1:72 F-16C Fighting Falcon

The F-16C Fighting Falcon in 1:72 scale from Hobby Boss

An injection-molded plastic kit of the single-seat F-16C Fighting Falcon multirole fighter in 1:72 scale. The subject is the C version, that is the single-seat form of the updated F-16C/D family.

The real subject

The F-16 came from General Dynamics, whose aircraft division later passed to Lockheed Martin. It is a single-engine aircraft with a single fin, a smooth blending of fuselage into wing and a ventral air intake. The cockpit is covered by a hinged canopy with no windscreen frame, the pilot sits in a raised and reclined seat and flies the aircraft with a side-mounted stick. Compared with the original A version, the C brought a stronger radar and a wider range of armament; the powerplant is, depending on the production block, a Pratt & Whitney F100 series engine or a General Electric F110 series one. The built-in gun is a six-barrel 20 mm rotary cannon. The aircraft serves with the US Air Force and with dozens of other operators all over the world.

Building and painting tips

Work with liquid cement for plastic run into the seams by capillary action. Finish the cockpit and the gear bays before you close the fuselage. A modern low-visibility gray scheme stands or falls on an even surface, so start with a filler primer and lay the paint on with an airbrush in thin coats. Before the decals, give the surfaces a coat of gloss varnish, and once dry unify the surface with a matte one. Bring out the panel lines with a fine flowing shade; on a gray aircraft a dark gray rather than black is what works.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of modern jet fighters in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want an F-16 among the aircraft of the Cold War and of today
• Anyone interested in practicing low-visibility gray camouflage
• Builders of display case line-ups of the US Air Force

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