Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3889
Lockheed F-16AM 301 Sq. "Jaguares", Portuguese Air Force, "NATO Tiger Meet 2011"
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
In 1978 the Portuguese Air Force 301 Squadron “Jaguares” equipped with the G-91R Gina took part in their first NATO Tiger Meet held in Belgium. In 1979 the 301st gained full membership in the NATO Tiger Meet Association. In 1987, 1996 and 2002 the 301st hosted the NTM at Montijo AB. In 1993 the squadron re-equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet A which they flew until 2005. In November 2005 the 301st received the F-16 Fighting Falcon AM/BM. In 2011 the Portuguese 301st won the Silver Tiger Trophy and the Best Flying Unit Award.
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. |