F-16XL-2 Two-Seater
Experimental Fighter

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The F-16XL is a derivative of the F-16 with a cranked delta wing. The aircraft was originally conceived as a technology demonstrator and later entered as a competitor in the United States Air Force’s Enhanced Tactical Fighter (EFT) competition but lost to the F-15E.

Two converted F-16 airframes - the third and the fifth F-16 prototypes - became the only examples of the F-16XL.

The prototypes were put into storage and several years later they were handed over to NASA for additional aeronautical research. The F-16XL could carry twice the payload of the F-16 and deliver it greater than 40% further in range. The enlarged wing area allowed for 27 hard points as opposed to the nine on the standard F-16. The F-16XL is also 2 metres longer in the fuselage but has a similar wingspan to the F-16C. The wing area of the F-16XL is 60 square metres which is over double the wing area of the standard F-16.

The original single seat F-16XL kit was released in 2015 under the Skunkmodels label. This was largely based on the Kinetic 1/48 scale F-16C kit.

The two-seater F-16XL-2 has been released under the Kinetic label and includes a number of new parts for this two-sester variant.

The kit comprises more than 280 parts in grey plastic - many of which are for the comprehensive weapons sprues - and 17 in clear provided on seven sprues common with the other F-16 kits and five sprues specific to the F-16XL. 

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Surface textures are superb - very crisp, fine and consistent.

The parts are broken down simply with a one-piece pancake for the wings and the fuselage upper and lower halves.

The new two-seat cockpit tub and other parts unique to this version are also supplied on the new sprue XF.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion. You might like to add a coat of clear smoke or amber to portray the gold impregnated tint colour of the real aircraft.

A large selection of weapons are included across five dedicated sprues and a few other mounts and so forth scattered amongst the other frames. These include:

• 2 x 370 gallon wing tanks

• 1 x 300 gallon centreline tank

• 1 x AN/AAQ-13

• 1 x AN/AAQ-14

• 4 x AIM-120B AMRAAM

• 4 x AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles

• 2 x AGM-65 Maverick

• 4 x Mk.82

• 2 x GBU-31 JDAM

• 4 x GBU-12 Paveway II

• 2 x GBU-24 Paveway III

• 4 x CBU-87

• 24 x 500lb retarded snake eye bombs.

Not all the weapons provided will be fitted to the F-16XL aircraft unless you model it as a “what if” scheme so most will go to top up the spares box.

Markings

The decals are nicely printed by Cartograf with good colour saturation and crisp detail. 

Two marking options are supplied, including a very natty - although only hypothetical - four-shade grey Ferris scheme.

Instructions are supplied in a 20 page booklet across 31 steps. Four-view illustrations of both marking schemes are included.

Kinetic's 1/48 scale F-16XL-2 is a great kit and this release adds a new dimension with its two seater configuration.

Surface textures are crisp and fine, detail is very good and in my opinion at little more than $40.00 the kit also represents extremely good value.

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2019 by Brett Green
Page Created 18 June, 2019
Last updated 19 June, 2019

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