Hi John (@j-healy), Spiros (@fiveten), and John (@johnb):

I still have some stuff to do on the interior, but I figure once the interior is done things will go faster. I still need to add some decals and other detail to the seat and cockpit, as well as finishing the instrument panel. I usually use a black panel wash on the interior and gear wells, but I think it will be too stark in this case. I plan to make a wash using some dark gray artist paint and see if it looks better. I just got back from helping my son-in-law insulate the walls and ceiling of a garage that he is refinishing as a workroom. Spiros, remember when we thought things would slow down when we retired? Exactly when is that supposed to happen? Seems I am busier now than before I retired. The big payoff today was spending some quality time with my 3 year old granddaughter. Always a good time. I should have some energy to work on the F-16 tomorrow. Cheers.

Indeed, since I am retired (almost a year now), I have less and less free time, my friend @gblair! How can this happen is beyond my understanding 🙂.

I started assembling the fuselage today. I was a little worried because the upper half of the fuselage is split into 2 parts, and there are a lot of parts that need to be attached to the fuselage without a without a large seam. Most of these joins are along a panel line, so I hoped everything would fit together correctly. Tamiya planned and molded this kit flawlessly, and so far everything has fit perfectly without the need for filler. I found a 3d print file for a really detailed exhaust pipe, but it is for the Revell F-16. I printed one and will know soon if it fits like it is supposed to. I also tried to print the AN/ALQ-184 pod, but my printed didn't like it and promptly exploded the print. Will try that one again tomorrow. Cheers

11 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Excellent progress and ditto looks, my friend @gblair! The 3D afterburner duct and nozzle already look great.

Thanks, Louis (@lgardner), Spiros (@fiveten), and John (@johnb). 3D printers are sometimes frustrating because there is one specific print time per layer that will give maximum detail, but you don't know what it is. Usually the same print time that you used before will work, but I think this one will use something different. More experiments while I am building the plane. :o)

Excellent progress, my friend @gblair!

Hi, Spiros (@fiveten) and John (@johnb). Yes, this is a very nice kit, probably one of the best engineered and molded I have seen. Everything fits precisely, and no flash at all. My one complaint is that the kit doesn't have the weapons and pods that an F-16CJ would carry. The Hasegawa F-16CJ has most of the weapons I need, so I will rob them from there.