Intake invention
With the inner portion of the intake sanded, it’s time to assemble the outer intake skin and intake lip. One of the distinctive features of the F-16 intake is a structural support close to the mouth. Tamiya requires that this item is inserted before the outer skin and intake lip is attached. This will cause me a problem when it comes time to sand the intake lip. What is needed to solve this problem is a revised order of assembly.
To enable me to insert the structural support at the very end (after sanding and painting) I have cut a hole in the top of the intake. I think this will work a treat. Remember, you don’t have to do it the way the manufacturer designed it. Always look for ways to make your life easier :)
With the intake strut problem solved, next challenge is to attach and sand in the intake lip. Here we can see the precision of the various parts that go up to make the intake.
The intake lip itself has been attached. Once dry, it will be sanded to blend into the inner trunking of the intake.
Even though you have not seen many photos of the other sub components of the model, I have been busy. Here you see every major sub-assembly ready for a coat of primer. Not bad for 1 week’s work :)
