Airfix 1/72 General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon, ”Desert Storm”, 1991

Started by Spiros Pendedekas · 74 · 3 years ago · 1/72, Airfix, Desert Storm, F-16
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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Thanks my friend @uscusn!

    Indeed the shallow intake is a major drawback of many older mold Falcon models (yes, even 1/48s, not as shallow as here, but, still, evident...Yes, flat black will the rear wall be painted, attempting to somehow provide a sense of more depth.

    Here is the "intermediate tone" gray applied, at the top front, a tad at the sides of the intake (as used to be the norm back in 1991, not sure if they do it nowadays, the intake color looks uniform...), the strakes' outer surface and fin. One more area should be done, the vertical sides aft of the wing, then onto the underside lightest gray (talk about braking the lighter towards darker modeling painting rules!)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Here is the Viper upon "intermediate" gray dried and masks removed:

    The tonal difference is not that contrasting and, truth is that various shades are (or were) observed in reality, especially at somehow weathered, not freshly painted birds. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    And here are the undersides and the wing tanks painted:


    Thanks for stopping by!

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    Walt said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Very interesting Model Stand Spiros, @fiveten, I am old enough to remember lawn darts. The tonal differences in the grays may seem minor, but probably more to scale than you think. Any weathering will also probably enhance the look. I like the colors and think it is a great lookin build.
    I was trying to read the cover of your magazine, but it was all Greek to me. 😉

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Thanks my friend @luftwaffe-birdman! Yep, the tonal difference is minor, especially between the (let's call it) "intermediate" and the final lighter grays. Let's see how they will turn out!
    Need to improvise regarding the stands...
    The magazine's front cover advertised a kind of Top Chef TV series... 🙂

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    And here is the Viper with masks removed:


    Tonal differences are subtle but, to my joy, still noticeable. Some touch ups to be done and off to make this beauty a "Boys from Syracuse" bird!
    Thanks for stopping by!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Beautiful paintwork, Spiros @fiveten
    I agree with Walt @luftwaffe-birdman, the tonal difference is subtle but still noticeable. And after weathering it will come at perfectly.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Thanks my friend @johnb!

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    After a coat of Future, decals started to be applied:


    The decals present some off registration /off color problems (they are the older style Airfix/Heller type), but nothing really serious. They do adhere very well and snuggle onto the surface, though.
    Thanks for stopping by!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    The tail marking does look great, Spiros @fiveten
    Looking forward to have it fully decalled.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Thanks my friend @johnb!
    The decals are not excellent, but "better than expected", so all is good!

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Decaling in process...


    A gazillion of stencils and many walk lines have to be applied, thankfully they are not very brittle.
    Here is the progress so far:
    Thanks for stopping by!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Looking nice Spiros @fiveten.
    Nerves wracking process to get all these small stencils applied.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Thanks my friend @johnb!
    Yep, those 1/72 decals ARE a mini challenge to affix! Still a few to go...

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    John Healy said 3 years, 2 months ago:

    Looking good, Spiros! It’s nice to see an older kit built to a high standard.