F-16 Fighter USAF
By Alexander Kutovenko
In this edition we are taking to the skies. My subject isthe sleek.
F-16 Fighter as flown by the USAF. Although this craft first took
to the air some 36 years ago, this lethal platform remains an
integral part of the US air arsenal. The model is from Kinetic,
the two-seat variant of the craft. Before | begin, there are a
few points about my approach that I'd like to touch upon: first,
Ubelieve in using layers to create effects, effects should look
fatural and somewhat random ~ evold symmetry, and flnaly
don’t be afraid to “over-do it”, as many times this works to tell
a better story and make the model more attractive.Gee eo 7 Gene ee Cn
With the lt assembled, | can begin painting by giving the model end overall Idithe preshoding done using Black, a very reliable pin when doing fine
coating of AMMO grey primer. | prefer using this neural color becauze now | lines. Algo, Iv used 2 0.2 fine noodle bocavee plone hove «lat of small narrow
have ace background fo individucly darken orighlenceroinorsasor panels panels otk core of and I dont want a lot of overspray.
vwihou worrying chou competing colors
EJ The underside receives the
same dition tothe panel,
however, in certain oroos |
‘add a lle calor tothe pre
‘hae fo agin the fis oun.
dation layers of heat and
‘exhaust stains,
Continuing wah the prehade, | rndomly werk wth the individu random pane
dls to give caer variation and some itegulatily te achieve & worn and weath
ered appecrance a: seen in eference photon. | also add some streaks using an
Cirbrush near the movebla paris of wings
Painting begins. This Viper has late tone police sels ar frm ht cls. The ido hare to bud yp
the colors dry, vig wnspares ayers soos not oy coer the prose work. Thee rice pares rom AMMO
‘ref high cut ond oe hyped, cr so ware uth sigh fom he bleh cove ol hes
precios prec nor move, So, ar beter coral ways ad hiner othe pots and work nye. er is
Sie, bl youre netin aryUndorsidos. Again, ada litl thinner and ty not
to completely cover preshaded arect. I's lke o
path for you
ere
gr cr ho ts eo
coo
as
The most awesome color is the dork gray
When this lover was done and dry | said 40
inyself “Wow, that’s exacly F-16 shade!” Now,
to lighten up rondom panels some of the dark
‘gray wor mixed with FS36270 Mi
Soma panel was lighted me:
for color variation
ium Gray,
some late, just
tc)
Dron)
Alter frishing with the paintwork, cll ofthe su
facee were sacled with AMMMO gloss vanish and
than lef to dry 2 days. Becouse ofits acrylic resin
bat, ils important thal the varnish be permed
at lot 1 doy for drying before opplying the de-
tale — otherwise, you may face some unpleasant
resuls
Now I begin wit the wathes in order give color
variation. | bagin by using 1603 PLW Blue Weh
fon random ponels to give them bluish shade. 1
leave this to dry overnight ard then gently remove
the excose wih cotlon swab. Now the gray bas
smooth, blue shed.Coe
‘The same blue wath goes on underside and external fueltonks. As youcan ws, For upper surfaces | found thet PW A.MNG. 161
the surkace details provide the "mop oso where to edd the effect colr for his suction. Is dark enough fo bring out tal, where block wosh
‘would be too dark end not appear reais
‘Again, ving the some Bue Colored FLW AMIG 1603 wash os before, | odd
Now iste for adding dit and grime, bu before | do thot ins and grime fo the underside of he oirrof. | concentra the aplication
‘pray the model with mat varnish so that the surface has some raor ponellines, lower orecs, comes, rvattond all ober logical areas, Excess
oath’ forthe effets sick fo ‘wath can be clecned using a eon brush moistened wit thinners. This procoss
fakes te but the results ore rice ond gives great ok to mace
Varely is bey Yo con
sinc Yochng, and
Some fret pes of
Sins cn be creed us
ing techrigues he ight
te more common whon
swoathoring mot. As
‘eon here, hve vied
the apcng” ted
(licking paint om a
bush ust used.
‘Geate mud solahos) fo
The same proces to coat gine and dit was sad on he Upper surfaces
(Over tha dark oe ied th Deep Brown wath ogain on logical laces. con i y create these smal dope
Conrad tho ofc on th wings, gun bay ond spine pane Ys soon the rear les and ol sinsCeo oe
| used thi same mathod to erste stains on the fol tanks, licking dived And finally | apply streaks cs the final part of he cierabs weathering. Again,
‘A.MIG-1409 Fue Soins efecto indict eal pil and eplchos, | need to se logic when appying them fo areas euch az near the engine and
landing gear ond the hydravkcmechonism of wings. I's best to odd o fe
streak oa Hme,cllow thom lo dy — then delrmina f more are needed,
‘See you again! Bye!re ee ae SR en Ce)
es ae tN CN