Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3896

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

General Electric F-101 turbofan engines were developed for the Rockwell B-1A Lancer that was cancelled in 1977. GE re-engineered the engines for fighter aircraft under the Derivative Fighter Engine (DFE) program. The new F-101X DFE engine was fitted to the first full-scale development (FSD) F-16A (75-0745) which was known as F-16/101. This aircraft made 58 test flights during 75 hours flight time before the project was cancelled in 1981. The F101X DFE engine was not used in F-16s but was used to develop the GE F-110 engine first used in Block 30 aircraft.

Specifications :

Engine:	1 X General Electric F101X DFE turbofan, thrust 14,000 lb.s.t. dry / 28,000 lb.s.t. with afterburning
Maximum speed :	Mach 2.05 at 40,000 feet
Initial climb rate:	62,000 feet per minute
Service ceiling :	55,000 feet
Maximum range :	2,400 miles
Dimension
Length:	47 ft
Wingspan	32 ft 9.5 in
Height:	16 ft 8.5 in
Weight:
Empty:	16,000 lb
Maximum take-off:	37,000 lb