UPDATED to include BIG49242. If you are a new modeler who jumps right into the build without any prep work or if you are an experienced modeler who hates prep work and keeping track of the pieces and progress, this book can be a big help. Note: This book only has a standard binding. The full color version is available as a PDF download on my website. A gray-scale spiral bound version is also available on my website. (glennhoovermodels.com) See a review at www.detailandscale.com/scale_model_book_review_How_to_Build_Tamiya_F-16C_Model_by_Glenn_Hoover_2017.html. This book contains detailed instructions on building the F-16C Fighting Falcon (Block 25/32) ANG 1/48 scale model aircraft from Tamiya. I take the model kit instructions from Tamiya and break them up into individual steps. I reorder the steps so that the small pieces (antennas, etc.) are assembled last which reduces the risk of damage when building the model. The steps are organized to insert the paint and decal steps in the best spot. I also incorporate Eduard's Photo Etch set BIG4908 in with Tamiya's instructions. As most modelers know, it can be tricky to go back and forth between the model kit instructions and the PE instructions. I took out the guesswork and did that for you. The PE steps are colored in gray making them easy to skip if you just have the basic model. This book provides a little history of the F-16, photos of the model kit contents including the photo etch frets, a detailed list of tools that I used to build this model, along with a list of paints. The actual instruction section is huge and contains 1069 steps that tells you what to dry fit, glue, and/or paint for each individual piece. Each step instruction shows the source (i.e., either Tamiya's or Eduard's instruction) along with a block for you to mark that you completed the step. If the last column contains an X, that means there's a photo in the back with more details about the step. The major instruction sequence for this model is
1. Cockpit
2. Main Wheel Well
3. Fuselage
4. Wings
5. Nose Gear Wheel Well
6. Engine Intake
7. Nose Cone
8. Prime and Paint Fuselage and Wings
9. Engine Exhaust
10. Wheel Well Photo Etch
11. Main Landing Gear
12. Nose Landing Gear
13. Bomb and Missile Racks
14. Bombs and Missiles
15. Decals (Underside)
16. Attach Bomb and Missile Racks
17. Decals (Top and Sides)
18. Wings Flaps and Tail Assembly
19. Instrument Panel, Seat, and Pilot
20