn the Aires pit into the model. Was it worth it? I say yes, as the improved detail outweighs the effort required as well as the incorrect space in front of the HUD cowling. The latter probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone other than a hard-core F-16 fan anyway. Would I do it again? NO WAY! :-)

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/forums/154183&page=1

I hope that answers your question.

Cheers,
Eric

thanks eric...i dont mind a bit of chopping and sanding!

paul

Fantastic build.
I love modern jets in unusual schemes.
Visually much more interesting.

Brian

Super viper mate, Great job... it's a jewel... Cheers

I've never been to Alaska, but I've always wanted to see one of these in person. This came out to be a beautiful Viper mate! And people wonder why I love 1/48

Very nie,

any idea how many ours yuo have devoted to this piece of art?