Academy's 1:32 scale F-16 kit

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 24 Dec 2005, 18:45

Hi Habu and all other F-16 plastic kits experts!

Just yesterday afternoon I have made a "discovery" which changed by "last-minute" my X-MAS wish list drastically. In a hobby shop of my home town I found Academy´s new 1:32 F-16 scale kit. I was very surprised, because in Germany´s leading model magazine "Modell Fan" I read nothing about this 2005 kit release before. I only read articles related to the first hi-tech 1:32 F-16 kit from Tamiya.

Because I need no highly detailed engine, I think the Academy kit (for 70 Euro in this hobby shop) would be a real alternative to Tamiya´s kit at a lower and moderate price level.

After reading the short in-box review at http://www.habu2.net/vipers/viperkits/32/kits32.3.html

I have some urgent questions: Anyone who can more explain about the Academy kit? Is this kit, at least partially, a "copy" of Tamiya´s kit (in the past, Academy had often copied from the Japaneses)? Includes the Academy kit the Litening II targeting pod? Allows the Academy kit to build an ANG Block 30/32 aircraft? Which after-marked producers offers 1:32 scale Litening II pods?

If the Academy kit should be very good, I will build at least one model – either an OEF or OIF Viper with after-marked decals (see my related topics, posted in the General Forum).

Mad_Viper · by **Mad_Viper** » 24 Dec 2005, 20:53

Is this kit, at least partially, a "copy" of Tamiya´s kit (in the past, Academy had often copied from the Japaneses)?

No it's there own design.

Includes the Academy kit the Litening II targeting pod?

No, i does include the full Lantirn Pods, Nav and Laser

Allows the Academy kit to build an ANG Block 30/32 aircraft?

Hmm not really. OOB it can be build as a Block40/42/50/52 kit.

Here are some links about it.

http://www.modellversium.de/kit/artikel.php?id=845

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op= ... ent&id=857

And there are many posts about the kit on ARC forum.

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 25 Dec 2005, 03:49

Thank you very much for your helpful reply, Mad_Viper! Especially for your second link! After reading this extensive in-box review by Pawel Krupowicz (VODNIK) currently I have mixed emotions. I think the biggest problems should be the very inaccurate glare shield and inaccuracy in the contour of both air intakes. Over the weekend I will also check the related posts at ARC.

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 26 Dec 2005, 15:26

After checking Aircraft Resource Center and a "Google" search I can recommend the following links:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~designer/models/F16-32/f16-32.htm
(Both kits from Tamiya and Academy in comparison. Full box content is shown!)

http://www.habu2.net/vipers/viperkits/32/kits32.3.html
(Both kits from Tamiya and Academy in comparison. Only a short overview.)

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/G ... F-16-3.htm
(Some F-16 kit reviews)

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/G ... al3686.htm

http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/artikel.php?id=1500

This picture shows the incorrect glare shield. Is it easy to reshape that piece? Or is there any correct resin part available? (Model and photo by Bernd Tremmel)

The 1:32 Black Box cockpit with the glare shield in the correct shape. (Photo by Jean-Luc Caut)

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/G ... al3640.htm
(Two more pics of this super-detailed cockpit)

Habu · by **Habu** » 27 Dec 2005, 22:41

Oh boy....this could open up a can of worms.
But hey, if you're happy with it, by all means, have fun with the build dude!

ViperEnforcer · by **ViperEnforcer** » 11 Jan 2006, 03:00

Here's the low down, no bull on the Academy 32nd Viper kit. I did a side by side with the Tamiya kit, as well as my own pic reference. It's not pretty, but then again, somethimes the truth never is.

The Cockpit is just the tip of the Iceberge.

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index ... 2b5b6104e1

Mike V

Habu · by **Habu** » 11 Jan 2006, 06:08

Heh heh, knew you'd chime in here, Mike

I'm sure Mike will even say it's not the final word, but he went to great lengths to display a very nice comparison. So, read that thread guys, it's worth it! Then draw your own conclusions, and make your decision, whatever it may be. Have fun!

