1:48 F-16C Fighting Falcon

Italeri F-16C Fighting Falcon 1:48

An injection-molded plastic kit of the single-seat multirole F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter in 1:48 scale from the Italian brand Italeri. The package holds gray-molded sprues, clear parts for the canopy and a decal sheet with marking options; the exact contents may differ between individual releases of this tooling. The kit represents the single-seat C version with more capable systems.

The real subject

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is among the most widespread fighters in the world. The F-16C version is a single-seat multirole form with more advanced avionics and radar, able to carry out air combat tasks as well as attacks on ground targets. Typical features are the bubble canopy with its excellent all-round view, the side-mounted control stick and the row of hardpoints under the wings and fuselage for armament and drop tanks.

Building and painting tips

Bond the plastic with thin modeling cement, and sand and fill the joints of the fuselage and the air intake carefully. The engraving of the panel lines is fine, so a wash flowed into them will show up nicely. Finish the cockpit and the instrument panel before closing the fuselage, and use masks on the glazing. The nose gear and the hollow intake duct deserve attention. Spray the gray camouflage of the US Air Force with an airbrush after a primer has been applied, and gloss varnish helps under the decals.

Who the model is for

• An injection-molded plastic kit of the F-16C fighter in 1:48 scale
• The single-seat multirole version with hardpoints for armament and tanks
• Suited to modelers with basic experience of building aircraft
• Of interest to collectors of modern jet hardware
• A good basis for practicing the camouflage and patina of modern fighters

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.