Eduard 1/48 F-16 NATO Falcons

[woody37]

F-16 NATO Falcons

Eduard 1:48

In 1973, one of the most versatile aircraft that's ever flown took to the air for the first time, the YF-16. Experience in Vietnam led to the need in the US for a lightweight fighter (LWF) with high agility and performance, however this need was challenged due to the parallel drive to equip with F-15's. The challenge was put to bed by an agreement to provide the US Air Force with a mix of High / low cost air superiority fighters, each having their own benefits. The competition came down to two competing aircraft, the YF-16 and the YF-17 which also had its success as it eventually became the F-18. Interest in the LWF program grew in Europe by NATO members Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands & Norway who were looking to replace their aging F-104 fighter bombers, so the need stretched the original air superiority fighter into an aircraft with air/ground attack capability. Initial production of the F-16 was commenced in the US, however to date, a further 4 production lines subsequently run, Belgium and the Netherlands starting in the 1970's, Turkey in the 1980's and Korea in the mid 90's. Key attributes of the F-16 are a light weight blended wing airframe with large strakes to improve high AoA manoeuvres as well as being able to increase airframe strength and internal volume, the first unstable Fly-by-wire control system linked to a side stick control, Hands-on-throttle (HOTAS) functionality and a reclined 30 degree seat to enable higher G tolerances for the pilot, although this was bred from the need to fit the seat under the canopy ! It also has an incredible thrust to weight ratio of over 1 giving an excellent combat envelope. Air & ground attack weapons can be carried across 9 hard points. Early aircraft were powered by the P&W F100 of around 24,000lb thrust, where as the most powerful versions now put out over 32,000lbs using the GE F110 powerplant. Such is the flexibility of the airframe, upgrades to avionics have been immense making the F-16 development quite complex to track. The original F-16A/B encompassed blocks 1, 5, 10, 15 & 20 with 15's being noticeably different due to the larger tail planes. The F-16C/D introduced an all-weather capability and formed blocks 30/32, 40/42 & 50/52 (the 0 refers to GE powered aircraft, the 2 refers to P&W powered ones). The F-16E/F benefits from a further improved radar, more powerful engine and the ugly but effective conformal fuel tanks which saddle the upper wing roots. Export versions, licence built and other variants such as the ADF further complicate the line up of F-16 models such is the flexibility of this nimble fighter. I'm sure the F-16 experts reading this will point out some errors in my facts ! For a fighter aircraft that first flew in 1973, it's amazing to think that the F-16 is still being developed and competitive nearly 40 years on and has served with no less than 25 nations.

The kit

Eduard's new kit is the F-16A/AM/ADF based on the excellent Kinetic kit first released in 2008. Now I remember building a couple of 1/48 F-16A's in the 80's before Lockheed & the licence manufacturers had been able to tinker too much with it, so the kits were pretty simple back then. Moving on to the 21st century (now I'm feeling old !!!) this kit is something different, it must be a model manufacturers nightmare such are the variants now available and the detail differences between each !

So on opening the box, what are you presented with ? Well quite a lot, in fact, a hell of a lot ! You get no less than 15 sprues of grey plastic, 2 sprues of clear plastic, the Brassin resin upgrade set, 2 frets of etch, one of which is coloured, paint masks for the canopy, an incredible sheet of decals and typical of Eduard, an excellent instruction book printed in colour on glossy paper.

The basic fuselage and wings come in two halves, top and bottom, however the top part only goes up to the leading edge of the wing with a third part providing the cockpit area up to the radome. Surface detail has a matt texture and superbly recessed panel lines. There's no evidence of sink marks or other imperfections on the external surfaces. The wing slats and flaps are provided as separate parts so you have the option to fit them either retracted or drooped. It's important to follow the instructions carefully as Eduard provide etch and resin replacement parts, but the kit also contains the original injection moulded parts. I'd also recommend being clear on what aircraft you intend to model before you start. There are so many options provided in the kit, you need to ensure you fit the right bits for your chosen kite.

Assembly starts with the cockpit which if you like makes use of the coloured etch parts. Clear instructions are provided to show what plastic detail needs removing to fit the etch. You won't be dissappointed with the detail. Attention then moves to the highly detailed main undercarriage bay and mid intake duct. A full intake duct is provided in the kit. The Brassin set gets its introduction here as the resin compressor blades are fitted to the rear of the duct. The detail on this is quite exquisite. This sub assembly is then fitted into the lower fuselage half. Attention moves to the top by assembling the front and rear fuselage parts before adding more etch and plastic around the cockpit combing and sidewalls. With this done, the cockpit tub assembly can be inserted into the upper fuselage. You have the choice of having the air brakes on the tail opened or closed. If you decide to open them, then etch and plastic opening mechanisms are provided. On joining the fuselage up, there's an array of etch detail to be fitted such as vents. Care needs to be taken around the nose area as there are several optional parts such as the IFF bulges ahead of the canopy and the 150,000 candlepower spotlight equipped left side panel below the IFF panel used on the Danish and Norwegian versions. Again, check your references carefully. Another fine addition to the Brassin set is the inclusion of the afterburner section. This along with the fine etch parts creates a stunning rendition of the F100 tail end although the kit burner can isn't bad either.

