Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3890
Lockheed F-16BM J-211, 322 Squadron, RNLAF, Volkel AB, 2006
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 fourth batch of F-16s delivered to the RNIAF consisted of 4 aircraft, 83-1208 – 83-1211. With the Dutch 83-1211 c/n 6E-30 became J-211 and was assigned to the 315 Squadron in 1986. Over the years this aircraft spent time with numerous squadrons before being sold to the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile) in 2007 where it wore 738 assigned to the FACh Grupo 8. In 2006 and 2007 an FMS Program, Peace Amstel I, Chile acquired 11 F-16As and 7 F-16Bs.
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. |