Maquette Garden
Bonjour cher visiteur,

Vous pouvez utiliser le forum sans y être inscrit .


A bientôt !


Hello,

You can post something even if you're not registered !

Don't worry if you don't speak French !
Maquette Garden
Bonjour cher visiteur,

Vous pouvez utiliser le forum sans y être inscrit .


A bientôt !


Hello,

You can post something even if you're not registered !

Don't worry if you don't speak French !

Maquette Garden

Maquette Garden Forum diorama figurines véhicules militaires
 
AccueilPortail*ÉvènementsRechercherDernières imagesS'enregistrerConnexion

Poster un nouveau sujet   Répondre au sujet
 

 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF

Aller en bas 
AuteurMessage
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:40

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Block 52 Hellenic Air Force
BBI - Elite Force conversion & scratchbuild
The following article is to describe step by step the 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Block 52, currently flying with Hellenic Air Force, conversion using the BBI - Elite Force toy model kit, bought from the States a couple of years before for less than $60.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363008_image-0001

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363009_image-0002
Despite my enthusiasm when I finally got this 1/18 model in my hands, as soon as I opened the box which exceeds in length the 3 feet (!!!), I realized that I would face hard time and massive scratch building and I'd need to spend hundreds hours on my hobby bench to make it look descent. In the substance, it is not even a model to assembly but a game for children which could be ready in less than 2 minutes. The detail convinces only if you look the model from a distance while points such as landing gear system, engine nozzle, panel lines etc are real dramatic. Luckily, the model is accurate on dimensions and could possibly be used as a F-16 exhibit model that do not interest on conformity of colors, special details etc.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363010_image-0003

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363011_image-0004
So, I decide to begin the building from the zero and give life in this 82cm long monster with no detail (comparing to scale models by Hasegawa, Tamiya etc) but however this 1/18 F-16 toy has almost unlimited possibilities of becoming a high detailed scale model. It should be noticed that the model's airframe comes straight from the box already sealed and I had to open it and work it from inside. That's a hard work to do, because the fuselage remains stuck with internal reinforcing possessors and metal supports & screws that I should locate and carefully remove without causing any damage on plastic material.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363012_image-0005

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363013_image-0006

82cm long beast, immediately after opening of packing box. I am already start thinking about finding the proper window to place this Falcon
By selecting heavy metal on my CD player (in order to I become aggressive and get the "Friday 13th" feeling) and using a saw and a Dremel tool, I opened the fuselage, the basic airframe pieces were cut and useless parts such as landing gear, engine nozzle, a part of the air intake etc were removed and led to the garbage.
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:51

CHAPTER I - Engine's 1st stage blades & afterburner construction
Beginning the construction from behind, I should first scratch build the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine (F-16CJ Block 52) nozzle, the afterburner compartment etc as detailed as a curious and indiscreet eye could see. Considering the huge dimensions of the model, I should theoretically scratch build almost everything! Using plastic cards, my new X-Acto blade, F-16 related bibliography, photographs and the T.O service manual used for the real F-16, I started.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363018_image-0007

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363019_image-0008

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363020_image-0009

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363021_image-0010

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363022_image-0011

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363023_image-0012

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363024_image-0013

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363025_image-0014

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363026_image-0015

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363027_image-0016

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363028_image-0017

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363029_image-0018

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363030_image-0019

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363031_image-0020

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363032_image-0021
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:51

Building the engine's air intake & blade fans was quite easy. Using an old 1st aid kit tape cap which just fit on 1/18 diameter engine 1st stage blade fans, I placed carefully plastic blades as shown in the following pictures. Molding some epoxy putty, I build a basic item of a cone, then stuck some steel pins on it and removed them after 20 minutes, as soon as the epoxy putty was solid rock. Spinning the epoxy item with the Dremel tool and sanding as required, I formed in to a cone shape and finally I placed a pitot tube sensor on the top of the cone spinner as shown in the real Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine pictures.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363034_image-0022

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363035_image-0023

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363036_image-0024

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363037_image-0025

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363038_image-0026

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363039_image-0027

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363040_image-0028

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363041_image-0029

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363042_image-0030

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363043_image-0031

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363044_image-0032

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363045_image-0033

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363046_image-0034

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363047_image-0035

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363048_image-0036

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363049_image-0037

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363050_image-0038
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:52

