Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA38002Lockheed Martin F-16C 87-0284, 120th FS, Colorado Air National Guard, 2020
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
F-16C 87-0284 was completed in November 1988 and was assigned to the 480 TFS in January 1989. In June 1990 the aircraft transferred to the 613 TFS but in January 1992 moved to the 120 TFS/ 140th TFW of the Colorado Air National Guard. The 120th “Redeyes” refer to themselves as “Mile High Militia”. In 2003 the squadron deployed in support of “Iraqi Freedom” and later that year 87-0284 received a special Tiger paint scheme for the ”Tiger Meet of the Americas”. In 2020 the aircraft received a new tail design and paint scheme.
Hobby Master HA38002, Lockheed Martin F-16C 87-0284, 120th FS, Colorado, 1:72
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.
