Even at the ripe old age of 20, the F-16 Falcon remains a fast and potent favorite among fighter pilots, and one of the best fighters in its class. Designed originally as a no-frills, single-engine "hot rod", the addition of improved radar and weaponry have made the Falcon a super, lightweight jet. Used mainly as a bomber, the Fighting Falcon can also turn-and-burn with unbridled fury when provoked. It is also one of the first operational fly-by-wire aircraft; its flight controls being electronically operated and computer controlled. A 20mm cannon, Maverick missiles, and laser-guided bombs make the F-16 a potent multi-role fighter. However, it's light weight, speed and agility make it the choice of the US Air Force's Thunderbirds aerobatic team.

The F-16C (single seat) and F-16D (two seat) variants entered production in 1984. The first C/D version was the Block 25 with improved cockpit avionics and radar which added all-weather capability with beyond-visual-range (BVR) AIM-7 and AIM-120 air-air missiles. Block 30/32, 40/42, and 50/52 were later C/D versions. The F-16C/D had a unit cost of US$18.8 million (1998). Operational cost per flight hour has been estimated at $7,000 to $22,470 or $24,000, depending on calculation method.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale diecast replica of a F-16C Viper chase plane that was assigned to the 6510th Test Wing, then deployed to Edwards Air Force Base, California, during 1990. Pre-order! Ship Date: August 2026.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Chasers" - The 412th Test Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 412th Test Wing was established in 1972 as the 6510th Test Wing, which assumed the flying mission of the Air Force Flight Test Center upon activation. The wing has performed flight testing of fighter, bomber, mobility, and rotary wing aircraft. In addition, the 412th Test Wing has carried out free-flight testing of space vehicles such as the Space Shuttle.

In 1992, the 6510th Wing was consolidated with the 412th Fighter Group, which was activated during World War II as the first unit in the Army Air Forces to fly jet aircraft. It was inactivated in 1946, transferring its fighters and personnel to another unit. The group was again activated in 1955 to provide air defense on the northern border of the United States, inactivating in 1960 as Strategic Air Command assumed control of its base for use by heavy bombers.