CHAPTER II – Air intake tube construction
Because the main BBI - Elite Force kit was very poor on detail and had the air intake tube sealed, I had to first open the air intake by cutting the plastic and then build from scratch the approximately 30cm long tube, leading to the engine's 1st stage blades described in detail into previous Chapter I. Just because the F-16's air intake tube is not just a straight line tube, the idea of scale building with plastic card was rejected from the first moment. If you notice, the F-16's air intake tube is curved in both X and Y axes while heading to the engine's 1st stage blades.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363221_image-0039

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363222_image-0040

Source: http://www.f-16.net
For this reason, I decide that a "negative image" cast of the air intake tube should be made and build the tube model using this cast, with two available & different methods:
  • The first method is based on a solid rock (made by balsa, epoxy filler, plastic etc) "negative image" cast of the air intake tube on which I would try to vacum form some air intake tube "half" parts (left-right or upper-lower). Some very thin (and fragile too) plastic parts could be produced, but with doubtful contact between the two "halfs". For sure, the tube "halfs" would leave visible contact line marks across the construction, that should be filled with putty and carefully sanded on a fragile and extra thin plastic material.
  • The second method is based on a deliberately fragile and hollow "negative image" cast made by soft materials (such as plaster and cardboard), that could easily be decomposed and removed after sinking into water. I decide to follow the second method, knowing that I had only one shot to try, with no mistakes allowed, considering that the cast would be destroyed after use, but I could have one-piece tube as a result, without any marks or lines inside the tube and also avoid unneccessary sanding with doubtful results.
By selecting the second way, which was more desired and realistic for me, I finally produced one solid rock one-piece air intake tube, very accurate on scale, following exactly the real air intake tube curves and present to fellow modelers a mighty unconventional way of scale building to keep in their mind for any future projects of their own. That's why, I present the project with step-by-step pictures, to provide any possible help to understand how did it. After all, I believe that scale modeling is not just cutting plastic parts straight from the kit box or maybe use some resin accessories already checked to fit perfect into models, but combining arts, skills, techniques and finally use our brain to invent new methods in order to have a realistic result.

Having the official F-16 Block 52 blueprints copied from the T.O manual, I got the exact dimensions of the air intake tube, print them down on a cutaway image and using scissor and simple cardboard, I create a the "negative image" of the air intake tube, basic spine. As soon as the spine made by cardboard was set on a straight line, it was wrapped around with a cloth net found into the 1st aid kit. Small quantities of plaster, highly thinned with water, applied on the cloth net with a brush, to build the first layer of a hollow plaster cast, which would become the "negative image" of the air intake tube.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363058_image-0041

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363059_image-0042

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363060_image-0043

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363061_image-0044

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363062_image-0045
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:54

Materials like plaster, start as a dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste which liberates heat and then hardens. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft after drying, and can be easily manipulated with metal tools or even sandpaper. These characteristics make plaster suitable for a finishing, rather than a load-bearing material and that exactly is what I'm looking for on this air intake tube construction. Keep in mind that adding salt into wet plaster mixture, reduce the plaster's hardening time and adding vinegar into wet plaster mixture, extend the plaster's hardening time. When the first layer of thinned plaster applied on the net was dry and hard enough to hold the basic spine made by cardboard, a second thin layer of plaster was applied to form the curves of the air intake tube, following the lines of the pre-cutting cardboard. The basic idea, is to keep this plaster cast hollow, accurate on scale and as thin as possible trying not to apply extra stuff where is no needed. When the plaster cast was dry and hardened, tiny quantities of modeling putty added to close minor scratches and pores on plaster cast surface, brushed with water based clue, painted in black color, dry sanded and finally sprayed overall with gloss shiny coat.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363063_image-0046

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363064_image-0047

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363065_image-0048

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363066_image-0049

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363067_image-0050
Johnson's baby oil (thin layers of vaseline based mixtures can be used also) brushed as a segregative material for later purpose and generous quantities of polyester filler applied on the plaster cast. The specific polyester filler I used, is enriched with fiberglass grains to enforce the final construction. The filler should be always used with the proper catalyst which provides a solid rock build and approximately 5 to 10 minutes time window to form it into shape.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363068_image-0051

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363069_image-0052
When the plaster cast used as a "negative image" of the air intake tube, was fully covered with a 3-4 mm thick layer of polyester filler enriched with fiberglass grains and had enough time to polymerize and get solid rock, it was sunk into water and stayed wet overnight, in order to let the enclosed cast made by cardboard and plaster get moistened and decomposed.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363070_image-0053

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363071_image-0054
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:54

