This will be the build diary for my 2017 Build of the Year.

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multi-role aircraft.

Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

The Fighting Falcon has key features including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system which helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.

In addition to active duty for U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations. As of 2015, it is the second most common currently operational military aircraft in the world.

Regarded as one of the world's leading jet fighters, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is currently employed by more than 20 countries, and has served in actual combat since the 1980's. The F-16CJ Block 50 variant is the newest F-16 currently being deployed to U.S. units. Major upgrades to the Block 50 included a more powerful turbo General Electric engine, AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and targeting system. The F-16CJ is used for "Wild Weasel" SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) missions, which include searching out and destroying radar and missile sites.

The Kit

The first thing I noticed was how big the box was for this, its hugh

Upon opening this you are presented with another cardboard insert covering up the contents. This is actually quite clever, you tear of a couple of strips that will allow the card insert to sit lower in the box, you then push the various parts through leaving the insert peppered with strategically placed holes, this allows you to place the build F-16 in the holes for easy storage and transportation. You can even remove the tail to allow the lid to be placed back on.

The Instructions are your typical Tamiya instructions with clear easy to follow pictorials.

The sprues come in varying sizes but one thing that is common across them all is a really crisp moulding with lots of fine details. Some of the parts surprised me as the detail was on par with some of the resin cast parts I used on my previous F-4 build.

I've included a close up of one of the cockpit control panels which looks stunning, its actually going to be a hard choice deciding whether to sand off this detail and use the Eduard panels or to keep the kit panels

Photo etch wise there isnt a great deal included but what you do get is very nice done, the main parts are a name plate, radar for the nose cone as well as chaff and flare dispenser covers.

Decals are again up to the usual Tamiya standards and should go on very nicely

Lots of little bags with metal Pitot, hinge bars, tyres, screws, polycaps, screwdriver and clear parts are also included. You are given a choice of a clear cockpit or a tinted one. The one thing that lets the kit down is the mould line right down the middle of the cockpit glass. I think I will use the tinted, this will give me the clear one to practice removing the mould line on, not something I have done before so if it goes wrong the tinted one will make do with the mould line

And now onto the sprue shots

Hi Dave.
looking forward to seeing your build of the F16.
Ian

Thanks all, I'll update the first post with pictures when the kit arrives, for now the Big Ed set has arrived

Look forward to watching this one come together.
Graeme

A very nice model.look forward to your build of this.cheers mick.

Thanks all for your comments

Tony, I've been going from one cold to the next the last couple of months

Looks promising.

Good luck

Kit arrived today and to say Im impressed is an understatement

I've updated the first post with pictures

OOOOOOH Sweet looking kit and just get yourself a Micromesh set of fleabay that will sort out the canopy