Academy 12123 USAF F-16CG/CJ Fighting Falcon 1/32

£74.00
MRP £79.99

This product is no longer available.
(Product Ref 52185)
Have a question about this product? Let us know
F-16 Fighting Falcon was developed as a result of the Lightweight Fighter Program announced in January 1971. As part of this program two General Dynamics YF-16 prototypes were built and they competed against Northrop?s YF-17 planes. On January 13th 1975 YF-16 has been announced as the winner of the contest, which in the meantime was renamed to Air Combat Fighter (ACF). The first F-16A / Full Scale Development aircraft was flown on December 8th, 1976 and the first operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Since its first flight Fighting Falcon, also known unofficially as Viper, is constantly modernized and updated. Those modifications however are not clearly reflected in a version number, as only recently the E and F models were introduced and all previous single-seat models were carrying A and C designations (B and D for two-seaters respectively). This is why it is very important to note the block production number, as in case of F-16 it is most important information to properly identify features of the variant.
F-16A/Bs were built in five blocks: 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20. The F-16C/D designation was introduced with block 25. Beginning with Block 30 new engines were installed in Vipers. All previous variants were powered by Pratt & Whitney F100 engines and Block 30 aircraft were first F-16s equipped with General Electric F110 engine. 75% of new Vipers produced for US Air Force were Block 30 GE-powered machines, but remaining 25% still had PE engines - these machines were known as Block 32. After the introduction of Block 30 aircraft to service it became obvious that the air consumption of GE engine, which was significantly higher than this of PE engine, necessitated in redesign of air intake. Beginning with sub-block 30D larger, so called ?big mouth?, air intake was installed. Subsequent production blocks maintained similar designation convention, where block 40 and 50 aircraft were powered by GE engines and featured large intakes, while block 42 and 52 planes were PE-powered and had small intakes. Block 40/42 aircraft introduced in 1989 were known also as Night Falcons (unofficially designated F-16CG/DG) because of their enhanced night/all-weather capabilities achieved by installation of LANTIRN pods. One feature only present in Block 40/42 aircraft is a Wide Angle Raster (WAR) HUD capable of displaying sensor imagery. Block 50/52 feature, among other updates, upgraded radar and Improved Performance Engines, the F110-GE-129 for the Block 50 or the F100-PW-229 for the Block 52. But the HUD in Block 50/52 aircraft is the same standard device as in all F-16 prior to Block 40.
In May 1993 deliveries of Block 50D/52D began. These aircraft, unofficially known as F-16CJ/DJ have added capabilities, which allow them to perform Wild Weasel (SEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defense and DEAD - Destruction of Enemy Air Defense) missions thanks to a full integration of HARM missile avionics/Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC) and associated systems / pods. All but the earliest Block 50 planes have been upgraded to Block 50D standard.
Have a question about this product? Let us know
Related Products
Revell Contacta Pro Polystyrene Glue Large 25ml 39604
£5.00