General Dynamics /
Lockheed Martin F-16C block 50 
Fighting Falcon
[ Page T-2 ]
designer
   
F-16 models in 1/32 scale
F-16C "late Block 50" using the Tamiya kit   


Next steps... (see page T1 previous steps...)

The basic modifications and parts are now ready for the general assembly of the model.
..
I attached the main landing gear now. I forgot to add it immediately in step 24 , so it was needed to open a slot in the main spar #F12 to fit the leg. I did not use the screw but superglue.

Step 22
The intake was now added to the lower fuselage. I had some troubles here for a good fit, a gap would remain between the intake and fuselage. This was simply solved with some white glue that filled the gap as you can see below. 

 


Step 36
The lower wings fit perfectly. 

Step 32
Now fit the indicated main assemblies, like cockpit tub. I decided NOT to fit the radar, so leave off part F32. The radar cone was thus also fitted after fitting parts B21, B22 side panels. It needed only tiny amounts of filler. 

Step 35
The fit of the upper and lower parts is almost perfect. I only needed to run thin cement in the strakes and some superglue and putty  in areas. Make sure that the screws MB2 at the root do not interfere.

The Tamiya putty was removed after drying with "nail polish remover" found in drug stores rather than through sanding; this prevents any surface damage . 

The vertical fin base part C10 and screws were not used as the tail would be fixed to the model.


 


Steps 37 - 39
Assemble all these as desired. The Eduard set has some extra details for the nose door.

In step 40, the pylons and HARM system were not yet added. 

Step 41: HUD
Assemble as indicated

Step 42: RADAR and gun: was not fitted to this model (but to the Hasegawa F-16 MLU build)

Step 43: The gun nozzle F48 was fitted inside part B6 as it can be seen. 

Steps 44-46
Assemble the wing parts as shown. F-16's are almost always seen with "slats and flaps" up so this feature on the kit is nice but not really needed. 
At the leading edge slats, the fit is pretty tight. I had to use superglue and tiny amounts of white glue to close a little too large gaps. 

Step 47
As the engine area was adapted to show the engine separately, using spare parts from other F-16 kits, this step is not appropriate. I had to add the prepared engine "ring cone". This gave no problems, but filling was obviously needed.


Tamiya putty was used and sanding prevented as removing any excess, again with "nail polish remover" and a tissue.


Step 48-49: Vertical tail
For the F-16C, this kit has the correct "thick base" vertical tail. (the older blocks having thin base bases, like the parts in the older Hasegawa kits of the F-16A0. A perfect vertical tail assembly here with moving rudder! I did not use the teflon rings as I would fix the tail to the model anyway; 

Step 50
The horizontal stabilizers were a perfect fit also. The airbrakes were to be set open. Here the EDUARD metal set 32 128 came to good use as these airbrake parts look much better. You can however use the Tamiya airbrakes also. On the Eduard parts I had to apply some white glue to close all those tiny gaps.

There were some fit problems to get it all perfect.


"the new/ adapted" exhaust ; note the perfect round shape

The adapted ventral fins were also added and some white glue was needed to fill the gaps at the base.

Step 51
Leave off the stabilizers till later.


Model ready to receive its first light grey base coat
 

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Created this page Feb 2007