hobbymaster


Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3868

Lockheed F-16A Fighting Falcon 79-0403, New York ANG/174th TFW, Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
HA3868
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
1989 saw the 138th TFS / 174th TFW New York ANG replaced their A-10As for the F-16A Fighting Falcon. In January 1991 the 174th TFW was based in Saudi Arabia and assigned to the 4th TFW (Provisional) as a close air support unit as part of Operation Desert Storm. In 1981 until 1989 F-16A 79-0403 “Bavaria” was assigned to 429th TFS when it transferred to the 138th TFS. The aircraft was named Spirit of Syracuse and served with the 138th TFW until it was put on display on the deck of the USS Intrepid in 1995.
Specifications :
Role: 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)
Wingspan 32 ft 8 in (9.8 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 (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
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.