Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3818

General Background

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 Aircraft

The first 50 Lockheed F-16I Sufa (Storm) for the IAF arrived with tail numbers in the 400 series and were assigned to the 119th and 253rd Squadrons. The 52 aircraft of the second wave came with tail numbers in the 800 series. In July 2006 the 107th Squadron (Knights of the Orange Tail) received their first F-16I's followed by 4 more aircraft two months later. The 107th Squadron was formed in 1953 equipped with Spitfires. The F-16I has CFTs (Conformal Fuel Tanks) and a dorsal spine avionics compartment.

Specifications :

Role:	Multi-purpose fighter
Power Plant :	1 x P&W F100-PW-229 engine with maximum thrust of 29,100 lbs.
Range:	More than 2,100 km
Speed:
High Altitude:	Mach 2+
Low Altitude:	1,440 kph
Weight:
Empty:	10,000 kg
Normal Combat w/ Full Fuel and Weapons Load:	12.8 tons
Maximum Take-Off / Landing:	23.5 tons
Dimensions:
Length:	14.93 m
Wing Span:	9.45 m
Height:	5.1 m
Armament:	Missiles
	Rafael Python 5
	AMRAM (AIM-120)
	Lightning Targeting and Navigation Pod
	LANTIRN Navigation
	Pod JDAM bomb