1:48 scale
Reviewed by Dave Coward
Take a look at the Full Review in the Full and FA Library!
The basis of this kit is the tried and tested Hasegawa F-16D with a lot of extras to convert it into the distinctive Sufa. These extras are located on several additional sprues included in the box. My initial impressions on examining the parts is that the kit has stood up well over the years with the detail still being nicely defined and very little flash being present on the sprues. The new parts such as the CFTs (conformal fuel tanks) and dorsal spine are nicely moulded and a lot of research appears to have gone into recreating an accurate rendition of the Sufa. Other additions are replacement heavyweight wheels, bulged wheel bay doors, intake ECM fairings, AMRAAM wingtip launch rails and nose ECM antennas.
ZOOM - Move your mouse over image
The clear parts are provided on one clear sprue and are well reproduced but the main canopy has the annoying seam down the centre that will have to be removed and polished out. Also the main canopy will have to be tinted in order to accurately represent the real thing.
The cockpit is reasonably well reproduced but if the canopy is to be left open it would definitely benefit from the addition of some PE and resin ACES II seats.
One disappointing part of the kit, which unfortunately is common practice for Hasegawa, is the lack of specialist weapons and targeting pods for individual aircraft types. These will have to be purchased as extras and are available in the Hasegawa weapons set range or from the more specialised Skunkworks IAF weapons sets or from IsraCast. That said the kit does include a centreline 300 gallon fuel tank, wing fuel tanks, AMRAAMs and sidewinders.
ZOOM - Move your mouse over image
Summary
Overall this is a nice kit that stands up well against the newer F-16 releases but is marred by the lack of inclusive weapons that would really set of the ‘brutish’ look of the Sufa.
Dave
