1/48 Hasegawa F-16I (Sufa)

Gallery Article by Burt Gustafson on Feb 23 2010

 

For your viewing pleasure, here are some photos of my 1/48 scale Hasegawa F-16I. The F-16I nicknamed "Sufa" (Storm) is an Israeli Air Force two seater manufactured by "Lockheed Martin" and equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems developed in Israel. 

ABOUT THE KIT: 
Like most Hasegawa kits, this kit is well engineered and a delight to build. The kit goes together easily. The parts feature recessed panel lines, almost too fine. Clear parts include the canopy and navigation lights. Under wing things include a centerline fuel tank and two 600 gal drop tanks, along with AIM 9 Sidewinder missiles. The targeting and navigation Pods as well as the two GBU-31 JDAMs are not included in the kit. They are from Hasegawa's 1/48 scale Aircraft Weapons Kit: D.

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Cockpit detail is excellent except for the ejection seats; no seat belts and I believe the ejection seats are incorrect for an F-16I. Additionally, the Israeli Air force uses the Israeli manufacture Python heat seeking air-to-air missile instead of the U. S. made Sidewinder missile. But this is an OOB build so I went with two under wing AIM 9L Sidewinder missiles. 

CONSTRUCTION: 
As previously mentioned, the kit goes together easily. The parts fit is generally good, but I needed super glue on the wings to make sure gaps disappeared. I was concerned the dorsal spine and the conformal fuel tanks would have fit problems, but they fit perfectly. Note that you have to remove the missile rails on each wing and install new missile rails to accommodate the AIM 120 Missiles.

I found the instructions to be a bit confusing which caused some mistakes on my part. Too much information on not enough paper. Because the panel lines were so shallow, I rescribed all the panel lines. And the canopy has a parting line down the middle that had to be sanded out. 

PAINTING: 
All the paints for this model were Model Master or Floquil enamel paints. Landing gears, wheel wells, and the insides of landing gear doors were airbrushed with Floquil Reefer White. Under surfaces of the aircraft, fuel tanks, nose cone, and missiles were airbrushed with Model Master Light Ghost Gray FS36375. In regards to the aircraft upper surfaces, I airbrushed them with Model Master Sand FS 33531. For the camouflage scheme I used Dark Tan FS30219 and Pale Green FS 34222.

DECALS: 
After the paint cured, I gave the model a brushed coat of Future and let it dry for 24 hours. Then applied a pin wash, which did not adhere too well because of the shallow panel lines. In preparation for decals, I brushed on another coat of Future and let it dry for 72 hours. Decals are provided for two IAF squadrons; the 253 or the 119. I went with 119th. Decals went on well, requiring only a little touch of Micro-Sol. After decals I airbrushed a finishing coat of Model Master Semi-Gloss Clear Lacquer Finish. 

I don't keep track of how many hours it takes me for a build, but this model was a lengthy build. The finished model looks right to me, and I really liked this kit even with the shallow panel lines and confusing instructions. This is not a model for beginners. I recommend it to modelers who have some experience.

Burt Gustafson

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Photos and text © by Burt Gustafson