1/48 Hasegawa F-16N NFWS "Topgun"
Hi all.
This one is the first for 2023 though I started it a few years ago with the bulk of the work done last year. It's the venerable 1/48th Hasegawa F-16N. I eyed off the 72nd version when I was a kid but never built it so when this 48th version kit came up cheap on a swap and sell table I had to have it. I had aftermarket decals at hand to replace the old kit items in the way of the W&D Studio decals. Of course the Topgun NFWS option was chosen. Sad to say they aren't all that great as heapings of decals softener barely moved them. The only other small enhancements are DXM pitot and AOA probe and fibre optic cable for the static dischargers. The pilot is from the kit and I replaced the paltry AIM-9 representation with a better version from one if the Hasegawa weapon sets. The timber base is courtesy of some offcuts from Bunnings. My wife recently bought herself a router so I added a 45 degree bevel to tidy up the base. The rod is some clear perspex sanded with some 600 to frost it up.
The F-16N was the true hotrod variant with its small mouth inlet and big engine exhaust so I had to put it in flight. I cracked the air brakes so the pilot could pull the nose over to get a gunshot on his blue adversary...who knows what happened next.
Cheers,
Mick
Lots of fun, Michael, love the display.
Thanks George.
Very nicely done, Michael @mickdrover
The detailing and painting is really exceptional.
Much appreciated John.
A wonderful result, Michael!
That's a great display, putting the model "in its element." Nice work all around.
Cheers Tom.
Lovely Viper build Michael. Great scheme it's good to see the aging Hasegawa kit looking so good 😊 Nice one 👍
Thanks Guy. I've got a few more Hase kits on the. One I'd like to do as an Aviano 555th jet used in Operation Allied Force set on a similar base but just lifting off with the gear retracting.
One thing I don't like about the kit is the intake trunking and getting it tidy...not a fan of that.
Cheers,
Mick
Strewth Mate! 😁 That is a beaut Mick @mickdrover, and I especially like those muted colors. Well done sir!
Have a short, cold, stubby one on me!🍺
Thanks Gary...I can hear some Crocodile Dundee in that !
The bar fridge is right next to my work bench so noted!
Cheers,
Mick
Raw power! Nice inflight build!
Thanks Robert.
The Viper looks good in those colors! Nicely done.
Thanks Greg. I like the combo of colours too.
Mick