1/32 Academy F-16I Sufa - NOW COMPLETED

[Jamesv9820]

Its been a while since I have done a WIP so this one will be coming on here soon.

I am using the Academy F-16I Sufa kit, complete with the following resin upgrades:

Wolfpack F-16I Sufa Cockpit set
Wolfpack F-16I Sufa Exterior Set
Aires Burner Can
Wheeliant F-16I Bulged Wheel Set.

All the resn has just been washed this evening so pics will follow in the next few days.

This is another commission build so will be going to a new home soon!

[scotthldr]

Should be another stunning build, will be watching this one progress

[ArabJazzie]

As i dont have the room for such a big kit, i shall just have to and just watch!
Arabest,
Geoff.

[TomTwin]

To do exactly this was one of my upcoming plans. You beat me to it, damn you!

Will be watching this with HUGE interest!

[Jamesv9820]

Cheers guys,

First update is as follows:

I have cleaned all the parts down and have primed the resin parts as I intend to get these out the way first, possibly the weapons too as I always hate doing them at the end!

First up is the standard box shot of the resin. I am not going to bother with the sprue shots as frankly there is LOADS of plastic and you would just die of boredom! What is interesting though is the inclusion on AIM-9X's in the kit so these will be used on my F-15C/E in the future!



You will also see the burner can and Wheeliant Wheels in this shot, both are simply stunning and worth every penny!

I have also started the Cockpit; this consists of a resin block which is frankly superb! If you have one of these ktis, just invest in one of these, you will not be disappointed! The resin block also fits like a glove and with the exception of removing the block off the underside, you will not need to carry out any major surgery as it is already done for you!



The kit wheel wells - Primed and ready to go. Note the joins need to be cleaned up on this one!



Upper fuselage - complete with conformal tanks. These fitted well but I found a bit of cyno acryli was needed to ensure they were glue in place as one one location pin is included which makes locating the exact spot difficult!



Just to show you the fit of the cockpit, as it stands at the moment!!



More soon guys



Also the top spine has a minor lip on it, where a little surgery and re scribing will be required.

[TomTwin]

A fantastic start, considering the Wolfpack cockpit set should I ever get to do one of these, going to have to break my resin cockpit duck soon!

[scotthldr]

Some very nice detail in that 'tub' and with the dorsal spine and CFT's fitted it already looks a purposeful bird.

However I'm going to ruin your night now, the exhaust you have is the wrong type. You want the PW F-100-229 Blk 42/52, the one you have is the GE F110-100 for Blk 40/50.

http://www.cavok-aviation-photos.net/Ramon/F16I_440.jpg

[Jamesv9820]

Bo**ocks.... Thanks Scott for pointing that out...
Is there much diference, just been looking a the pic, and apart from the diferent power plants, the petals seem the same?

I might have to go with this one for the moment as it was supplied with the kit..

Some very nice detail in that 'tub' and with the dorsal spine and CFT's fitted it already looks a purposeful bird.

However I'm going to ruin your night now, the exhaust you have is the wrong type. You want the PW F-100-229 Blk 42/52, the one you have is the GE F110-100 for Blk 40/50.

http://www.cavok-aviation-photos.net/Ramon/F16I_440.jpg

[scotthldr]

Is there much diference, just been looking a the pic, and apart from the diferent power plants, the petals seem the same?

Yes, the petals are different in shape/size and material (PW uses carbon fibre) and the internal AB ring and exhaust tube are also different.

What you have: http://www.usaf-sig.org/images/stories/ ... C_0088.jpg

What you need: http://www.usaf-sig.org/images/stories/ ... 260164.jpg

[Jamesv9820]

Bum...

I have already painted 70% of it too....

[Deacon]

Cracking start James.

I do enjoy watching your WIP's.

Alan

[TomTwin]

By the way, where did you get the Wolfpack sets from? Their website or a UK distributor?

If it was from themselves, how much was postage?

[Jamesv9820]

Tom,

All the kits and aftermarket parts were supplied by the owner of thekit, I am just making it for him!

But, I think he got it from SprueBrothers (not sure on that but I think so)

[TomTwin]

Thanks for the help mate, just I plan on one of these and an F-16F in the future, so just wondered where you could get Wolfpack from, they seem to be quite good.

[scotthldr]

Sprue Brothers are your best bet with live stock levels, they are also cheaper than anywhere else that I can find, postage is very reasonable and they only charge you for the exact amount of postage. They will charge you a set amount at the checkout stage in order to process the order but will refund you the difference if any. They will also turn your order round in 24 hrs with the goods arriving on your door within the week.

They are my number one choice for buying resin sets and decals nowadays

[Jamesv9820]

Guys,

Bit of an update.

The cockpit in now in and painted for the first stage. I Must admit the fit was excellent with no major surgey being require which was a bonus. The cockpit itself was finished with a mixture of Gunze Paints (H77, H308), Citadel Skull White, Blood Red & Sunset Yellow, Burnt Umber and Paynes Grey Washes, and a subtle and VERY light drybrush with Humbrol Enamel (Hu85). You cannot really see much in the pictures but it does look very good.

The fit of the fuselage was a little disappointing but nothing a bit of fullier does not sort out. I have also added on the Wolfpack "exterior" set as well, not much to it, but it makes the difference. There is still a bit more tidying jobs to do on the airframe before priming but I'll let the pictures do the talking tonight...

[TomTwin]

Cracking start as alway James!

I must get me one of these from RIAT!

[Jamesv9820]

Try these peoplehttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/F-16I-SUFA-Academy-Model-Kit-Fighter-Airplane-Israel-Fighting-Falcon-1-32-Scale-/180847083991?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item2a1b5381d7 - much cheaper and to be honest mine was delivered in 7 days!

[TomTwin]

Very tempting.....

[Jamesv9820]

Go on do it!

It is a good kit, it also have a few spare sniper pods and AIM-9X's in the kit too!

[Deacon]

Nice job on the pit so far James.

Looking forward to your next update.

Alan

[Craig]

Superb that cockpit looks the business!

[Jamesv9820]

Right a small update this evening - I have done a little more since these photos were taken in the shape of the nose being painted and the undersides being painted grey but the camouflage in about 95% completed on the upper surface, I just need to tidy some bits and bobs up on it... It was done via the Blu-Tack method and loads of Kip tape!

First - the camouflage













I have also completed the cockpit minus a few switches and the eection seats (Still WIP)







Wheels - I really like these - All that is left is to paint the undercarrige and add the air caps to the wheels





More soon!

[Deacon]

Absolutely fantastic James.

Do you pre-shade your builds mate? I can't recall and you can't always tell from photos.

Alan

[Jamesv9820]

Cheers Alan, thank you for the kind comment

No preshade on the upper surface, but I did on the bottm. To be honest you really cannot see it with the paint on...

The wheels were painted with both Gunze and Tamiya paints, and finished with pastels...