Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA38032
F-16C Block 25 "Blue Flanker" 84-1301, 64th AGRS, Nellis AFB, 2012
 
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
Since the war in Ukraine has begun there have calls by Ukrainian Government to obtain F-16 aircraft from NATO members. These aircraft would allow the Ukrainian Air Force to take on Russian aircraft and give Ukraine the ability to deliver air-to-ground strikes. If these F-16s arrive hopefully they will be wearing Ukraine paint schemes such as this model.