Next is the assembly of the front intake duct and nose wheel bay. This is the original smaller intake duct, not the larger one fitted on later more powerful variants. Brassin comes in again now with some beautifully formed resin wheels, although the injection moulded parts are certainly not bad representations. Further etch enhancements such as brake lines and Oleo links add to the party. The etch set provides several external reinforcement plates for the upper wing / centre fuselage area. According to the instructions, these are only for the ADF Italian version, how accurate that is I'm not sure, so I'd recommend you check. Even the tail comes with a number of options, however the instructions appear to be incorrect as they don't show the bulged tail base that the ADF variant uses despite being contained in the kit. You get the normal and the parapack extended tail options too.

The only dissappointment I've come across is the fact that whilst decals are provided for variants using both the original small and later larger tailplanes, both parts aren't provided in the kit. You have to cut the larger ones down, however that will also require sanding the trailing edges down which will require care to get an even finish if you choose the Danish version. Whilst the static dischargers are moulded onto the tailplanes and ailerons, if you're like me, they'll be broken off within minutes. Fear not, the etch set provides nice replacements so best to leave them off until the end. The pilot's seat is fitted towards the end of the build which always helps when it comes to masking at the painting stage. Again, Brassin adds a delightful resin replacement here which is further enhanced with etch details including the seatbelts and ejector handles.

Now for the part that the Kinetic kit excels over its competition, the weapon options. A loadout plan is contained in the instructions making it very easy to see what can go where. I'd check references again here if you want to ensure that your build has accurate loadouts for the actual variant, but no matter what you choose, there will be a huge pile of spares left over !

The weapons included are:

AIM-9M x 2

AIM-120B x 2

AIM-120C x 2 (not shown in instructions)

300 Gallon centre tank

370 Gallon wing tanks x 2

AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN

AGM-65 Maverick x 2

GBU-12 Paveway II x 2

GBU-24 Paveway III x 2

AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod

GBU-31 x 2

GBU-87 x 2

Mk.82 x 2 (not shown in instructions)

Sniper XR

The clear parts included are beautifully clear. A large fret with the array of lights is complemented by the separate canopy parts and a clear film for the HUD glass. There is a fine line along the top of the canopy due to the moulding process, but it shouldn't be difficult to sand it out of you choose.

The Decals

The sheet printed by Cartograph is quite stunning. Colours are rich and register is spot on. The tiger scheme on the tail of the Norwegian scheme is very complex, but the printing method has done a remarkable job of reproducing the detail. The schemes are:

F-16A ADF Block 15, Italian Air Force, 5th Stormo based at Cervia AB 2010 - one of two aircraft that wore this disbandment artwork

F-16AM 338th Sqn, Royal Norwegian Airforce 2009 with incredible Tiger artwork to represent the squadrons membership in the NATO Tiger Association

F-16A Block 20, 323 Sqn, Royal Dutch Air Force based at Leeuwarden AB 2001, with tail artwork of 'Dianna, goddess of the hunt'

F-16AM Block 10, ESK370 Sqn, Royal Danish Air Force 2010-2012 with artwork celebrating the Royal Danish Air Force 60th anniversary

Conclusion

As you've probably guessed by now, I like this kit a lot. The moulding is of high quality, the only sink marks I could find were on the main gear doors and they aren't bad. The additional parts that Eduard have added to the Kinetic kit are well thought out and you really don't need anything other than what's been provided in the box. Unlike some kits, you are spoilt for choice with the weapon options available and the spares box will be somewhat more full too afterwards !There's many options that need to be studied before and throughout your build due to the variations between versions, but your patience will be rewarded. This is the most comprehensive F-16 kit in 1/48 scale to date despite the price being very competitive. I've no doubt that it will continue to set the benchmark for a long time.

Review sample courtesy of

[Jens]

The etch set provides several external reinforcement plates for the upper wing / centre fuselage area. According to the instructions, these are only for the ADF Italian version, how accurate that is I'm not sure, so I'd recommend you check.

The large reinforcement plates (PE parts 72 and 73) were fitted to all Danish F-16s. The smaller 'dog bone' reinforcements were not fitted to all Danish F-16s so it would be advisable to check your references.

The Decals

The sheet printed by Cartograph is quite stunning. Colours are rich and register is spot on. The tiger scheme on the tail of the Norwegian scheme is very complex, but the printing method has done a remarkable job of reproducing the detail. The schemes are:

F-16A ADF Block 15, Italian Air Force, 5th Stormo based at Cervia AB 2010 - one of two aircraft that wore this disbandment artwork

F-16AM 338th Sqn, Royal Norwegian Airforce 2009 with incredible Tiger artwork to represent the squadrons membership in the NATO Tiger Association

F-16A Block 20, 323 Sqn, Royal Dutch Air Force based at Leeuwarden AB 2001, with tail artwork of 'Dianna, goddess of the hunt'

F-16AM Block 10, ESK370 Sqn, Royal Danish Air Force 2010-2012 with artwork celebrating the Royal Danish Air Force 60th anniversary

I know you have probable just quoted the instructions, but the RNeAF never had block 20 F-16s. They had/have block 1 & 5 (upgraded to block 10 standard), block 10 (partially upgraded to block 15 standard) and block 15. Many of these were later MLU'ed. F-16 block 20 are basically new-built A/B MLU airframes and not used by any European operator.

Eduard also made a typo in the information regarding the Danish F-16AM. It should be ESK 730, not 370.

Jens

[Giorgio N]

A question on the nose/radome: does this kit has the original bad looking parts as in the first kinetic F-16s or the later improved parts ? I'm quite tempted by the package !

[Jens]

I am convinced the fuselage parts are the later, revised version.

Jens

[Giorgio N]

Thanks Jens, this is good news !

[woody37]

Thanks Jens, you're knowledge of the F-16 is much appreciated

Cheers, Neil