Staying underwater for few hours, waiting for the enclosed cast made by cardboard and plaster to get decomposed and become soft, mixed pieces of cloth net, thinned plaster and moistened cardboard were removed with caution.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363072_image-0055

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363073_image-0056

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363074_image-0057

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363075_image-0058

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363080_image-0059

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363081_image-0060
By the time all the thinned plaster, dissolved cardboard pieces and cloth net remains were removed, the tube was sanded properly, washed and attached by using cyanoacrylic glue on the F-16 lower fuselage "mouth" housing. Epoxy putty and polyester filler used to close the huge gaps.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363086_image-0061

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363087_image-0062

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363088_image-0063

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363089_image-0064

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363090_image-0065
After proper sanding, the air intake tube looks OK

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363093_image-0066

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363094_image-0067

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363095_image-0068

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363096_image-0069
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:55

Using styrene plastic card, I formed an 1-inch wide ring and placed it to the air intake tube's end, in order to fit perfectly the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine's 1st stage blade fans structure, which displayed earlier. Epoxy putty filled the gaps and formed the tube's end diameter to a perfect circle.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363098_image-0070

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363099_image-0071

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363100_image-0072
As it is well known, the Block 52 F-16s (using the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW 229 afterburning turbofan engine) air intake shapes are not the same with older "big mouth" F-16 versions such as Block 30 and Block 50 (using the General Electric F110-GE 100 afterburning turbofan engine) also used by the Hellenic Air Force Squadrons. The newest Block 52s have a larger nose tire which required the intake to be reshaped to accomodate the new tires size. For this reason, the Block 52 F-16's newer air intake have a noticeable bump about 4 feet in on the lower surface.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363101_image-0073

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363102_image-0074

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363103_image-0075

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363104_image-0076

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363105_image-0077

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363106_image-0078

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363107_image-0079
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:56

CHAPTER III - Engine's afterburner area construction
Starting to work behind the engine's last stage blades and the afterburner's spoked frame, I had to simulate in scale the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area. Following the exact blueprint plans of the T.O service manual used for the real F-16 and after converting numbers to 1/18 scale, I did calculate the AB area dimensions, cut a piece of plastic card, fold it to cylinder and reinforce it externally with plastic bands, to ensure that it'll keep in shape. This cylinder is the base to host the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area. As soon as the base cylinder was ready, I opened randomly more than 30 holes, using a 2mm drill - the reason will be explained into following lines.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363108_image-0080

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363109_image-0081

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363110_image-0082
Having a couple of different methods in mind to simulate in scale the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area, but knowing that the following method is much accurate to scale and easier to re-do if something goes wrong, I tried a visit into my local PC store and searched for a cable tape used into PCs to connect the motherboard with the HDs or CD/DVDs etc and transfer data between them. I found a plenty of PC cable tapes, but I finally got one with intense embossed detail between the cable lines. After calculating the base cylinder's inner [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumference"]circumference[/url], I cut the brand new cable tape on exact length, sprayed it with light gray base coat and placed it carefully into the cylinder, trying to avoid folding marks on the cable tape surface.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363111_image-0083

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363112_image-0084

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363113_image-0085

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363114_image-0086
After placing the cable tape into the base cylinder without spreading clue, I pressed it against the plastic using my thumb, to eliminate any possible bumps or waves that may appeared. Thank to accurate calculations the cable tape ends, came exactly one against the other, almost in a perfect facing touch. To secure the cable tape in this place, I dropped cyanoacrylic clue through the opened holes on plastic.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363115_image-0087

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363116_image-0088

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363117_image-0089

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363118_image-0090

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363163_image-0091

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363164_image-0092

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363157_image-0093

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363158_image-0094

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363159_image-0095

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363160_image-0096

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363147_image-0097

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363148_image-0098

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363149_image-0099

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363150_image-0100

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363151_image-0101

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363152_image-0102
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:57

As I personally believe that following simple techniques and sometimes unconventional methods, result in superior effects, I usually do not use enamel or acrylic paint to wash, because I feel risky when applying the paint mixture and let it run. I prefer an easier technique that can be undone if the results are poor - that makes it the perfect technique. I use hard chalk pastels to wash (NOT oil pastels). The hard chalk pastels, look like a teacher would use on the blackboard in school. Do not use the soft oil pastels that artist use to draw on paper. The hard chalk pastels are easy to find in a variety of colors into your local art store or maybe Wal-Mart if in US or ASDA if in UK.

