Lockheed Martin F-16 D "Brakeet"

by Helwin Scharn

Lockheed Martin F-16 D "Brakeet"

Italeri's 1/48 scale F-16B/D Viper is available online from Squadron.com

This is the 1/48 scale Italeri F-16B/D kit finished as an Israeli-operated Lockheed Martin F-16 D "Brakeet".

Italeri provides a well detailed kit which allows the depiction of an excellent F-16B of the USAF or Norwegian Air Force respectively.

The characteristic Israeli "humpback" is included in the kit, but, unfortunately, other essential parts are not.

The large intake (MCID=Modular Common Inlet Duct nicknamed "Bigmouth") as well as the bigger wheels are missing and must be purchased from AIRWAVES. The Airwaves inlet's is supplied in resin, while the wheels and undercarriage gears are of metal. The Airwaves set is actually created for the Hasegawa-kit but here it fits perfectly too with the exception of the length of the intakes. After mounting, an 8 mm gap remains but it can be closed with a cutted strip from the original part.

The cockpit's instruments are raised, but represent the older, round analogue version without CRT's. I sanded them off and used instrument bezels (from Airwaves too) instead.

The Italeri kit ejection seats are excellent and it is not necessary to replace them. I simply added seatbelts and buckles.

Colours were used from the Xtracolor range (FS 10219 tan, FS 13531 sand and BS 210 sky, FS 16375 for bottom).

Decals are from Tiger Wings. This particular set permits the modeller to reproduce every Israeli F-16!

The F-16 canopy is a special topic for never ending discussions! I had some luck and received a tinted canopy from a friend's scrapped Hasegawa kit. Of course, I used it!

 

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Model, Images and Article Copyright © 2002 by Helwin Scharn
Page Created 03 July 2002
Last updated 04 June 2007

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