Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3894
Lockheed Martin F-16C "Wraith" 89-2048, 64th Aggressor Sqn., Nellis AFB, 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 
In September 1990 F-16 89-1048 1C-201 was delivered to the USAF. On October 29, 2019; the newly acquired 57th FW / 64 Aggressor Squadron F-16 89-2048 was unveiled wearing an all-black with red markings. The scheme was the top choice of several options that was selected using Facebook and hopefully social media would generate excitement for the project. The aircraft was named “Wraith” which is a ghostly image of someone shortly before or after their death. The 57th FW / 64 Aggressor Squadron is located at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas.