Air Guard F-16
This is the Academy 1/48 scale F-16A/C kit.
It's not as detailed as many of the newer F-16 kits that are available , but it isn't a terrible kit.
I've had some Super Scale decals for Air National Guard & Reserve F-16s for quite awhile and decided it was time to use some of them before they go bad. This one is a New Mexico Air Guard jet.
In the early 1990s I had occasion to visit their base and was impressed with the art work on the tail and their call sign “ The Tacos” . When I saw these decals a couple years ago it reminded me of that day. Everyone there was very friendly and welcoming, it was a pleasant day visiting another Air Guard base.
I've got decals for other Guard F-16s & A-7s I hope to use in the not too distant future.
F-16s are always cool, Jay (@ssgt), but the tail art makes this one doubly cool. A lot of the newer Academy kits are reboxes from other manufacturers, but I think this actually from Academy. Well done.
Thank you George , @gblair !
I agree with you about the tail
Markings being extra cool…
New Mexico & Oklahoma had the nicest tail markings of any US F-16 unit.
I grew up in El Paso and would see NM ANG planes occasionally, but back then they were A-7s. I was an instructor pilot at Vance in Oklahoma for 4 years, and I would see the Oklahoma Guard planes all the time. They did have some cool markings.
Here are some Oklahoma ANG markings , George @gblair
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Nice markings, Jay. Those are definitely new since I saw any of their jets. I want to build some early fighters in ANG markings, perhaps a P-47, P-51, and a P-80. The ANG in various states have some really nice and distinctive markings. Thanks for posting the pic.
Excellent result from the still good Academy kit, Jay! Very cool markings!
Wishing you a happy, prosperous 2025!
Thank you, Spiros @fiveten ! I hope 2025 will be a great for all of us.
Cool markings!
I agree , @lis , the markings are the best part of the model.
Still a fine and detailed looking build to me, Jay @ssgt
You must have had a wonderful day at that base.
Wishing you a wonderful and healthy 2025
Thank you, John @johnb !
Yes, it was interesting to see all those F-16s.
Excellent work on your F-16 Jay @ssgt! Nice read of your visit and the markings looks great on her.
Thank you, Bob @v1pro !
It’s hard not to like some of the distinctive tail markings found on Air Guard aircraft.
Nicely done Jay! Happy New Year!
Thank you, Greg @gkittinger !
Hope your 2025 is a happy & prosperous !
My friend you proved that the old Academy F-16 can be turned into an awesome model that can still shine in all the right places. Your fit and finish on this model is to be commended. Your choice of decals for this F-16 will hopefully inspire you to do an Oklahoma ANG F-16 in 2025. Happy modelling my friend!
Thank you, Morné @mornem !
I appreciate the kind words. I’m looking forward to eventually completing more ANG aircraft models in the coming year. I’m eager to see your CF-100 posted here on imodeler too!