Tamiya 60786 - 1:72 Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon

Plastic model kit of the Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60786 depicts the F-16CJ in the Block 50 version – one of the most popular and versatile multirole fighters in the world. The F-16 combines agility with the ability to carry out air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and the Block 50 version stands out with a more powerful engine and advanced equipment.

The kit is from new Tamiya tooling, with a one-piece bubble canopy made using slide-mould technology. It includes AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, and the decals finish the aircraft in one of three USAF schemes (including Misawa in Japan, Spangdahlem in Germany and a Tiger Meet scheme from Buckley).

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• One-piece bubble canopy (slide-mould)
• AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 USAF marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60786
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 209 mm, wingspan: approx. 131 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a new Tamiya tooling it features good parts fit. Paint the cockpit before closing the fuselage and fit the one-piece canopy last, after painting – self-adhesive masks help with its finish.

F-16s usually wear a two-tone grey finish. Lay the decals over a gloss coat to prevent silvering, then finish with a matt or satin varnish. The instructions provide paint references for all three schemes.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Gloss varnish for the decals and a satin coat to finish
• Optional: self-adhesive canopy masks

About the aircraft – Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon:

The F-16 was developed as a light, agile fighter that over time evolved into an extremely versatile multirole platform. Thanks to its adaptation for air-to-air and air-to-ground tasks, it became one of the cornerstones of U.S. air power and that of many other nations.

The Block 50 version, introduced from the early 1990s, received a more powerful engine and equipment enabling, among other things, the suppression of enemy air defences. In the F-16CJ version the aircraft was adapted to carry anti-radiation missiles, making it an effective tool in missions to suppress the opponent's defences.

Original aircraft specifications (F-16CJ Block 50):

• Length: approx. 15.0 m
• Wingspan: approx. 9.45 m
• Height: approx. 4.9 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 21,000 kg
• Powerplant: 1 afterburning turbofan
• Max speed: approx. Mach 2
• Armament: 20 mm cannon; AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles, air-to-ground stores
• Crew: 1
• Feature: versatile multirole fighter

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. Tamiya's own-tooled kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike, combining accurate detail with thoughtfully engineered, enjoyable assembly. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.