Academy 1/48 F-16A Thunderbirds

[stikpusher]

Another of my old builds. I did this one for a “Weekend Madness” GB over on FSM back in ‘09. I bit off slightly more than I could chew with this one for that timespan of a build. I was able to get the basic aircraft built and white painted, plus most of the decals on, but it still needs touch up paint here and there, plus a final gloss coat, so no joy on beating the challenge. But live and learn 😉 

[keavdog]

Great looking build. I saw them at Miramar when the Blues did a Hawaii show. I'm a F-16 fan to begin with and she looks fantastic all dolled up.

[406 Silverado]

For being a Weekend Madness build this turned out incredibly well Carlos!! I do love F-16’s!!!

[stikpusher]

John and Joe, thank you.

John, I love the Thunderbirds… seen them many times over the years at different air shows.



Joe, the Academy 1/48 F-16 is a great kit. It’s practically shake and bake… perfect for a weekend madness GB. Especially if one does the later two gray scheme as opposed to the older three gray scheme.

[406 Silverado]

That’s some good info to have Carlos! Thanks potna!!

[jeaton01]

Nice one, Carlos!

[TJ]

Looks great.

[stikpusher]

John a& TJ, thank you.

Joe, it’s not the greatest F-16 kit out there in 1/48, but if you want a quick problem free build to cleanse your modeling palette, these kits are a good candidate. I have had one of my to do list for awhile and it keeps getting pushed back for various reasons.

[themongoose]

Wow that’s a great job you did on the white! Super glossy!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Mongoose. The glossy white was a result of Future, not any paint work. Stuff works great for that.

[themongoose]

Did you spray it on or brush? Looks sharp

[Leon]

Looks really good Carlos!

[stikpusher]

Mongoose, everything was airbrushed aside from a few small hand painted touch up bits.

Leon, thank you.

[deafpanzer]

Almost missed this one!!! Only took you a weekend to build it?!?!? Show off you are... no way I can do that better than you did. Impressive build as usual buddy!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Andy. Yeah this was my first go at a FSM Weekend Madness GB project. Although I didn’t quite finish it within the specified 48 hours. It wasn’t quite a weekend project, but far less than a week, IIRC…🤔

[ogrejohn]

That sure is nice looking Stik!

[stikpusher]

Thank you John. It might be seen again soon 😏

[brandonk]

Fantastic work. That's a beauty!!

[stikpusher]

Thank you Brandon. Not bad for a quickie, eh?

[Joe Rix]

You sure did a marvelous job in a short amount of time. I am duly impressed. It is a gorgeous F-16.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Joe. Ya gotta love a Thunderbird F-16.

[deafpanzer]

spruebrothers.com/rmx855996-1-48-revell-monogram-republic-f-84f-thunderstreak-thunderbirds/

Sprue Brother has this kit on sale... it made me think of you and your thread. LOL

[stikpusher]

Aug 21, 2023 8:07:07 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

spruebrothers.com/rmx855996-1-48-revell-monogram-republic-f-84f-thunderstreak-thunderbirds/

Sprue Brother has this kit on sale... it made me think of you and your thread. LOL

I already have one. Picked it up at Hobby Lobby for 40% off quite some time ago… 😉

[JimD]

That's sweet. Have you seen one loaded with ordnance? Pretty cool to see. May build on this way sometime.

Apparently because they are on standby they have to run ordnance testing every so often. Makes for a cool image.

[stikpusher]

I had never seen that sort of thing before. But it does make sense. I know that the aircraft are supposed to be capable of being returned to regaular duty status within a short time span, so keeping that capacity and checks on that periodically sounds like a typical military thing.
It would also provide refresher training for the ground crews for when they rotate back to a line squadron after their tour of duty with the team is finished. And such tasks are part of the daily routine.

[Medicman71]

Very nice Thunderbird Stik!

[stikpusher]

Thanks again Mike. It’s a kit that I can sure recommend.