Airfix 1/72 F-16A "Desert Storm"
Hi everyone!
This is my Airfix 1/72 F-16A, finished as ANG's #79404 bird, based at Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, during Operation "Desert Storm", 1991.
The F-16 is a single-engine, highly maneuverable, supersonic, multi-role tactical fighter aircraft.
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.
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.
In 1991, the 138th TFS deployed to the Persian Gulf with 516 members in support of Operation Desert Storm.
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!
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!
Thanks my friend @eb801!
Superb F-16! Under wing there are Paveway bombs? Do You fly on F-16?
Thanks my friend @lis!
Ordnance is AGM-65 Mavericks.
No, no F-16! Only M-2000!
Well done, Spiros! Balancing the display must have been fun.
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
Yep, took some calculations ( 🙂 ) to balance it, thankfully the gear was ultra heavy, so this helped!
Simply superb.
Cheers,
Alistair
Thanks my friend @alistairfgauld!
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.
Thanks my friend @gkittinger!
And thanks for the extra info!
That book is very much worth reading! Just finished it. Having lived through those times while flying fighters in the USAF, it gives some really good background for for things I saw take place. Boyd made some important contributions, but sadly, I think we are back to the "bigger, faster, higher" mode of designing fighters...it make more money for the defense contractors. The Marines seem to be the only service that truly took his theories/teachings to heart.
Ditto, my friend @trod348!
Glad to see this one posted, Spiros! It’s an awesome subject and I have a soft spot for that kit.
Thanks my friend @j-healy! I have a similar affection for this kit, too!
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.
Thanks my friend @johnb!
Hey mate , this is amazing at 1/72, she looks awesome fully loaded . Great work my friend.
Thanks my friend @neil-foster!
Really nice, Spiros (@fiveten). Paint and decals look awesome.
Thanks my friend @gblair!
Very nice Viper in nice Camo
Thanks my friend @b-l-stryker!
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.
Thanks my friend @luftwaffe-birdman!
Yes, it is amazing to watch these guys!
Awesomw looking Falcon, Spiros! Really like the stand.
I was wondering when we were gonna see this great build posted.
Thanks my friend @georgeswork!
Really nice 'Viper' Spiros @fiveten. Nice work on the landing gears panels. Love the In Flight position.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks my friend @yann!
Wow Spiros - build quality off the chart again and a very creative way to pose your masterpiece. Top notch!
Thanks my friend @yellow10!
All of the above! Great build. It's a good dog fighter too.
Thanks my friend @roofrat!
I’m trying really hard not to comment on military models now, but I couldn’t resist this one, it’s really “top gear”.
Thanks my friend @chinesegeorge!
I missed this one! Really nice job, great detail, especially on the underside, Spiros.
Thanls my friend @robgenev665!