Monogram’s 1/72 F-16C Fighting FalconBy Chris Banyai-Riepl |  |
History
The F-16 is one of those modern jets that needs no introduction. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of this famous jet. While it was designed and built in the United States, it first saw combat in the Middle East in the hands of the Israelis, and since then it has proven itself time and again. The small size and impressive capabilities quickly led it into the air forces of a great many countries, including most of NATO. Initially designed as a lightweight fighter, the F-16 has turned into a very capable fighter-bomber capable of bringing the fight to the enemy in the air and on the ground.
The Kit
This is a reissue of the excellent Revell-Germany kit of the F-16 and it is easily the best 1/72 F-16 on the market today. While this kit is labeled an F-16C there actually are parts included to build just about every version of single-seat F-16 out there. The parts are molded in a light gray plastic and feature recessed panel lines throughout. A small tree of clear parts and a nice decal sheet with three options round out the package.
The level of detail in this kit is excellent and it starts with the cockpit. The one-piece tub has molded-in detail on the side consoles, upon which fits separate throttle and sidestick pieces. A three-piece ejection seat provides space for the included pilot figure, should you choose to include him, while the separate instrument panel rounds out the interior. This completed assembly then fits into the upper forward fuselage.
The fuselage is broken down into an interesting arrangement, obviously designed for more than one version. The upper fuselage is split into a front and a rear section, with the rear section also incorporating the wings. The front section has the cockpit in it and just by replacing this piece you could have a two-seat F-16 very easily. The lower fuselage is one piece, with a separate intake (more on this later). The nose cone is separate as is the burner can. The burner can is the first option in the kit. While the instructions only describe one set of parts, there are two included, allowing you to build either an early engine or the later type. Combined with this is the intake setup. Again there are two sets of parts, one for the earlier smaller type and one for the later larger example. The intake assembly is made up of four pieces, with a separate lip, two sides, and an insert providing the bottom of the intake trunk and the nose wheel well. Also separate is the main gear well, made up of four pieces on the inside and a separate bar on the outside.
Rolling over to the top side, specifically the front end, there’s even more options in the kit. Again, while only one setup is outlined in the instructions, by using the extra parts you can modify the kit to fit the F-16 you want to build. First up is the nose. Right in front of the cockpit is a separate piece providing either a smooth top or one with four blade antennae. Moving a bit further back the second option deals with the gun port. There are two inserts available, providing an earlier and a later example of ports. If you want to build something other than what’s in the kit decals, dig out your references to make sure you use the right piece.
Further back comes the vertical fin, yet another option not outlined in the instructions. Since this kit was originally released by Revell-Germany it stands to reason that there are options for European NATO operators of the F-16, and one of the most noticeable signs of many European operators is the parachute housing in the base of the fin. While this kit provides the proper fin for the F-16C, it also provides a fin for these parachute-equipped F-16s, with a choice of two parachute housings. Both styles of fins feature the static discharge whips on the trailing edge as well, a very nice feature (although you will want to carefully bend them down if you’re displaying it on the ground). While we’re on the subject of tail feathers, there are two styles of horizontal stabilizers as well, again the earlier type and the later ones with a broader chord.
Moving on, the next area of interest is the landing gear. This is very well done and captures the look and feel of the original quite well. By now this probably doesn’t surprise you, but there are two sets of main wheels included in the kit, the early style and the later, thicker style. Here is where the kit falls down slightly, though. These later wheels resulted in the main gear doors being bulged to accommodate them and this kit doesn’t feature this. I’m sure it won’t take very long for an aftermarket company to release a set of resin wheel doors with the correct bulges, though, and considering everything else that’s in this kit I can’t fault Revell-Germany for missing this.
There’s lots of other details to plop on the finished main assembly, including transparent position lights for the upper rear fuselage, various antenna probes and sensors on the nose and around the intake, a HARM targeting system pod, threat warning antenna fairings, and more. Lots of these parts are quite small and will take some time to remove from the sprue, clean up, and get attached in the right place. Once done, though, your F-16 will look very good. In addition to all of these parts the kit also comes with a nice selection of weaponry and underwing stores, including three fuel tanks, an ALQ-131 jamming pod, two laser-guided bombs, and a sextet of missiles made up of two each of HARMs, AMRAAMs and Sidewinders.
The decals included in the kit are a great selection as well, providing two ANG options and one regular USAF option. The USAF example is from the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, based at Shaw AFB in South Carolina. This plane features a leaping tiger punching out of the tail. The first ANG example is from the 113th Fighter Wing from the District of Columbia ANG and represents the 50th Anniversary of that unit. The Capitol building is on the fin, along with three red stars and a pair of red bands. This is the example seen on the boxtop. The final ANG example is from the 170th Fighter Squadron, 183rd Fighter Wing of the Illinois ANG based in Springfield and it also is a 50th Anniversary plane, featuring a stylized American flag on the fin with a ’50 Years’ logo above it in gold outlined in black. All three examples are finished in gunship gray and light ghost gray in the standard F-16 camouflage pattern. Stenciling is also included for both the plane as well as the stores carried underneath. The decals are well printed and in excellent register.
Conclusion
This is easily the best 1/72 F-16 kit on the market today, made even better by the large selection of options inside. While this release doesn’t outline the usage of many of these parts, a careful study of photos will show you what to use for the F-16 you want to build. If you are a Viper nut you’ll want to get at least a case of these. Maybe two.
Our thanks to Revell-Monogram for the review sample.
