Kinetic 1/48 F-16AM Tiger Meet 2009

[TonyCnyc]

Here's my entry for the F-16 SIG.

This is Kinetic's 1/48 F-16AM BLOCK 20 BAF 31 Tiger Squadron - NATO Tiger Meet 2009. Kit #K48036, released 2011.

You can read more about this particular aircraft's history over at f-16.net: http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F ... ofile/848/

From Wikipedia:
The NATO Tiger Association or the Association of Tiger Squadrons was established in 1961. Promoted by French Defence minister Pierre Messmer, its role is to promote solidarity between NATO air forces. It is not, though, part of the formal NATO structure.
The USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) 79th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron) took the initiative and on 19 July 1961 they invited No. 74 Squadron RAF and EC (Fighter Squadron) 1/12 Provence of the French Armée de l'air to Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO.
As of March 2015, the squadrons[1] included in the Association are 23 full members, 10 honorary members, 1 probationary member, and 7 disbanded members, all of which have a tiger as part of its squadron crest. As well as being opportunities for NATO air forces to share ideas and experiences, the ‘Tiger Meets’ are also public relations exercises for NATO. NATO aircraft are often brightly painted with tiger stripes.

In 1989 a two-year study began regarding possible mid-life upgrades for the USAF's and European Partner Air Forces' (EPAF's) F-16A/Bs. The resulting F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU) package was designed to upgrade the cockpit and avionics to the equivalent of that on the F-16C/D Block 50/52; add the ability to employ radar-guided air-to-air missiles; and to generally enhance the operational performance and improve the reliability, supportability and maintainability of the aircraft. Aircraft receiving this set of updates are designated F-16AM or F-16BM.

What's in the box:



























And a video unboxing:
[youtube]yb60jSrzyyI[/youtube]

Thanks for looking.

Have a happy and safe New Years!

[peppie]

Thank you explaining this Tigermeet stuff to me.
Heard many times about it but never knew what it was.

Looks like you've got a lot off decalling to look forward to

[ToddS]

Looks like a nice build. The Revell 1/72 version has no PE nor as many parts. The decals, being larger, should be fun. Enjoy the build..

[TonyCnyc]

A couple of quick weekend updates on the build.

Started with test fitting some of the major parts. One thing I notice with this kit is that some of the sprue gates are on the large, thick side relative to say a modern Tamiya kit. Nothing that can't be dealt with, but something to be mindful of as one trims the parts off the sprue. Make sure to have a clean edge before assembly to avoid fit issues. Test fitting and adjusting highly recommended. I have newer F-16 Kinetic kits and the sprues are visually better than this 2008 release. YMMV.

[youtube]lKG1KvZyd9g[/youtube]

Following day worked on the intake, main wheel well and cockpit. The ejection seat is lacking and will replace with a resin one later in the build.
[youtube]NyQeNdEXF5U[/youtube]

Thank you for looking.

[MarkVerploeg]

Looks like a nice build
keep up the good work

[TonyCnyc]

Looks like a nice build
keep up the good work

Thanks!

[TonyCnyc]

Hello all, here's my next update on this kit detailing some fit issues, and showing the painted exhaust nozzle, and the aftermarket seat. Thanks for watching!

[youtube]XxkdiSsOd4g[/youtube]

[TonyCnyc]

A quick update on starting the decals after priming and base coating. Thanks for watching!

[youtube]ekGerKgaOFk[/youtube]

[TonyCnyc]

Talking about the decals.

[youtube]cdF7uA7KDvE[/youtube]

[TonyCnyc]

Final reveal:

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 47&t=16697

[ToddS]

Yo dude, NICE JOB!! Glad I saw the last post. I am planning on taping the gear doors in the closed position, applying the decal, then cut around the opening after they are set and dried. Do you think this is an advisable to proceed or would it be better to cut them into smaller pieces?
Like I said, great work...

[TonyCnyc]

Yo dude, NICE JOB!! Glad I saw the last post. I am planning on taping the gear doors in the closed position, applying the decal, then cut around the opening after they are set and dried. Do you think this is an advisable to proceed or would it be better to cut them into smaller pieces?
Like I said, great work...

Thanks Todd!

That's an option, although the landing gear doors have tabs which would prevent them from laying down flat over the wheel wells, plus the way the landing gear is as one piece to be installed before middle bottom is installed, makes it difficult. One could cut the tabs, cut the main gear in half, then install later. I'd be concerned that would weaken the main landing gear part and/or not get them or the doors to fit at the correct angle.

Cutting up the decals around the gear doors can be tricky as one doesn't know exactly where to cut. The whole aircraft is basically one big decal puzzle that has to line up otherwise looks off. But I would definitely cut the larger wing and top spine decals along the tiger stipe markings. I'd also cut as close to the decal's edge and test fit where possible before dunking them in water. That's probably the thing I got out of this kit - test fit everything!

Hope that helps! Good luck with your build - look forward to seeing it!