F-16A "Tigermeet 98"

[Guest]

I had every intention of starting this thread before I got going on the build but as the pictures will tell I forgot. The office went together really well as did the fuselage halves. the tail sat straight down with no issues either. The nose howvever doesn't quite fit so I had to file a bit of the fuselage down to meet it.[ATTACH]83647.IPB[/ATTACH]

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[Guest]

Yesterday was spent painting it. For some reason my compressor has suddenly developed a fault. I say the compressor because when I first noriced it I changed Air brushes and the problem persisted. It runs fine when there is just water or thinner going through but when I put paint through it phut phuts which in turn fires small blobs rather than a fine mist. I have tried thinning the paint down some more but it seems it still does it.

This has resulted in an awful paint job and fifnish on this kit. I am in a mind to strip it back as I was wanting the finish smooth and not mottled as can be seen in the following pictures.[ATTACH]83654.IPB[/ATTACH]

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There is a couple of tape marks that now show up I hadn't notices as well.

[Guest]

That's a shame Terry! I'd be inclined to strip it back coz you know it'll bug you if you persevere with it as is.

I'd been thinking of doing an F-16 so knowing this is a decent kit is very handy

btw what paints are you using? Vallejo?

[Guest]

I am very inclined to strip it back Patrick as I want a really smooth glossy finish. Before I do though I need to phathom ot what the hells wrong with the compressor/Airbrushes. I have done all the usual ie stripped the brushes down given them a good clean. Drained the tank on the compressor. it seems to of just happened so not sure what I can do. I might have to put a thread out on the airbrushing section.

[Guest]

Okay now I am up and running with the A/b's again I have decided to paint over the mess on this and go away from the tigermeet scheme.

Instead I will look for another F-16A to do this on. With this kit the way it is I intend to repaint over it as is and use it on a board to look look like it is either being kept in storage or ready to be stripped at AMARC. The decals from both kits will be swapped so I get to do the tiger scheme.

Tonight I will paint a very basic grey scheme then over that paint white to look like the coating airframes get at AMARC.

The board will be very simple using some sand and a few tufts of grass. The airframe will then be sat on a couple of planks as they are when n storage to stop sinkage.

[flyjoe180]

That's a shame Terry, but a good idea to use it as a stored machine.

[Guest]

Ah well Joe sometimes kits don't go the way we want or expect but I think the stored machine is something different.

[flyjoe180]

Yep, I know someone who did an A-4 Skyhawk in white to look like a stored machine and it looked pretty good. The idea of a base will bring the life it needs

[Guest]

It will give it a touch of realism I think

[Guest]

I have resprayed the air frame with a loose camo scheme and masked it ready to paint the top white. Once this is done it will need flipping over and more masking will be done and a small amount of white applied to certain areas[ATTACH]83753.IPB[/ATTACH]

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[Guest]

Terry, a massive pity you did not use the tiger meet scheme, I've seen one of these aircraft before, and it would look great on a model.... Waiting for you next pending Tigermeet build.

John

[Guest]

That will start next week as I am waiting for another F-16A to arrive. Then I will swap decals over and start again.