Profile Photo
Spiros Pendedekas
171 articles

Hasegawa 1/72 Hellenic Fighting Falcon

May 13, 2025 · in Aviation · · 47 · 161

The Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter originally developed by General Dynamics for the USAF.

Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft with over 4,600 built since 1976. Although no longer purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export.

Key features include a frameless bubble canopy for enhanced cockpit visibility, a side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, an ejection seat reclined 30 degrees from vertical to reduce the effect of g-forces and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system that helps agility.

It has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 hardpoints. Although officially named "Fighting Falcon", the aircraft is commonly known by the nickname "Viper" among its crews and pilots.

Apart from the U.S. the type has also been procured by the air forces of 25 other nations.

As of 2025, it is the world's most common fixed-wing aircraft in military service, with 2,084 F-16s operational.

The has received a total of 170 F-16 aircraft including F16CD block 30, 50, and 52.

Special features of the HAF aircraft are, among others, the installation of a drag chute at the fin base aft area and the very effective (and very beautiful) “Aegean Ghost” scheme, derived from a similar USAF Aggressor one.

This is the second generation F-16 mold and was first issued in 1985 (the first generation was issued in 1976). This newer mold has been reboxed around 70 (!) times so far, with the occasional addition of extra sprues to cover newer/different versions.

The specific kit is the 2008 exact reboxing of the “original” 2000 F-16CJ (Block 50) version, bought in 2025 at the normal price of around $20.

It was to be a “simple and quick” build (whatever that means), having a tight time frame, to be presented to an F-16 pilot.

Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:


Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
14  Awesome 1 

47 responses

  1. Absolutely wonderful, Spiros @fiveten
    The Viper is an elegant aircraft by itself but the perfectly applied ghost scheme is making it a real beauty.
    Thanks for the background information of this already iconic aircraft.
    It was a real pleasure to follow you putting this kit together.

  2. Great work in this scale, Spiros, the Viper pilot must be very happy to receive this model.

  3. Great work on the build and the camouflage scheme, Spiros.
    Some say Viper, some say Falcon, I say a great looking jet.

  4. G’day Spiros (@fiveten),
    Great job on the camouflage as always - the Aegean Ghost scheme is both beautiful and effective.
    Liked!

  5. Jasou Spiros @fiveten, you are right about that beautiful camouflage. It is lovely. Great paintjob with some subtle weathering!

  6. Nicely done, Spiros!

  7. Your ability to add new buildings is amazing. Again, beautiful work and very interesting coloring.

  8. Well done, Spiros!

  9. Yet another Greek treasure of a modeling standard Spiros (@fiveten). The back round history adds another layer of interest into Greek history.

  10. Another excellent build Spiros! The finish is superb!

  11. Nice work as ever. That is a very lucky friend.

  12. Beautiful, Spiros! Are the Hellenic markings on the wings like the USAAF in WWII, top left and bottom right?

  13. A lovely Viper - love the Aegean Ghost scheme.

  14. Two thumbs up on the beautiful and well-applied paint scheme, Spiros @fiveten!

  15. Looks Fantastic! Any rockets under wings?

  16. Nicely presented Spiros.

  17. As usual, a great job Spiros!

  18. Very nice Viper, Spiros.
    Looks definitely larger than 1/72 thanks to your craftsmanship!
    Awesome paint job too.

  19. All of the above, sometimes less [ordinance] is more, nice paint scheme. I still watch your air forces Phantom videos.

  20. Wow, that's just fantastic, Spiros @fiveten! 👏 What a beautiful paintjob you've achieved here! 🤩

  21. Great finish on an iconic aircraft!

Leave a Reply