Juggernut

Well, I knew it was going too well when I got to the decal stage of the 131 pod.... Disaster this evening. I finished applying the decals and had put a coat of Micro Sol on them to let them set.... Was admiring my work when all of sudden, slippery fingers showed himself and the pod, fully assembled and almost finished flew out of my hands and landed on the concrete floor and after a brief noise that sounded like several beetles being stepped on, I had instant AN/ALQ-131 kit. As I opened my eyes and looked down, I saw pieces of resin all over the floor... I immediately got down on my hands and knees (and at my age, that is saying something by itself!) and began to pick up the pieces. What you'll see below is my attempt at resurrecting the pod (unsuccessfully), the dust specs are from the damn floor. I could've repaired it but I don't have another set of decals to use.... Thank God Sprue Brothers has them in stock. When it gets here, I'll give it another go. Until then, I did have some success with the ECM pod pylon, a couple of shots of that toward the end.... I did replace the sway brace stabilizers with brass rod, plastic hex rod, and punched plastic dics. I broke the ones that came on the sway braces while test fitting the ECM pod to the pylon. The decal on the pylon is completely fictional (and home-made) but is based on images in Jake's book on the F-16C/D.

Hi there Jan, After a disappointing visit to your webstore and finding out the 1/32 F-16 stabilators are sold out, I was wondering if you'd possibly sell a set of the statiuc discharger bases by themselves? In theory, my plan is to use the separately available Master Models static dischargers on the kit stabilators but think that the kit provided "discharger base" parts are not designed for the Master static dischargers.

Thanks, I'll be looking out for that....IF they don't fit, I'll resort to the kit seat and modify it accordingly.

Well, according to jmel in his F-16C/D book, say that FS 36375 (Lt. Ghost Grey) is the most common but here's a shallow 131 that's in green.

Oooooo…. I’m interested in the 1/48 marauder sheet.

Ok, here we go.... This is my latest attempt at the F-16 by Tamiya. I tried the Thunderbirds kit a long, long time ago but got stressed out and binned it (this was long before it went OOP). Fast forward to now...I saw the latest Have Glass V scheme on the Block 50 aircraft and decided to: Create a model based on the HG V scheme Create decals for at least one aircraft (I ended up creating markings for three so I have a choice). TBD - I've still got some outstanding decals to create, mostly stencils for the pylons and things like that. Aside from the F-16 kit, I've assembled a good selection of aftermarket to include: Quinta Studios F-16 cockpit set Phase Hangar Resin JHMCS sensor (for the canopy rail) Reskit AIM-120Cs Reskit AIM-9X Reskit GBU-54 bombs Reskit BRU-57 SMART bomb rack Reskit F110-GE Exhaust Nozzle (Open) Wolfpack Aces II Seats (Late) Eduard GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs w/BRU-51 rack I'm still on the hunt for Master AOA probes and possibly, a set of static dischargers although I can probably create these myself with the stainless rod and tube I have in-house...we'll see. I'd love to get a set of stabilators from Kopecky Scale Models but I'm too late there...all sold out. So, where to start? I decided on the AN/ALQ-131(V) deep pod... No particular reason other than it's as good a place as any. The Reskit 131 pod looks absolutely fantastic in the box and when coupled with the Kopecky Scale Models AN/ALQ-131 pylon, it'll be dynamite! There are three main parts, the two ends and the body...simple. The fit is pretty good. The mounting lugs, electrical connection (at least that's what I think it is) and the 4 stabilizer points (again, not knowing what they're actually called) fit into the drilled holes on the top. Each part has positive locating pins and in order to make sure it fits correctly, you need to have the pylon you're going to use handy or you may be sorry later on. The electrical connection (immediately in front of the forward mount lug) sits in a recessed box; again, with a positive locator on the parts. I'm trying to make my photographs informative (like the ones Chuck does in his builds) so I've added commentary to the photos. Next up will be primer and a coat of 36375, gloss coat then decals. Yes, the Reskit pod (and indeed a lot of their other items) come with decals.

Oh wow, I almost had a minor coronary.... I was reading through the Tamiya instruction booklet and I realized that the AIFF "bird slicer"antennae are not on the instruction sheet... Slipping into a mild panic, I came upstairs to discover that the part IS there in the kit, it's just not called out in the instructions. Nothing like going from 70 to 200 bpm and then back to 70 in 2 minutes or less.... Anyway, I've started work on this project (FINALLY!). I've got a beautiful Reskit AN/ALQ-131 pod and the requisite centerline pylon from Kopecky Scale Models. As I get moving, I'll start a thread for those that may be interested. It's gonna be a wild ride! Thank God Chuck has his F-16 build for me to reference and using the same reference book as he had (F-16C/D Viper Guide by Reid Air Publications). I have an idea on how to tackle those damn wingtip position lights...but I've gotta do a little bit of thinkin on it before committing knife/saw to plastic. WIP Thread

Those are somewhat different than the ones I use. They have a PVC handle.... and it also appears there are similar comments from the U.S. for this set. This is the set that includes the ones I currently have. They seem to get somewhat better reviews. Starrett 162 Pin Vise Set

I’m guessing your friend probably got a Chinese knockoff copy instead of a real Starrett set. I purchased two 162A pin vises less than six months ago and both are high quality precision tools. I’m also planning to purchase a 162B in the near future, from the same seller I got my 162As from.

I have all his mixes downloaded and saved if you need them.

Just an FYI, I think Greg Springer has passed away. I hope I’m wrong but I seem to remember someone saying it a while ago.

Well that’s a horse of a different color! I’ll send you an email shortly.

Damn but don't those look good! Now all I need to find is the AIMS 1/32 Ju88G-6 conversion for the 1/32 Revell Ju88A-1 kit and I'll be able to put these to good use.

Well, if you're looking for opinions, I'm partial to MRP-280 (FS 36170) and the top coat MRP-278 (Special Matt Finish).

I love AirCorps Library, most time I could find what I was looking for (except the rare as hen's teeth Republic document on painting P-47's - The Smithsonian doesn't appear to have a copy either). Unfortunately for me, the subscription price outstripped my ability to continue to subscribe so I have to be content with what's currently in my library and on my computer.