Tamiya 60788 - 1:72 F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon w/ full equipment

Plastic model kit of the Lockheed Martin F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon (w/ Full Equipment) fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60788 is a release of the F-16CJ Block 50 enriched with a full set of underwing stores and equipment. It uses the same new Tamiya tooling as the base 60786 kit, adding parts that allow you to recreate the aircraft's various combat configurations, typical for example of missions to suppress the opponent's air defences.

The kit includes AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9M/X Sidewinder and anti-radiation AGM-88 HARM missiles, as well as an ECM jamming pod, a Sniper XR targeting pod, an HTS pod, two types of fuel tank and a seated pilot figure. CCIP-programme improvements such as the IFF antenna in front of the cockpit are also reproduced. The decals finish the aircraft in one of three USAF schemes.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9M/X Sidewinder and anti-radiation AGM-88 HARM missiles
• Pods: ECM, Sniper XR targeting and HTS
• Two types of fuel tank and a seated pilot figure
• One-piece bubble canopy (slide-mould)
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 USAF marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60788
• 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. Before gluing, plan the underwing loadout. 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-16CJ Block 50:

The F-16 is a light, agile fighter that over time became an extremely versatile multirole platform and 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 in the F-16CJ version – advanced equipment for suppressing air defences, including the ability to carry anti-radiation missiles. The CCIP programme further extended the aircraft's capabilities, including night operations.

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, Sidewinder and anti-radiation HARM missiles
• Crew: 1
• Feature: versatile multirole fighter, capable of air-defence suppression missions

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.