1:72 F-16AM Falcon FA-87 Tigermeet 2011-2012 31 Tigers Belgian AF

A tiger across the whole airframe

The real subject was the Belgian machine FA-87 in the modernized standard, operated by No. 31 Squadron nicknamed the Tigers, in a special coat for the international tiger meets of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The tiger meets are annual gatherings of formations whose badge carries a member of the cat family, and a competition for the most conspicuously painted machine belongs to them inseparably. The Belgian example was among those that took the whole airframe as a canvas.

The most extensive tiger motif in the range

The brand keeps a whole row of tiger motifs in this scale – from French Mirage machines through the Swiss Hornet to the Rafale of the naval aviation. This one is by far the most extensive of them, by a half to two thirds: the other tiger sheets stay within an ordinary band of printed area, whereas here it goes markedly above them. The difference is explained by the extent of the print, because all-over camouflage needs many times the printing area of the painting of a single fin.

What that means for a collector

Anyone collecting tiger schemes has here the summit of their own subgroup: the most striking and at the same time the most demanding piece of the whole collection. The maker offers the same coloring in a larger size as well, where the same order holds and the same motif is the most extensive tiger item there too.

Building

All-over decals call for patience and a perfectly prepared base. Proceed piece by piece, settle each one into a setting solution and let it dry before the next. Apply the softener carefully, because extensive films tear easily when over-soaked.