To do the wash, I use an X-acto knife, a small metal or plastic container, an old brush, dish washing soap and a bit of water. Begin by scraping some chalk powder from the side of the chalk pastel stick, carefully put this chalk powder into the small container and add a tiny amount of water and stir. It is important to add a tiny amount of water in order to make the mixture look like mud - not like soup! For this reason, I use a syringe to add just few drops on the hard chalk pastel powder and I stir using the old brush. Because the chalk powder doesn't mix well with the water, a drop of dish washing soap is needed to break the surface tension of the water and also acts as a "glue" to help the chalk powder stick to the model.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363133_image-0103

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363134_image-0104

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363135_image-0105

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363136_image-0106

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363137_image-0107

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363138_image-0108

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363139_image-0109
Once the chalk is fully dissolved into the water/soap mixture it is time to "paint" this mixture on the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area. "Painting" the mixture is simple - just apply it anywhere it is needed to darken recessed detail. The mixture can be applied carelessly, because any mistakes can be completely removed and redone.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363140_image-0110

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363141_image-0111

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363142_image-0112

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363123_image-0113
When the chalk wash dried, I rubbed off the high spots with a slightly damp dry (not wet) Q-Tip cotton swab (Kleenex papers can be also used) and I wiped the dark color from the areas should be light colored. The high spots were cleaned to the basic finish and the low spots were left black. I did the chalk wash on the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area in about 15 minutes which makes it a very quick and effective technique. You can also read about this into Steve Bamford's article, by clicking HERE.

Some of the wash mixture is re-applied and the wash being wiped completely out of the narrow points. If you follow this method, it is adviced to not rinse out the wash container till you are finished this job. You will probably be touching up certain spots a few times, so it helps if you're not mixing up a new chalk mixture each time because you kept cleaning out your container of the chalk wash mixture. I repeated the the wash process with lighter colors where needed. Using micro cotton batons found into cosmetic shop for less than 1£, I applied some lighter colors such as yellow, white, sand, brown, burned iron etc & also black chalk pastel powder on the inner embossed detail on the afterburner's area, to make it look weathered and extensively used. I repeated the weathering process until it satisfied me and finally I sprayed a clear coat to seal the chalk powder in place.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363124_image-0114

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363125_image-0115

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363126_image-0116

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363127_image-0117

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363128_image-0118

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363129_image-0119

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363130_image-0120

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363131_image-0121

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363132_image-0122
The F-16's hot air exhaust of the ECS (Environment Condition System) comes in two different shapes. The old A/B types come with small cover. Here is the way it is covered nowdays on newest Block 52s F-16C/D. The basic shape of the ECS cover made by plastic card and the air exhaust detail will be added later.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363165_image-0123

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363166_image-0124

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363167_image-0125
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:57

CHAPTER IV - Main landing gear bay construction
The main landing gear bay of this toy is so simple and looks so unreal. I realized that I had to pay much more attention and start scratchbuilding the area, starting from zero. The main landing gear bay is one of the most complex areas on the real F-16 and I had to simulate it on this 1/18 scale model. I did the dimension calculations, sand the outer surface of the air intake tube carefully, cut pieces of styrene plastic card as required and placed them to start the bay's shape.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363173_image-0126

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363174_image-0127

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363175_image-0128

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363176_image-0129

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363177_image-0130

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363178_image-0131

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363179_image-0132

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363180_image-0133

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363181_image-0134

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363182_image-0135

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363183_image-0136

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363184_image-0137

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363185_image-0138

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363186_image-0139

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363187_image-0140

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363188_image-0141

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363189_image-0142

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363190_image-0143

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363191_image-0144
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 11:59

Using 0.75mm drill, a single hole opened on the air intake tube, to later host a pitot sensor which is normally can be found just before the engine's intake fan. This drilling should be done now, before connecting the main landing gear bay construction with lower part of F-16's surface and the pitot sensor will be placed later.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363192_image-0145

