Profile Photo
Spiros Pendedekas
140 articles

Airfix 1/72 F-16A "Desert Storm"

May 23, 2022 · in Aviation · · 36 · 1.4K

Hi everyone!


This is my , finished as ANG's #79404 bird, based at Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, during Operation "", 1991. The model was an entry to Chuck Villanueva's @uscusn "Desert Storm" GB.
The F-16 is a single-engine, highly maneuverable, supersonic, multi-role tactical fighter aircraft. It more or less emerged after the experiences gained in the Vietnam War, calling (among others) for a small, lightweight aircraft with high thrust-to-weight ratio, that could maneuver with the minimum possible energy loss. It had to be relatively inexpensive to build and simple to maintain. Well, the rest is history!

Much smaller and lighter than its predecessors, but using advanced aerodynamics and avionics and highly agile, the F-16 was the first fighter aircraft purpose-built to pull 9-g maneuvers.

Its features included a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, a side-mounted control stick, and a reclined seat to reduce g-force effects on the pilot. It was armed with an internal M61 Vulcan cannon in the left wing root and featured multiple locations for mounting various missiles, bombs and pods.

The 138th Attack Squadron (138 ATKS) is a unit of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing located at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York.

It was formed in August 1942 and has flown a variety of aircraft in a multitude of operations ever since. As of 2021, it is currently equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

In 1991, the 138th TFS deployed to the Persian Gulf with 516 members in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Limitations regarding the performance of their F-16s using gun pods in Close Air Support role resulted in quickly switching to bombing role, where they excelled, receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with the "V" device for valor.
The venerable Airfix kit has been accompanying us for so many years now: not the latest and greatest, but, still, a decent, buildable kit that can yield a satisfactory model.
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/mod/us/usaf/fighter/pen16a.htm
Happy modeling!
Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

36 responses

  1. Thumbs up on this one Spiros @fiveten. The pilot and the gear stand is an extra nice touch. And your posting on MM is very thorough. Another knockout!

  2. Superb F-16! Under wing there are Paveway bombs? Do You fly on F-16?

  3. Well done, Spiros! Balancing the display must have been fun.

  4. Simply superb.

    Cheers,
    Alistair

  5. I really like this one, Spiros! Looks great!

    According to Robert Coram, author of "Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War," the F-16 was almost the fighter that was not! Exceptional book - Boyd made a huge impact on warfare, both in the air and on the ground.

  6. Glad to see this one posted, Spiros! It’s an awesome subject and I have a soft spot for that kit.

  7. Excellent build, Spiros @fiveten
    The base does definitely help to make the impressive ordnance better visible.
    Your godson must be really happy to have it on his desk.
    It was a pleasure to read your article on MM as well.

  8. Hey mate , this is amazing at 1/72, she looks awesome fully loaded . Great work my friend.

  9. Really nice, Spiros (@fiveten). Paint and decals look awesome.

  10. Very nice Viper in nice Camo

  11. Profile Photo
    Walt said on May 23, 2022

    Nice way to display a well done kit. The F-16 is really a remarkable aircraft, having seen them perform a air shows they were always fun to watch. One of the benefits of growing up as an Air Force brat was getting to watch the Thunderbirds (in F-4's, T-38's and F-16's) and occasionally the Blue Angles (in A-4's and F-18's) rehearse before the big show and all the crowds. Those guys can really make their planes do some incredible manuevers.

  12. Awesomw looking Falcon, Spiros! Really like the stand.
    I was wondering when we were gonna see this great build posted.

  13. Really nice 'Viper' Spiros @fiveten. Nice work on the landing gears panels. Love the In Flight position.
    Thanks for sharing

  14. Wow Spiros - build quality off the chart again and a very creative way to pose your masterpiece. Top notch!

  15. All of the above! Great build. It's a good dog fighter too.

  16. I’m trying really hard not to comment on military models now, but I couldn’t resist this one, it’s really “top gear”.

  17. I missed this one! Really nice job, great detail, especially on the underside, Spiros.

Leave a Reply