Hobby Master Archive

The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

The 19th and 33rd TFSs of the 363rd FW deployed from Shaw AFB in support of “Operation Southern Watch”. On December 27, 1992 F-16DG 90-0778, commonly referred to as “the family bus” was on a 4 hour flight adding flight hours so the aircraft could go to phase inspection. The aircraft belonged to the 19th TFS but was on loan to the 33rd TFS and flown by Captain Gary North with callsign “Benji 41”. During the flight Captain North encountered an Iraqi Mig-25 Foxbat that had crossed the 32nd north parallel and entered the no-fly zone. During the encounter Captain North fired an AIM-120 that destroyed the Mig-25 making it the first time an AIM-120 missile was fired in combat and the first F-16 air- to-air kill in “OSW”. In October 1993 the aircraft became the property of the 63rd FS/ 56th FW.

General specifications F-16 Fighting Falcon Primary Function - Multi-role fighter Manufacturer - General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp. Initial Unit cost - F-16C/D, $20 million plus First Deployed - January 1979 (F-16A) Crew - 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D Power Plant - F-16C/D 1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or 1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129 Thrust - F-16C/D / 27,000 lb (12,150 kg) Length - 49 ft, 5 in (14.8 m) Height - 16 ft (4.8 m) Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in (9.8 m) Speed - 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude) Ceiling - Above 50,000 ft (15 km) Maximum Takeoff Weight - 37,500 lb (16,875 kg) Range - Greater than 2,425 mi (2,100 nm / 3,900 km) Combat Radius F-16C 851.6 mi (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external tanks 391.3 mi (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external tanks 230.2 mi (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S. gal external tanks Armament 1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions Electronic countermeasure pods.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3813 Lockheed F-16DG Fighting Falcon 90-0778, October 1993 with the 63rd FS/56th FW, “Foxbat Killer” on December 27, 1992

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.

Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figure included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.