1:72 F-16 Royal Danish Air Force, Solo Display 2024 Half Century Viper

Half a century since the first Viper flew

The prototype of the lightweight fighter from which the F-16 developed lifted off the runway at the start of 1974. The year 2024 was therefore marked by the anniversary in a number of air forces, and Denmark prepared a solo display machine for it with full-surface artwork. It runs from the nose across the spine and the sides of the fuselage all the way to the vertical tail and carries motifs referring to half a century of the type's service.

An extensive scheme means an extensive sheet

Sets for full-surface anniversary artwork are among the most demanding things decal production offers. Instead of a handful of insignia you get large shaped segments that have to settle onto the curve of the fuselage, onto the wing root and around the air intake. It is exactly the extent of the print that explains why such a set holds many times the printed area of an ordinary markings sheet.

How to proceed

The foundation is a perfectly smooth gloss base, ideally polished with a fine polish. Work from the top down, that is from the spine pieces to the side ones, and before you reach for the next segment let the previous one set. The landing gear doors and the tail surfaces are sensibly fitted separately, off the airframe. Do not hurry at the overlaps between segments; it is better to measure where exactly the edge will fall, because a shifted piece can usually no longer be saved.

What to get ready in advance

Prepare several soft brushes, absorbent paper, a dish of clean lukewarm water and, above all, enough time in one stretch. Full-surface artwork is hard to interrupt in the middle: the dried edges of the pieces already settled are then considerably harder to line up, and the difference tends to show even after sealing.