Good brands for f-35/f-16 modeling

spikef22 · by **spikef22** » 25 Sep 2016, 19:29

Hello, I decided to get back into modeling any one know any good brands?

krorvik · by **krorvik** » 26 Sep 2016, 11:27

There are close to no options for the F-35. Kittyhawk makes OK models of all three though. Italeri has a 1/32 in the pipeline, but that sure takes it's time. I have a Kittyhawk A, actually turned out OK after a bit of bruteforcing the styrene....

For F-16s, I'd say Tamiya anytime of the day. Wins hands down. Both 1/48 and 1/32. Academy makes a good 1/32 offering with a bit more flexibility with regards to F-16 blocks. However, it has a few nasty visual flaws (intake ram scoops are *bad*), so beware of that. I'm doing it now myself though, good practice-model, can be found at reasonable prices. And of course, can be modded to look better.

The Hasegawa F-16s are getting old, and those that I've seen come with oldstyle raised panel lines that don't survive sanding. Can still be built into beautiful models though, and visually, accurate models.

But yeah, go Tamiya. Or Kinetic for the cheaper alternative for 1/48 F-16s. Just beware of poor accuracy when building Kinetic with closed doors. That's a big nono. That goes for the F-35s too.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 27 Sep 2016, 06:41

I would love one or all three versions of the F-35 is 1/48 scale. So, I guess my only option is Kittyhawk???

krorvik · by **krorvik** » 28 Sep 2016, 17:26

Yeah. Pretty much. You'll need some putty, and do pre-fitting, but the A at least turned into a good model after a bit of work. Actually I think Kitty Hawk are getting better quickly now. Still need a lot of gapfilling, but that's doable. Plastic is soft and nice, and the shape and detail is good.

There is a Panda out there, but the shaping and detail on it is terrible.

I'm waiting eagerly for Italeris 1/32...

(edit: Typo)

krorvik · by **krorvik** » 07 Oct 2016, 12:40

I emailed Italeri, and unfortunately they will not be producing the announced 1/32 F-35. That leaves us with Kitty Hawk 1/48 for any kind of realism.

F-16ADF · by **F-16ADF** » 03 Jan 2017, 15:17

For the F-16, Tamiya is probably the best. Hasegawa is a close second, but I don't like the mold lines on the canopy. I purchased an Academy Viper and switched the canopy (no lines).

Both Tamiya and Hasegawa tend to be very expensive. Sometimes you can find a good deal on amazon or even ebay (if you are going to purchase on ebay, make sure that the kit has NOT been opened). If you are going to buy a unsealed kit from ebay it's buyer beware-

F-16ADF · by **F-16ADF** » 03 Jan 2017, 15:21

For the Viper models: I'm speaking about 1/48th scale.

jaws · by **jaws** » 07 Dec 2018, 19:08

Meng 1/48 f-35
Italeri 1/32 F-35A

^^^Both kits are licensed by Lockheed Martin

Of course, Tamiya 1/48 F-16 variants are the best ever!

hoghandler · by **hoghandler** » 07 Dec 2018, 20:15

The old 1/32 Hasegawa F-16 is good for its age. It represents the very early blocks of the Viper. It has been "updated" a few times with additional parts. The are some inaccuracies here and there and some details missing but with a little work it can be made into a nice model. Also if you come across an 1/32 academy kit some of the parts can be used on the hasegawa kit as well with little to no surgery.

tailgate · by **tailgate** » 08 Dec 2018, 18:51

While I'm no expert on this subject, I have completed two of the Academy 1/32 F-16 kits of birds I flew. Going on what others have said, I'm sure there are some accuracy issues.....however, if it looks like a Viper, it might be Viper. I do have some more of the Academy kits (for future plans) and am currently building a Tamiya 1/32 F-16 of my old Block 50 mount, I think all are good kits.

I have a few 1/48 kits........ :roll:

, all Tamiya, but have yet to build any. If they are anything close to their big brother, it will be a treat....

Tailgate

krorvik · by **krorvik** » 08 Dec 2018, 20:45

I have to salute Meng, their F-35A is really nice. Not build yet, but man the plastic is good.

Kitty Hawk seem to be improving too, just finished a B which went together smootly. It is not for the beginner, but if you have the patience and the tools a very nice model indeed is the reward. Testfit everything.

And yes, Italeri lied to me, and did release the 1/32 - I had to get it of course. Very good model. Of course, placing it on a narrow shelf, mine was splashed by a door shutting a bit hard in the wind

Need to build another one.

I recently tested a newer Kinetic F-16 block 60, and it is very nice indeed, they seem to have corrected the nose droop issue, and the fit is very good. Recommended. Also gives you movable control surfaces. Finally a kit where the LEFs can easily be set at +2 degrees. Nice hinges too.

As for the Academy F-16s, they seem to have improved. There is even a 3rd party small mouth intake for it, A/B MLU tails and Pratt nozzle for it. Have build two AMs and one BM, and the last one turned out pretty good. There are some panel errors, but I really don't care too much - it still looks smooth on display.

Even so, Tamiya still has the lead

Those things almost build themselves.

Edit: Must recommend the intakes for the 32nd Academy viper: https://www.largescaleplanes.com/review ... p?rid=1993