3 F16 Falcons Kits - Which is which?

Kits aren't built the same. That is true for the modeler and for the manufacturer.  As a friend of mine said, "If it's cheap, there must be something wrong with it".  Is there really a big difference between these three 1/48 Scale F16C Falcons?

Before I go on, choose from A, B or C based on what you think is the best variant. After this, let me help you scrutinize each of them.

Kit A-

This kit is not your regular beginner's kit.  It has metal parts to strengthen the rudders and the fuel tanks to prevent them from either breakage or falling of from the fuselage.  The kit is not as easy to build and may require intermediate skills.  The fit is good except for the two separate upper fuselage.  These two critical parts have to be dry fitted first to prevent buldging or misalignment.  If not careful, you will have to do major sanding on the top fuselage. The decals are great.  I have never seen a 1/48 scale kit with so many decals with it.  The accuracy of the decal sheet goes straight down to every armament the bird can carry.  You have three options on the squadron you might want to choose from.  The cockpit does not have decals for the dials so you will have to paint them as well. The kit provides two sets of canopies. One is slightly tinted while this other is not.  However, there is a seam line right on the middle of the canopy. That would require extra skills and work to remove. I would not recommend this kit for beginners. A kit like this will cost you around USD$30.

Kit B

Kit B is easier to assemble.  I had the least problems putting the parts together. This kit primarily resembles the Korean Air Force variant  however, it has an US Air Force option if you wish to use it.  The decals are great and adhere properly without any difficulty. You have options for installing a pilot and there are various armaments you can choose from as well. The details of this bird is superbly done with recessed panel lines that are properly scaled.The canopy was well made without any seams. The instructions are easy to understand.  The entire kit is actually close to perfect.  This is a project that a beginner or intermediate aircraft enthusiast might want to start with. This kit will cost around USD$30 as well.

Kit C

Kit C has good panel details with decals provided for the cockpit. The armaments is well detailed and much of the assembly is similar to Kit B.  However, the gaps are terrible. I had to fill the gaps with styrene plastic and sand them after applying putty. Gaps will be seen on the wing assembly and on the collar of the air-intakes. There was much effort on making the gaps almost unnoticed. The decals are well done with three squadron options to choose from. The landing gears were badly planed and designed.  If you attach these using the holes provided in the landing bay, the model will be lower than the accurate height of the aircraft. You will have to do much adjustments on these prior gluing. If not, the aircraft will sit on the belly of its fuel tanks. Bad!!!! The canopy has a seam on it. You will also have to spend hours to correct that if you know how to. This kit can be bought at less than USD$25.

Total hours consumed to build all three of these planes turned out to 110 hours spread in two weeks. Much of the time was spent on correcting the flaws of Kit C. These kits were commission to me by a collector for me to build.  I had fun building them but how I wish I could set aside Kit C.  It made my nights bad!!!!

Kit A is a Tamiya Kit.  Kit B is a Hasegawa Kit and Kit C is an Academy Kit. Your choice!