F16C Block 25/32 Falcon- 1/48 Tamiya

[Guest]

Hi Paul, As long as the masking works it does not matter what it looks like, see my Tornado build wheel well masking ( not pretty), used Tape. Aluminium Foil and Maskol. When the tape has to span a gap like the air intake above I find the spray can still get past the tape as the joints cannot be sealed properly even with overlapping, so I have started painting these maskol. I'll do a photo of the low-vis aircraft I have F-15C Eagle 1/48, the Eurofighter 1/72, the Tornado F3 1/48 and the F-16 1/48 above when I'm finished.

Just noticed I hadn't posted a photo of the Decal sheets, so see below. Built the tail and finished the cockpit after my posting on Sunday, see a few shots below, still a few decals to add to the seat. Tamiya have supplied two Cockpit Canopies one clear and one tinted, big problem is they have a longitudinal moulding seam running their full length. I would normally scrape it off and polish it with Brasso and dip in Klear, but since they changed the Brasso formula I cann't use it. Luckily I have a few ideas and a spare canopy to practice on - watch this space as they say. Cheers Derek

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[tr1ckey66]

Hi Derek, I've got the same seam line running down the cockpit of the Eurofighter so I'll be interested to see how you tackle it. I seem to remember Graham successfully deleting the line from his canopy some time ago. I've got some 'Zero' paints rubbing compounds which will probably do the trick.

Pilot looks comfy! That's one hell of a complicated office!

Cheers

Paul

[Ian M]

Looking great Derek. Thats one nice cockpit you have made there!

Dont you just love it when there is a seam line down the middle of canopies. I got rid of mine with a polishing stick from Johns shop, one of those promodeler things. I thought it was a bit pricy for a stick with sandpaper on but was I wronge about that. It is well worth the money. One side of it is so fine corned that you could easily belive it to just be a bit of paper. It removes all the nasties from clear parts with out any problems.

So as the Brasso is now defunked I'm guessing toothpaste maybe?

Ian M

[Guest]

Have you tried a caravan shop for acrylic window polish, or T-cut its the same as old Brasso

[Guest]

Hi Guy's thanks for your comments and suggestions, Ian gets half a coconut. Here is how I have removed the seam. Always support the canopy from the inside to avoid breakage or crazing of the surface.

The first photo shows the seam to be removed, the second photo shows the tools, an X-Acto knife (blunt blade, don't lose so many fingers if they are blunt), toilet roll, strip of Halfords Wet & Dry 1500 Grit (Fine) partially used and a dab of toothpaste. Next photo shows the seam removed by holding the knife blade perpendicular to the seam and scraping gently in sections. Next photo shots the seam sanded, first with a piece of virgin Wet and Dry then a section that has been worn with use. I then rubbed the area with the toothpaste on a piece of toilet tissue, then wiped off the toothpaste and buffed the canopy with toilet tissue for a minute, followed by dusting with an old well washed dry cotton handky. Photo #32 shows the cleaned up seam. Finally I dunked the canopy in Klear, drained it and set it down on kitchen tissue and covered with a plastic lid. Will leave it like that for at least a week before masking and fitting to the aircraft.

Hope this help someone out their. Cheers Derek

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[Guest]

Hi Derek.

This is really coming along well. Love your work on the cockpit. I did this kit about a year ago and the fit is almost perfect throughout the whole model. Tamiya really know their stuff. Great work removing that seam from the canopy. Can't tell it was ever their. Keep up the good work and can't wait to see how it turns out.

Cheers

Kresten

[Guest]

Hi Kresten, thanks for your comments, am about to start the weapons and fuel tanks so plenty of work ahead, will post more in a week or two once they are finish painted. Yes its a lovely kit, but did you feel sometimes that you were working on a 1/72 kit rather than a 1/48 with all that fine detail? How about posting a couple of shots of your model for inspiration. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

Hi derek

I know what you mean about the detail. It is truly remarkable what they are able to achieve with a bit of plastic. Well i got a couple of piccies of the falcon. They aren't the best quality cuz i had to use my phone. This was the 3rd or 4th model i made so go easy. LOL.

cheers

Kresten.

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[Guest]

Hi Kresten, that looks a very good F-16 you should be proud, you should post them on the Aircraft Pictures section. I bought the reinforcing plate detailing up parts set but I am not sure if I am going to use them, their thickness looks out of scale - too thick. The jury is out on this one at the moment. Thanks again for posting the photo's nice to see a finished model. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

Been working on the Missiles and Missile Rails this week. for a comparatively small aircraft it carried a mighty punch. Cheers Derek

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[tr1ckey66]

HI Derek

Liking the progress so far, and the seam removal pics are very helpful!

Also looks like this bird's gonna be armed to the teeth!

All the best

Paul

[Guest]

Hi Derek,

Thats some nice piece of work, well done so far. You know, you guys really amaze me, how you can paint so much detail at those scales and do such an excellent job is behond me.

Keep up the good work.

Andy

[Ian M]

Andy, theres only one thing for it. Give it a go!!!

Derek, good job on that canopy seam.

Cant be long now.....

Ian M

[Guest]

lol Ian, i wouldnt have the bottle to put my efforts on here if i did.

Andy

[colin m]

Derek, your build 'slipped my net'. Looking very good at the moment. Great detail in the landing gear. I've never built an F16 but did once see one in a sort of 'blue' camo scheme, I don't suppose in your research you discovered this scheme did you ?

Regards

Colin m.....