1:48 F-16A/B ROCAF

1:48 F-16A/B ROCAF from Kinetic

A kit of the light F-16 fighter in Taiwanese service, in 1:48 scale from Kinetic. The designation A/B in the name refers to the single-seat and two-seat versions of the early production blocks, that is to the variant with the smaller tail fairing and without the later spine installations.

The real subject

The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) adopted the F-16 in the second half of the 1990s in the Block 20 standard. That combines the airframe of the early A and B versions with markedly more modern avionics and computing matching the later blocks, so the appearance deceives and the capabilities are higher than the shape of the airframe would suggest. The power is provided by an afterburning engine from the F100 family by Pratt & Whitney. The machines ensure the defense of the airspace over the Taiwan Strait, and in recent years they have been going through conversion to a modernized standard with an electronically scanned array radar.

Building and painting tips

On the F-16 the intake duct decides: sand the seams inside and spray them before the fuselage is assembled, because the opening gives a deep view inside. Finish the cockpit, with its clearly visible tub, before closing up. Coat the model with a gloss varnish before the decals; the Taiwanese national insignia are strong in color and silvering over matte paint would give the film away at once. Check the balance dry, so that the model does not settle on its tail.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of F-16 aircraft in untypical services
• Modelers interested in contemporary Asian air forces
• Builders with practice on jet models in 1:48
• Anyone interested in colorful national insignia outside the NATO standard

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The set is intended for completing a finished model; obtain the aids separately.