Viper Mania

The last year has been an excellent one for F-16 modelers.

First Tamiya came out with their F-16C block 25 and block 50 versions. In many respects these kits surpass the Hasegawa kits in detail. They also include AIM-9X and AIM-120C missiles and ALQ-184 pods, as wells as towed decoys and LITENING pods, and have excellent markings.

Then Kinetic came out with their excellent F-16 kits, the first being the F-16AM. Despite some shape problems, this kit also has excellent detail. Its worth it alone for the weapons options. There is enough armament to arm 7-8 F-16s. There are 8 AIM-120s (B & C) and 8 AIM-9s (M & X), plus LITENING and SNIPER pods, and AGM-65 Mavericks, including the first release of the LAU-117 launcher. Additional stores are MK82s, JDAMs, CBUs, GBUs (2 types), and Penquin missiles.

Tamiya has continued by releasing an Aggressor/Adversary version including parts to make any block 30/32/42 including the rare WAR HUD. New stores include the ACMI pod, chin pods and the ALQ-188. The original parts form the AIM-120s, AIM-9s and ALQ-184 are still there. Markings are provided for the 3 current USAF aggressor schemes and a rare Navy Top Gun blue F-16N.

Adding these kits to my production line has greatly increased the range of F-16 variants in my collection.