1/32 Tamiya Viper

by Bryan Lee 

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Hi there all ARC'ers. This is my first submission to ARC & I'd like to share my 1/32 Tamiya Viper. Actually,  I've finished this kit about a year ago, but since I didn't have good digital camera at that time,  I had to wait until my Dad loaned me his digital SLR :)
I also created my own thread in the In-Progress pics in ARC Forum, although I stopped posting on my thread . If you like, you have a look here:

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=58579&hl=My+Tamiya+Viper

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Here's the F-16CJ Block 50 based on Misawa unit. This Tamiya Viper kit is very nice, almost all the parts fit perfectly. I built it pretty much OOB, with the exception on the Port side of horizontal stabilizer hinges, which I replaced the plastic rod with brass rod.  Because I accidentally dropped the model onto a table when I was about to hold it to turned the model upside down. The model fell vertically just on the horizontal stab. What a disaster.

The first step making this model was building the engine.  The detail of the engine is very nice, built it without any problem.  I coated the engine with Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminium, painted the details with various Enamel from Tamiya & Model Master.  I Painted the exhaust feathers with Model Master Jet Exhaust color.  Finally, I dry-brushed all the engine surface details with Model Master Metalizer Exhaust color.

Nothing special on the cockpit, pretty much built straight out of the box with silver dry-brushing to give a realistic effect.  As the kit took shape, I added pre-shading of flat black all over the model.  I used AeroMaster Acrylic brand for the preshading.  I then sprayed FS36118 and FS36375 over the model and the paint went on nicely, although a bit fragile since it was true water-based Acrylic compared to Tamiya.  To set up the paint, I coated the model with Future applied with a brush.

Next step....I washed the entire model with a mix of Enamel Brown, Black and Red.  I applied this wash to give a dirty effect like sand-dirt, since I assume that this aircraft unit was assigned in OIF & got dirty :)  After the first wash, I reapplied the Future again, then I applied the decals which was a bit disappointing because they tended to wrinkle easily. Then, I applied the second wash with Enamel Flat Black all over the panel lines.  Same goes for the weapons, straight built then paint & wash over.  Finally, I coated the entire model with Model Master Flat Coat.  This Tamiya Viper is finished.

Thank you all for viewing my gallery submission, I hope you all like it :D

Bryan 

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Photos and text © by Bryan Lee