F-16CJ Viper

2021 Model Build #4 - 1/48 Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon (Viper)

This is possibly the best kit I've ever had the pleasure of building. It went together so well that it was just a joy to build. This one incorporated just about all my hobbies into one project - electronics, photography, flying, 3D printing and woodworking.

The kit:
The kit is the Tamiya (61098) kit from 2007. The fit was almost perfect. I had a little difficulty with the top of the fuselage mating properly, but I think this was my mistake in not quite fitting the intake barrel correctly. It's also the first kit that I've finished without losing a part or destroying a decal!

The electronics:
Just to up the level of difficulty, I decided long before starting it that I wanted to put lights in it. For the most part it wasn't too difficult. I really wanted to light the instrument panels, but unfortunately my attempt at clear resin casting the cockpit didn't quite work out so at the last minute I swapped to the kit cockpit and instead just lit the HUD. The wing lights are also not as bright as I would've hoped, especially for the effort drilling out the wing tips to fit them, but there's nothing I can do about it.

There's a total of 9 LEDs in it, covering the HUD, navigation lights, formation lights and anti-collision light. Inside the model is just the LEDs and the connector (and a lot of wiring!). Underneath the base is an LED driver and Raspberry Pi Pico running a custom program (~550 lines of code). There's a button on the frame that cycles through 6 different display profiles. Using the LED driver simplifies the electronics considerably.

The base:
The base uses a photo I took when flying past the Coorong years ago. I added motion blur and stuck it on some MDF. The frame is made from a piece of pine. The mounting plate is a combination of a 3D printed plate with a moulded putty (with Milliput) top that perfectly fits the fuselage. I used tape on the (unpainted) fuselage then put the putty over the top to get the right shape. It wasn't too hard to remove afterwards. The top includes a rare earth magnet and the connector. The plane has a corresponding magnet to hold it in place. I've not tried that approach before, but it avoided adding more holes to the model. It works, but it probably would be better with another magnet near the front of the base, or if the base was further forward.

The finishing:
It's painted with Vallejo acrylics. I went back to using Tamiya enamels for the lights (clear green and red) as they're much better than the Vallejo ones. I did a little weathering with oil paints and Tamiya black panel liner. The decals were put on with Microscale Micro Set and Micro Sol. The Micro Set worked really well, again, for the first time. I also managed to get the Vallejo Gloss Varnish to spray properly. I've never been able to do that before. I dipped the canopy in Gauzy Agent (first time using it), and the result was incredible. It's by far the best canopy I've done.

The markings used are just the kit ones from the 79th Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter Wing showing the special "Tiger Meet of the Americas" scheme. Overall this was on the bench for around 5 weeks. It was a build that wasn't just satisfying to see it come together, but was also really enjoyable along the way. I'm incredibly happy with the end result, even if I didn't get the cockpit lit up as I originally planned.

The lessons:
- Vallejo Gloss Varnish can work if mixed properly
- Gauzy Agent is much better than Alclad Aqua Gloss for dipping canopies
- Resin casting using Blue Stuff isn't so daunting, but still requires thought to get the mould to work properly
- Modelling an aircraft wheels up saves a lot of time and effort!

The firsts:
- Custom made base - very happy
- Resin casting using Blue Stuff moulds - almost worked, but was maybe a bit ambitious
- LED driver for lighting - Allows brightness to be easily adjusted after the build is complete
- Milliput moulded base - fits perfectly to the fuselage
- Finishing a kit without loosing a part or destroying a decal!
- Mounting with rare earth magnets - works great!

The good:
- The fit and finish is probably my best yet (more down to the kit than my skill I think)
- The lighting setup worked well
- Just about everything!

The bad:
- The wingtip lights are a bit dull
- The resin casting didn't quite work as my mould wasn't quite the right shape

Next up is either a 1/72 Airfix Grumman Wildcat for a simple build or Great Wall Hobbies F-14D Tomcat for a very complex build.