Looks like the Academy Sufa has been reissued.

[Dave Williams]

And in stock at SB.

 

https://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/aca12105-os.htm

 

[Helmsman]

I think it is out for quite a while (there is a bunch of Korean sellers on eBay with this new box, I bought it from sealmodels.com almost a year ago), finally making its way across the pond. Price almost doubled though.

Edited December 31, 2019 by Helmsman

[ScottsGT]

That is great news!  I just converted one to a SC ANG D model my MD gets back seat time in since he’s the Flight Surgeon.  So many goodies in that box for so many varieties.  

Still got two kits on the shelf though.  

[Helmsman]

129.99 at https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Model_Aircraft/f-16i-sufa-israel/ACD00012105/product.php?s=0&t=0&u=0&pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&era=0,8&ct=11&sc=32

Edited January 1, 2020 by Helmsman

[Avenger2614]

20 hours ago, ScottsGT said:

That is great news!  I just converted one to a SC ANG D model my MD gets back seat time in since he’s the Flight Surgeon.  So many goodies in that box for so many varieties.  

Still got two kits on the shelf though.  

Out of curiosity, what does it take to make this kit into a USAF D? I've wanted to build the two-seater, but I know nothing about the airframe. 

[jenshb]

I have the Sufa kit, and it gives you pretty much all the parts in the box for a regular D with the wide wheels (no "flat" main undercarriage doors included, so only possible to make a Block 40 and above) - the instructions show a long list of parts not for use. You can build it with either a GE or P&W engine as both types of intakes and exhausts are provided, though I would recommend the Zactomodels corrected intake for either as they are a great improvement (check out the Zactomodels website) and an Aires GE F110 exhaust.  I think the wheels for the Sufa are unique to that variant,  so you may want to source aftermarket wheels for a regular D.  Res-Kit have announced F-16 wheels in 1:32; the early A/B wheels, current AM/BM wheels, Block 40-52 and the Sufa wheels.  The Block 40-52 and the Sufa wheels look identical to me, and unfortunately they don't seem to cover the earlier Block 40 wheels that look similar to the JASDF F-2.

 

If I have missed anything out or wrong, feel free to correct, but these are the steps to make a USAF D:

 

Step 1-4 - the kit only gives you the ACES II seats with the fixed pitot tubes on the headrest so you may want to modify these if your subject has the later/current flip-out type.

 

Step 5 - this shows the Normal Shock Inlet (NSI) that is applicable to all P&W engined and early GE powered aircraft.  The latter would require the "flat" gear doors however.  If your subject has the MCID (aka "BIg mouth") intake, use the corresponding parts on the runners, or the Zactomodels improved parts.  Omit part K28, and if applicable replace with part D37.

 

Step 6-8 - build as per kit.  However, the compressor, part H1, looks more like a GE F110 to me rather than the P&W F100, part no C65.

 

Step 9 - the raised spine is not needed, so replace that with the fairing, part K17.  Use part K53 to plug the hole as per the instructions.

 

Step 10 - do not fit the conformal fuel tanks, but fit K35 - the gun panel.

 

Step 11 - open the holes inside the nose if your subject has the IFF aerials (aka "bird slicers") fitted.  And join the upper and lower fuselage, trapping the cockpit.

 

Step 12-14 - undercarriage, no change there.

 

Step 15 - omit parts K7 - K12.  The instructions will have you fill the exhaust outlet in front of the port main gear well.  Don't.  Fit part C55 instead.

 

Step 16  and 17 - This builds up the P&W exhaust and fits it to the fuselage.  Omit the photoetched parts as well as K36.  Choose closed or open speedbrakes.

 

Step 18 - Assemble the wings - remove the "beer can" antennas from the leading edge of the wing if not applicable to your subject.  The static dischargers (parts B13) are better off to be added a lot later in the build.

 

Step 19-20 - assemble wings , flaperons and stabs to the fuselage.

 

Step 21 - replace the Sufa tailfin with parts B11 and B12 that has the complete tailfin.  Add the rear parts B7 and B8 as USAF vipers don't use the parabrake housing, parts B1 and B2. The outlets, parts B14 and B15 must be added to the tailfin base in front of the blisters - their location are marked on the fin with pegs.

 

Step 22 - radar if you fancy showing that off.

 

Step 23 - instrument panel glare shield for front and rear cockpits.  Add K5, K29 and L17 if your subject has the HUD repeater box.

 

Step 24 - build as per kit, but replace parts M18 and M19 with D49.

 

Step 25 - add the ladder if you want.

 

Step 26 - add the "bird slicers" if you opened up the holes in step 11.  Omit parts M11, M17 and PE4.  Do not use parts M20-M23, but use parts L18 instead.

 

Step 27 - Add the LAU-128 wing tip launchers (part F29).  The kit provides two of the older style launchers (parts J46) as an alternative.  Don't know if the USAF is mixing these launchers, so check your references.  The legal load when mixing AMRAAMS and Sidewinders is AMRAAMs on the wingtips, and that requires the LAU-129 launcher on the wingtip.

 

Step 28 - The USAF does not use the 600 gallon tanks, only the 370 gallon tanks.  The kit provides the later/current style pylon for stations 3 and 7, but not the PIDS/ECIPS. They don't seem to be a common fit to USAF Vipers anyway.

 

Step 29 - add air to ground munitions if you feel like it.

 

Step 30 - assemble fuel tanks, but save the 600 gallon tanks for another day.  The AN/AXQ-14 pod is a guidance pod for the AGM-130 I believe.

 

Step 31 and 32 - the instructions show the AIM-120B, but you can build the AIM-120C by using the smaller fins also on the runners (parts F16,17 front and F47, 48 rear).  The USAF does not use the Python AAM, but 2x AIM-9L/M are on the runners too. 

 

Step 33 - this adds the Litening II targeting pod and the AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN navigation pod.  The LANTIRN targeting pod (parts E26, 27, 31, 32, 39, 40, 43, 44 as well as the Sniper pod (parts K4, K6, K13-16 and L20) are included in the kit too.

 

Step 34 - adding pilots

 

And then it is just a matter of painting and finishing your model.

 

Jens

Edited January 2, 2020 by jenshb
Added part numbers.

[firefly7]

Wow!, This is one of the best tutorials i have ever seen. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us the info Jens. 

[ScottsGT]

OK Jens.  That was pretty impressive!!  I probably used a few of the wrong parts, but no one will probably catch it in his medical office! 

Two other minor changes.  There is a vent that needs to be removed on the fuselage.

 

And on the tail there is a scoop that needs to be removed and a blank filler panel in its place.

Sorry no image of that.

But here's the finished product before delivery.

 

The real thing

Edited January 2, 2020 by ScottsGT

[firefly7]

Beautiful model Scott. Verry nice stand, I'll have to try to make some stands like yours. Thanks.

Edited January 3, 2020 by firefly7
New info

[ScottsGT]

6 hours ago, firefly7 said:

Beautiful model Scott. Verry nice stand, I'll have to try to make some stands like yours. Thanks.

 

It’s a fun way to blend two of my hobbies.  I love doing woodworking projects.