Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3831B Lockheed F-16A Netz 124 Giora Epstein, Sqn 140, IAF Ramon Air Base, 20 May 1997

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.

Colonel Giora Epstein is referred in Israel as “Ace of Aces” with a kill total of 17. Epstein was an active pilot from 1963 until May 27, 1997 when he took his final flight in an F/A-16A Netz (Hebrew for Hawk). On the side of the aircraft was his name in Hebrew surrounded by his 17 kill markings. Early in Epstein’s career he traveled outside Israel and because of military policy he changed his name to Even (Hebrew for Stone) so he is also referred to Giora Even. It was claimed he could spot enemy aircraft as far away as 24 miles and earned the nickname “Hawkeye”.

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.