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363193_image-0146
The air intake case, connected with the lower surface with ZAP cyanoacrylate super glue and the huge (approximately 2mm wide) gaps were filled with epoxy cream. I prefer to use epoxy putty (or polyester filler with fiberglass grains for special purposes) instead of normal scale modeling putty, to close gaps or build new items, because:
  • It becomes solid rock within only few minutes or seconds,
  • it does not shrink and does not crack after months or years,
  • you can pour to any shape that you want but you need to work fast because as soon as you mix it with catalyst cream approx 5%, you have limited time before becoming solid rock,
  • you can also put additional layers of epoxy or polyester filler to build up,
  • you can sand it, you can drill it, you can use any type of scale modeling glue, any type of primer or enamel / acrylic paint on it with no problem,
  • can be purchased at any good crafts store into 250ml, 500ml, 1lt (comes with a tube of catalyst hardener) or bigger canisters and if you can't find it, fear not and try your local decent hardware store and finally...
  • it is cheaper than dirt - estimated prices are £3 to £10 depending the canister size, the quality, if contains fiberglass grains for maximum strenght etc.
Keep in mind that the chemical reaction after mixing the filler with the catalyst hardener, produces some heat that possibly effect on thin plastic parts, so test it first before try it on your scale model. I don’t think that the produced heat is more than Fahrenheit 110, but better watchout.

Remember that epoxy materials are dangerous when breath or shallow and could result skin, eyes or lungs problems or even cancer when used for long period with no precaution measures. Always keep in mind, that a powerful vacuum system to suck away the epoxy dust should be used all time to keep the workbench area clean while sanding or milling epoxy or resin materials. Using an issued breathing mask and a pair of surgery latex gloves to prevent dust contact with lungs and fingers while sanding or milling epoxy, is also an important matter that you should seriously take care of! My recommendation is to also wear an overall working suit (as I do) to keep your clothes dust free while sanding epoxy. Some people might find it too much, but I wouldn't like to bring epoxy dust & grains from my work bench into living room and my beloved.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363194_image-0147

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363195_image-0148

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363196_image-0149
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 12:00

The main landing gear possessors basic lines were copied from the T.O manual, lined out with green ink marker and later cut 'n' drilled from white plastic card. Blueprint copies enlarged to 1/18 scale, were used to cut the possessors on exact shape & size and later set into place.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363197_image-0150

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363198_image-0151

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363199_image-0152

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363200_image-0153
Starting to place cables, actuators, fractional DC motors, hydraulic lines, securing hooks & stuff into the model's main landing gear bay. It may look quite empty now, but everything will be in place and look realistic as the project continues.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363201_image-0154

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363202_image-0155

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363203_image-0156

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363204_image-0157

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363205_image-0158

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363206_image-0159

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363207_image-0160
Found into my old sparebox, a cracked & damaged 1/48 scale fire extinguisher could be also be upgraded to become the metal oval shaped tank found into the main landing gear bay, known as the Halon 1301 (also known as Bromotrifluoromethane CBrF3, which is a an organic halide to provide fuel cell inerting to protect the fuel system from explosions due to combat threats) reservoir. Filling the gap with epoxy cream, sticking it on a nail and spin it with the Dremel tool against different types of sandpapers was enough to make it look like the real one.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363208_image-0161

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363209_image-0162

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363210_image-0163

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363211_image-0164

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363212_image-0165

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363213_image-0166

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363214_image-0167

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363215_image-0168
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Nick_Karatzides
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Peind aussi bien avec la main droite ....qu'avec le pied gauche !
Nick_Karatzides

10 ans avec nous !
10 ans passé avec nous !

Inscrit le : 09/07/2010

Masculin Age : 48

Localisation : Valley of Death
Pays : 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Greece10

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF EmptyJeu 15 Juil - 12:02

Time to enjoy a nice, cool Greek summer. Time to recharge my batteries, so please let me pluged on the "lazy days by the beach" mode…

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363217_greek-summer-02

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363218_greek-summer-03
It's time to charge batteries and enjoy Greek beaches under the hot Mediterranean sun. CU with more 1/18 scale F-16 updates, after the summer holidays folks and I wish you best summer.

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363216_greek-summer-01

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363983_santorini-02

1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF I1363984_santorini-03
Revenir en haut Aller en bas
Contenu sponsorisé





1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty
MessageSujet: Re: 1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF   1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF Empty

Revenir en haut Aller en bas
 
1/18 scale Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Blk 52 HAF
Revenir en haut 
Page 1 sur 1
 Sujets similaires
-
» Lockheed Martin F-16 CJ Figthing Falcon
» F-16A plus fighting falcon 1/72
» f-16 e fighting falcon montage termine
» Ford falcon XB coupé GT 1/24e aoshima
» [martin]albatros DV 1917

Permission de ce forum:Vous pouvez répondre aux sujets dans ce forum
Maquette Garden :: Dans l'atelier :: . :: Les Avions et Hélicos-
Poster un nouveau sujet   Répondre au sujetSauter vers: