1/32 Tamiya F-16C Barak

Gallery Article by David Porter on Apr 26 2012

  Israel Independence Day 

 

 

Of all the models planes that I have made over the years this one is my favourite and it is the jewel in my collection. As the proverbial ‘if I was left on a desert island’ question was extended to ‘which model would I keep if I could only keep one?’ then this is the one. It is the Israeli F-16C ‘Barak’ of the Scorpion Squadron based on the outstanding Tamiya 1/32 F-16C/J kit. Ever since I was a kid and saw the movie ‘Iron Eagle’ I loved the Israeli desert camouflage scheme and the gorgeous bubble canopy with the striking Scorpion logo on the tail, I knew I had to have one. At some point in the future I would like to add both an F-16I Sufa and an F-15I Ra’am to my collection as well as they are such impressive looking aircraft.  

The Tamiya F-16C kit is amazing, so much so that I would say that it is the best model kit on which I have ever opened the box lid. It’s outstanding in every way from the fit of the parts to the detail on the panel lines and most importantly it is actually fun to build. There are plenty of reviews on the kit so if you don’t believe me then google a more thorough review. To turn it into a block 40 Israeli bird a few modifications are needed. Fortunately the Isracast conversion sets do most of the work for you and the instruction manual on both the decals sets (the Isradecal set that is) is well researched and points out all of the pertinent facts that you need to know.  To this I added an Aires resin set for the afterburner section and jetpipe, an Aires section for the wheel bays (a really nice piece of resin though a pain to fit) and various other bits and pieces that I have listed below.

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To finish it off I painted it and gave it a subtle weathering job with some thinned out Tamiya Smoke and some fluid stains with some dabs of oil paint and then on to the weapons. I adapted the 600 gal fuel tanks from the Academy Sufa kit (which I will build later) and I also used the earlier launch rails since in my research I could find no evidence that these ‘Barak’ aircraft are able to carry the larger launch rail for the AIM-120. I cannot find any photos and I remain unconvinced that these aircraft are AIM-120 capable at the time of the markings so instead I went with four Pythons which look really space age anyway and I love the look. As for the canopy, Tamiya neatly provide both a tinted one and a clear one which means that you can mix and match the two parts just like you often see on the real aircraft.  

I was partly inspired to build this kit from the ‘Iron Eagle’ movie but also partly inspirited by Roni Weiss’ excellent example of this aircraft on which he wrote a build-up in Tamiya Model Magazine Issue 168. Following Roni’s example I used Tamiya XF-21 Sky for the green colour and also Xtracrylix Tan Vietnam for the brown shade. I agree with Roni that these colours are just about right, however I used the respective Mr Color products C313 for the Sand and C308 for the grey undersides and missiles. Enjoy the Pictures and if you can grab the Tamiya F-16 kit – you won’t be disappointed.

Parts Used:

  • 1/32 Tamiya F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon 1056322

  • 1/32 Academy F-16I Sufa  12105

  • 1/32 Cutting Edge MK 84 2000lb Low Drag Bombs

  • Eduard 32128 F-16CJ FALCON External Photo-Etch                      

  • Eduard 32523 F-16CJ FALCON Internal Photo-Etch                              

  • Eduard JX037 F-16CJ FALCON MASK TAMIYA                  

  • Eduard 32517 F-16 placards

  • Aires 2066 1/32 F-16C/CJ Cockpit for Tamiya

  • Aires 2067 1/32 F-16CJ wheel well for Tamiya

  • Aires 2095 1/32 F-16C block 30/40/50/60 exhaust nozzle

  • Sky Decals SD-32039 1/32 IAF F-16C/D Barak Stencils       

  • Isracast 32004 RAFAEL 'Python' 4/5 Air to Air Missiles

  • Isracast 32001 IAF Lockheed-Martin F-16C Block 40 conversion

  • Isradecal ISRA68 Lockheed-Martin F-16C /D Block 30 Barak

  • Hobby Boss MT32004V1 F-16 Pitot tube set (1/32)

References:  

  • Drendel, L. (2007). F-16 Worldwide Markings. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal Publications.

  • Melampy, J. (2007). The Modern Viper Guide: The F-16C/D Exposed. Lebanon, Ohio: Reid Air Publications.

  • Senior, T. (2002). The Airforces Monthly Book of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Lincolnshire: Key Books Ltd.

  • Weiss, R. (2009, October). A Sting in the Tail. (M. Nicholls, Ed.) Tamiya Model Magazine International(168), pp. 30-35.

David Porter

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Photos and text © by David Porter