IAI Kfir C7, Kinetic 1/48 (kit K48046)

The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir ("Lion Cub") is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified French Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-built version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. It is a development of the successful Mirage III family, which was used by the Israelis as a Mach 2 all-weather interceptor, but they felt it lacked the loiter time that would be needed if a ground-attack role was to be added its task list. As a result of an arms embargo, Israel built the Nesher, an unlicensed Mirage 5, which was then improved further and was renamed as the Kfir. It entered service in 1975, and was superseded in the air superiority role when the first F-15s arrived from USA. The C2 variant added more swept canards, dog-tooth leading edges to the wings and strakes under the nose, while the C7 had more hardpoints added under the air intakes, a new engine with more thrust, in-flight refuelling probe, plus many upgrades to the avionics, which includes HOTAS and enhanced fighter-bomber capabilities. The Kfir entered service with the IAF in 1975 and remained until the late 90s, after which it was replaced by F-16s/F-15s. Some have been exported to Colombia, Ecuador and Sri-Lanka, whilst being offered for sale to potential purchasers, such as Argentina.

The Kinetic kit in 1/48 scale

Kinetic & AdvantGarde Model Kits (AMK) were, respectively, the first and second Kfir to be released in 1/48th scale in 2013. They are both highly detailed and there are many in-box reviews available on the web in order to decide which one suits you best. I chose the Kinetic for this build as a C7.

After the basic assembly was finished, I prepared the model for the painting procedure. I washed it with soap water to remove any grease from my hands and dust residues. The first stage started by spraying Mig Ammo primer. I mixed white and grey primers to have a lighter grey color. Using primers we can detect any flaws on our models and prepare the surface for the paint.

The next stage is to give some shadow effect using the preshade technique. I used Mig Ammo’s matt black to do that.

The painting procedure started painting the lower surfaces of the model using Mig Ammo’s Compass Ghost Grey. The various shades and highlights came from using the basic color with some drops of matt black and matt white.

For the upper surfaces and the 3 color camo pattern I used the Mig Ammo’s set for the Israeli aircrafts. Painting was done using Blu-tak for the tight camo pattern. Again, the various shades came from mixing the basic colors with black, white and darker green colors.

After the paint job was finished I sprayed the whole model a coat of clear gloss varnish from Ammo range.

Fuel tanks (sub/hyper-sonic) were painted with the same colors used in the aircraft. The chipping effect was done using Ammo’s liquid and it was really easy to achieve! 

After placing decals to the whole model, weathering stage started using PLW Deep Brown for the upper surfaces and PLW Black Night for the lower surfaces .Give it 2 hours to dry and then remove the excess with a cotton bud and some thinners.

Re-creating the oil streaks on flaps and other areas of the aircraft, I used Ammo’s Streaking effects and then I gave them shape using wet cotton bud at the air flow direction. Be aware to dry the cotton bud (or the brush) in a cotton towel before use it, or else you will completely remove the liquid.

For the Pave Penny’s  targeting pod sensor I used Ammo’s crystal smoke color to give the effect of the dark glass.

Finally I sprayed the model with acrylic matt varnish from Mig Ammo. Give it at least 4-6 hours to dry before touching it.

The engine exhaust came from an Aires set. You have to remove some internal structural detail though to have a good fit. The afterburner area was painted using a mix of colors: Gunze’s H303 as the basic color and added to it a few drops of Tamiya’s Sky Grey and Metallic Grey to give the correct look. After that some Black Oil to bring up the details.

The exhaust was painted using Gunze’s Mr. Metal Color Iron (212) as the basic shade and dry brushed with Stainless Steel (213) to highlight the details.