ViperEnforcer · by **ViperEnforcer** » 11 Jan 2006, 20:20

Right, after all the scathing I got from another forum, I felt I could at least post some pics on my points. Some guys were confusing fact with opinion. I don't know why some people are so scared of information and it's not like I'm making an opinion on the inaccuracies of the Academy kit, but pointing out the "State of the Obvious".

Some guys will be fine with all the major problems in teh Academy kit, while others will be appalled. Each modeler has their own level of standard or tolerance of quality and/or inaccuracy they will accept in a kit.

I voice and post the discrepancies I found on the Academy 32nd Viper compared to the Tamiya kit, so as to help prevent that buyer's remorse from unsuspecting Modelers. Following Academy's nice 32nd F-18 kit, most have the false assumption that the Academy 32nd F-16 was going to be as nice and as accurate, which could not be further from the truth.

Besides the scathing I received on the issue, I've also received (and still do) many a thanks for saving people from "in their opinion" wasting their money. Hey, I took one for the team buying the kit for myself to review. A buddy at Osan hooked me up, as $60 shipped is a lot less of a loss that full retail in the states. It wasn't a total loss, as I plan to use most of the stores and some of the Cartograf decals on some Tamiya Projects.

Mike V

Maxtype · by **Maxtype** » 21 May 2007, 01:01

ViperEnforcer wrote:Right, after all the scathing I got from another forum, I felt I could at least post some pics on my points. Some guys were confusing fact with opinion. I don't know why some people are so scared of information and it's not like I'm making an opinion on the inaccuracies of the Academy kit, but pointing out the "State of the Obvious".

Some guys will be fine with all the major problems in teh Academy kit, while others will be appalled. Each modeler has their own level of standard or tolerance of quality and/or inaccuracy they will accept in a kit.

I voice and post the discrepancies I found on the Academy 32nd Viper compared to the Tamiya kit, so as to help prevent that buyer's remorse from unsuspecting Modelers. Following Academy's nice 32nd F-18 kit, most have the false assumption that the Academy 32nd F-16 was going to be as nice and as accurate, which could not be further from the truth.

Besides the scathing I received on the issue, I've also received (and still do) many a thanks for saving people from "in their opinion" wasting their money. Hey, I took one for the team buying the kit for myself to review. A buddy at Osan hooked me up, as $60 shipped is a lot less of a loss that full retail in the states. It wasn't a total loss, as I plan to use most of the stores and some of the Cartograf decals on some Tamiya Projects.

Mike V

ViperEnforcer-I just read your comparisons on the Academy and Tamiya 1/32 F-16's.......and I want to add my thanks for saving me money-I already own the Tamiya CJ and WAS going to pick up the Academy to build a Block 40-but those errors are just too many to be worth my cash.I appreciate it!!!

Habu · by **Habu** » 21 May 2007, 02:35

And if you see the 1/48 Tamiya kit at the hobby store, I highly suggest you pick it up!

Maxtype · by **Maxtype** » 21 May 2007, 02:50

Habu wrote:And if you see the 1/48 Tamiya kit at the hobby store, I highly suggest you pick it up!

Thanks,Habu! I'm already planning on picking a couple up after I build my new Sim-ready PC this summer!

Habu · by **Habu** » 21 May 2007, 06:48

I've already built one!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/H ... %20Widows/

Maxtype · by **Maxtype** » 21 May 2007, 07:01

Awesome work,Habu! Are you going to Tamiyacon this year? :notworthy:

Habu · by **Habu** » 21 May 2007, 07:28

You mean if there is a TamiyaCon this year.....
I've been part of their model club at their HQ in Aliso Viejo for 5 years now. But they're selling that place and moving the offices to Irvine, and the warehouse to Carson. So our club had to find a new place to meet. I'm gonna miss that place...
So no new location for TamiyaCon has been announced, nor a definite date.

Maxtype · by **Maxtype** » 21 May 2007, 07:31

Ah......too bad,if there isn't one...........