Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3830 Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon 91-0389, 55th FS/20th FW, Aviano AB, Italy March 2011 “Operation Unified Protector”

True 1/72 scale.

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.

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.

“Operation Unified Protector” saw NATO tasked to enforce a UN resolution protecting the citizens of Libya from dictator Gaddafi during the Libyan civil war in 2011. The 55th FS/20th FW operating from Aviano AB, Italy was one unit assigned to take part. The 77th FS mission wasn’t against Libyan ground forces but as “Wild Weasels” they were to locate and destroy Libyan IADs (Integrated Air Defense System). F-16CJ 91-0389 was delivered to the USAF 363rd FW in November 1993 before going to the 78th FS in April 1994 and eventually to the 55th FS in October 2004.

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.