Simon's Tamiya 1:72 F16 CJ (block 50)

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So this will be my entry into this SIG. This will be my first aircraft build for some 17 years and one I am looking forward to doing.
I will be doing this build straight out of the box and keeping it as simple as possible.

All the sprue shots to follow

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The decals. Three different sets are included.

Two of the schemes that can be done with the supplied decals. I will be doing scheme A.
Scheme A 5th Air force commander, Pacific air forces, Misawa air base, Japan 2010
Scheme B 52nd Fighter wing commander, united states air forces in Europe (USAFE), Spangdahlem air base, Germany 2011

The third scheme that can be done. 79th Fighter squadron leader, 20th fighter wing, Tiger meet version, Buckley air force base, Colorado, U.S.A
August 2001

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Included is a background information sheet

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The instructions. All printed in grey scale and are very easy to follow. They included the Tamiya paint codes that are used.

So on to the actuall build. Looking through the sprues this looks like it will be a very good kit to build. There is no flash at all and the parts will only require minimal clean up after removing from the sprue. The first steps of the build.

The cockpit tub and the flight controls cut from the sprue and cleaned up ready to be glued together.

The tub with the flight controls in place. The detail is fairly minimal but will hardly be seen when its finished.

That's the first step done and these parts will be painted where required before continuing.

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Next stage to the build I made a start on the upper fuselage which comes in two pieces, These fit together really well with no filling required.


The front section requires a small hole to be drilled to locate a part. This was done with a micro drill in a pin vice. There is a small indent on the inside marking the location of the hole.

The two parts together. Also painted the inside area and around the edges of the cockpit.
Next was the landing gear bay. this required two parts to be fitted at this point in the instructions. I fitted these and then this part was painted.



This was then fitted in place on the lower part of the fuselage and the cockpit tub was then also fitted to the other side.

The cockpit tub in place. This has been painted not brilliant but you wont see it to much when its done as I will be doing it with the canopy closed.

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The upper and lower sections all joined together and ready for the wings to be fitted in place. All the parts fit really well.


The wings fitted in place.
The next step I made a start on the exhaust this is made up of three parts. Again they all fit together with no problems.


This was then fitted to the back of the main body. Only after this I realised I should of left it off till I had painted the rest of the model and this separate. Lesson learned for next time. Also at this point there was a small panel to fit to the underside.

I then made a start on the intake. I missed out the central splitter and only realised after I got to the point it would not go in the way it should.
I had to cut some of it and feed it through the opening and try and get it in place. this was fiddly but I managed it.



All built and ready to be fitted in place. Again this is probably a part where I should of at least painted the inside to make things easier.

Ready to fit to the underside.

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The build is a bit further progressed than this and I have a lot to update on the build. I am missing some photos from the build process so have not been able to do it as detailed as planned. Also really need to update the thread on a more regular basis as photobucket is an absolute nightmare as it keeps freezing making the process take twice as long as it should. Will get the rest of the build up soon to try and catch up also not long left to get it finished. Still should be finished with out to many problems. I hope anyway