1:144 AN/ALQ 184 long for F-16

The real subject

The AN/ALQ-184 is an electronic warfare pod that an aircraft carries hung externally and that jams hostile radars. It came about by rebuilding an older system and in the US Air Force it became standard equipment on fighter and attack aircraft, the F-16 included. The pod exists in a shorter and a longer version, and this item corresponds to the longer one.

What the set solves

Stores from a kit tend to be simplified in a small scale, or to be missing from it altogether. A standalone accessory is sharper than they are in both outline and detail and makes it possible to build a machine in the particular configuration it flew on a given mission. In 1:144 scale it is a very small part that deserves careful seating.

How to work with the part

• the part is not polystyrene, and cement for plastic models has no effect on it
• bond it with super glue in tiny doses
• cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder
• wash and degrease the part before painting, otherwise the paint holds badly
• try the seating on the station dry and only then glue it permanently

Who it is for

The accessory will be appreciated by builders of contemporary combat aircraft in a small scale who care about the exact underwing equipment. It also suits a collection where several machines of the same type stand side by side and are meant to differ precisely in their equipment.

Terms of supply

The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.