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Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-16>HA3830

Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon 91-0389, 55th FS/20th FW, Aviano AB, Italy March 2011 "Operation Unified Protector"
HA3830
General Background
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.
The Aircraft
"Operation Unified Protector" saw NATO tasked to enforce a UN resolution protecting the citizens of Libya from dictator Gaddafi during the Libyan civil war in 2011. The 55th FS/20th FW operating from Aviano AB, Italy was one unit assigned to take part. The 77th FS mission wasn't against Libyan ground forces but as "Wild Weasels" they were to locate and destroy Libyan IADs (Integrated Air Defense System). F-16CJ 91-0389 was delivered to the USAF 363rd FW in November 1993 before going to the 78th FS in April 1994 and eventually to the 55th FS in October 2004.
Specifications :
Role: Multi-role fighter
Manufacturer : General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp
Initial Unit cost : F-16C/D, $20 million plus
First Deployed : January 1979
(F-16A)Crew : 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D
Power Plant : F-16C/D
1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or
1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust : F-16C/D / 27,000 lb (12,150 kg)
Length: 49 ft, 5 in (14.8 m)
Wingspan 32 ft 8 in (9.8 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 (15 km)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 lb (16,875 kg)
Range: Greater than 2,425 mi (2,100 nm / 3,900 km)
Combat Radius: F-16C 851.6 mi (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external tanks
391.3 mi (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external tanks
230.2 mi (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S. gal external tanks
Armament: 1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles
Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions
Electronic countermeasure pods.