Reviews : Tamiya Lockheed F-16C Block 25/32 Jet Fighting Falcon

The Tamiya 1/48 Lockheed F-16C Block 25/32 Fighting Falcon #61101 was originally produced in 2008. Although this kit has been around for some time now, the Tamiya 1/48 F-16C/CJ kits are thought to be the best kits of this aircraft currently on the market. These kits get high ratings for level of detail, quality of the molded kit parts, kit instruction presentation and excellent parts fit. Although these kits are slightly higher in price, the balance between level of detail and ease of build make this kit well worth the higher expense. However, building of this kit still requires that the builder pay attention to the correct selection of parts, as three different versions of this aircraft are to be selected from. Two versions are for the California National Air Guard, Fresno, CA used in 2006, and in 2007. A third version represents an Arkansas Air National Guard Block 32 F-16C used in 2006. For my build, I selected option A: 144th FW, California Air National Guard, Fresno ANGB, 2007. As I grew up near this airbase and recall seeing these aircraft in use, this was an easy choice for me to make. As mentioned above, despite the overall excellent fit of the parts, careful attention should be taken when gluing the main upper fuselage halves together. I recommend aligning and gluing these upper main fuselage parts together and allowing the bond to set prior to gluing this assembly to the lower half of the fuselage assembly as illustrated in Step 4 of the build. Another part of the assembly requiring careful attention is Step 2 of the build which involves the installation of several small detail parts. This kit has a lot of detail in the main landing gear bays out of the box. Also be mindful of some small decals that are associated with the landing gear bays and struts. In order to add more visual interest to my model, I deviated from the instructions and added the AN/AAQ-28 Litening II pod and the AN/ALQ ECM pod. This made it possible for me to include the four GBU-12 Paveway II Laser-guided bombs to the load out on this model. I used the two 370 gallon wing tanks included in the kit. For fuselage surface colors I used Mission Models Light Ghost Grey for the fuselage under surfaces. For the surfaces behind the nose of the aircraft, I used AK Medium Grey. For the upper surfaces of the fuselage behind the canopy, I used Vallejo Medium Gunship Gray. All fuselage surface colors were applied using a 0.3mm Iwata HP-C airbrush at 18-20 psi. Decals were thick and required Micro Sol and Micro Set solutions for installation. Decaling of this model was very tedious and time consuming. Even though entry level modelers could possibly successfully complete this kit, best results are more likely with intermediate to advanced modelers with airbrush/decal installation skills.

I build models for commission work as a side business, and anytime someone asks me to do an F-16, and I have to order the parts for the build myself....it's a Tamiya kit every time. These kits go together so excellent, that it's hard to fathom anything else. Aside from the ease of the build is the highly accurate details that are also provided with them. A big winning point is the quality weapons load out that is included that also come with very detailed decals to compliment them. The pilot figure that is included is very well crafted, and looks amazing when added to the kit if you're interested in posing him in the cockpit. There is a ton of aftermarket stuff for this kit to add even further detail and realism, but if I'm being honest, you'll be just fine building this one out of the box. This kit is all around a homerun in the modeling community, and no one else really even comes close. That being said, it should be mentioned that there are quite a few parts that come included with this kit, and it's not one that can be started and completed over the weekend. It will require a moderate amount of time, but unlike most kits that suffer from too many parts syndrome....these are all required, and will be able to provide a purpose, and are well engineered for solid build structure. I have since picked up the CJ variant in 1:48 and 1:32 scale, which are also equally as amazing. The F-16 has been vastly covered by practically every company that's around in the modeling manufacturing world, and although a lot of them have managed to push out some really nice kits, none come close to being THIS kit. The price is a bit steep for a 1:48 kit, but very average for what you would expect to pay for kits of this caliber. I don't flinch at all when paying it these days, because I know that the final outcome is a very well done kit that will look the part without very much frustration in constructing it. If you're looking for THE premier F-16 kit to buy, and haven't managed to find it yet, well, your search ends here. Pick one up today

I figure a Tamiya F-16C would be a nice high-quality build, but it is not. I don't like how the fuselage is in half, and you have to glue it together leaving a gap on top of the fuselage body. I don't like how the canopy doesn't close all the way as the HUD mount is too high in the cockpit. I had much better luck with Academy's F-16s and early monogram F-16s in the past. But not this F-16 I thought it would be a fun build but turned out to be a builder's nightmare for me I think I'll try either a Hasegawa or Kinetic F-16 next time but defiantly not the Tamiya brand never again waste my money on Tamiya I truly think there are far better 1/48 F-16s out there. Tamiya fails.

The best F-16C kit of the 1/48th scale! This kit has all the pieces you need to create either a Block 25 or 32 variant of the jet. It even comes with plenty of weapons and an awesome decal sheet featuring 2 California ANG jets or an Arkansas ANG one. This kit has the best detail that you can get with a surface featuring every panel line and screw, a cockpit with each and every control panel, and heavily detailed wheel wells! It may be expensive, but it is worth every dollar spent!

Tamiya makes arguably the best F-16 series in 1/48th scale. The model has nice details and represents an earlier F-16C block, in fact, the first F-16Cs started with Block 25. The kit includes full ordnance, including a Ligtening II pod, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAMs, and GBU-12s.

so i bought some aftermarket decals and make this a thunderbird f16 (see pictures). i have no complaints about this kit. it falls together with amazing detail. its not difficult to make this kit look great. ill be doing the aggressor next.

All the usual Tamiya features are at work here. I chose the Arkansas ANG version as it added four gbu-12 bombs to the AAM's. Decals for plane and ordinance was great. I added weight to the nose, as the plane was tilting back.

Another excellent kit from Tamiya. I prefer Tamiya over all others for the detail, fit and finish and always do WW2 models, this is my first modern one.

Went together like a dream, no complaints. Just added different decals and that's it! The kit has tons of details and great weapon selection.

This Tamiya Viper is a detailed kit with good cockpit detail and good surface detail. The exhaust engines are also detailed.

I've built these so much I don't need the instructions. Best viper kit in 1/48 out there!

Tamiya makes beautiful kits the level of detail is amazing I have one I love it!!!