Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3895Lockheed Martin F-16V 6822, ROC (pseudo scheme) with AGM-158 missiles
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 first F-16V completed its maiden flight in October 2015 at Fort Worth. Beginning in 2018 the first of 42 ROCAF F-16V aircraft started to arrive. This upgrade is comprised of new flight management systems, new APG-83 fire control radar, new electronic warfare system, helmet-mounted display. The ROCAF’s plan is to upgrade 144 ROCAF A/B Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to the F-16V configuration by 2023. F-16B 93-0843 / 6822 was first received in August 1999 and is assigned to the 401st TFW, 26th TFS “Witch”, Hualien AB.
