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.
On June 8, 2009 37° Stormo of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) presented two F-16 ADF aircraft that had been given special paint schemes. These paint schemes were applied to MM7240 and MM7249 to celebrate the accomplishment of 1000 flying hours in the Viper by the Commanders of the 10° and 18° Gruppo. The two special paint scheme aircraft flew a demonstration along with seven other aircraft from the 10° and 18° Gruppo. This release represents the F-16 ADF MM7240 #18 flown by Maj. Maurizio “Masa” De Angelis.
- True 1/72 scale
- Professionally painted
- Great attention to detail
- All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
- Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions
- Canopy can be displayed open or closed
- Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
- Highly collectable