Mark Jackson Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I thought I would have a go at an oldie but goody kit, Esci's 1/12 scale F-16A cockpit. When this kit was first released it was ahead of its time. For some modellers the "A" pre MLU (Mid Life Update) is just antiquated but I have fond memories of seeing lots of Belgian and Norwegian early block "A" versions take off with the smell of JP-5 and enough noise to blow the wax out of your ears. There's not millions of parts but enough to provide a good level of detail and a few parts require a helping hand to make them look more realistic and correct. The cockpit tub has lots of switches and detail moulded in to it. HerculesPA_2, Trak-Tor, Shawn M and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trak-Tor Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Ohhh, that's my cup of tea... or rather coffee... I'm going to watch you closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F`s are my favs Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Hm... Interesting model indeed ) I never knew of a model exclusively for a cockpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Jackson Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 Esci launched two cockpit kits in the 1980's, this one and a F-104 Starfighter one. One thing which surprised me was the size, 1/12th scale seems huge but certain parts are still small, the instrument dials for one. You could go to town on just the ACES seat and display it on a plinth or next to a 1/32nd scale F-16 model. The kit provides a beautiful instrument panel with various decals for the dials etc, some of these are good - some not so good. So I searched the web and got busy with Paint Shop Pro to produce a set of instrument faces which seemed just right for a block 10 Falcon. When printed on to paper and cut out they look much better. The kit supplies a sort of fabric harness for the seat, but it's brown! No problem though, it scans fine and with some computer magic a set of different coloured straps could be printed. Shawn M, Trak-Tor and F`s are my favs 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Always was intrigued with this kit and the 104. I'll be following for sure.......Harv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otis252 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Glad to see this thread. I'd love to have this kit! Anybody? Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngtiger1 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Nice start. This is a great old kit. I wish they had done more then 2 pits. So, I'll follow along the ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shujaa Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Extremely nice to see one of these cockpits actually being build !!! I've got both issues (F-104 & F-16) in my stash, so I will be following this one with interest. Please don't hesitate to cover each & every step of Your build. Sure wouldn't mind getting a copy of the instruments. Keep up the good work !!! Regards Rudy. Edited October 22, 2017 by Shujaa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Jackson Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 Having started building the seat I am both impressed and disappointed with some of the details; some features should be there and some either require moving or rectifying. The fit of the seat sides and seat pan is not brilliant and the whole thing looked skew-whiff. Starfighter, HerculesPA_2, Shaka HI and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr b Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Looking good One of my first submissions to LSP was this kit............ Builds up quite nice.......and with your additional touches as seen...........will look even better .............. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Very nice work, Mark! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Can these still be bought? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Nice venture love the preparation of what's going to be done with the gauges. If i had to redo this, i'd convert this to a more modern block, like a 50/52 or a MLU i destroyed mine i build 25 years ago when i built a 1:1 scale of the thing stusbke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Jackson Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Does anybody know what oxygen hose connector would be used (CRU) in a 1980's block 10 F-16A? I've started making the hose but would a CRU-60/p be used? Shaka HI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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