Hobby Master 1/72 HA3815 Lockheed F-16C Thunderbirds, No.1 Aircraft, 2010
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 Thunderbirds Aerobatic Team began using the F-16 in 1983. Their main aircraft was the F-16A Block 15 and 2 training F-16B Block 15 until the end of 1991 when they transitioned to the newer F-16C/D Block 32. These F-16C/Ds were manufactured in 1986 and 1987 and were some of the oldest operational F-16s in the USAF when they were retired in 2008. For the 2009 show season the Thunderbirds transitioned to 9 updated F-16Cs Block 52 and 3 F-16Ds Block 52.