Hobby Master 1/72 HA2717 Japan F-2A Jet Fighter 63-8540, ADTW, JASDF, Gifu Airbase, 2019

During the 1980s the U.S. military wasn’t interested in an updated version of the F-16 so they passed on the opportunity. Japan was replacing some of their aging fleet and decided to develop the new F-16 Agile Falcon in cooperation with Mitsubishi and Lockheed Martin. Production began in 1996 with the first aircraft being delivered in 2000. The new aircraft was named the F-2 and soon earned the nickname “Viper Zero”. Although the F-2 looks similar to the original F-16 it is larger in almost every aspect.

Japan F-2A 63-8540 / 540 c/n 1040 was delivered in 2006 and spent time with the 6th Hikotai and the 8th Hikotai before transferring to the Air Development & Test Wing (ADTW), Gifu Air Base. The ADTW is the only unit responsible for testing new systems and aircraft to make certain they meet the high standards demanded by the JASDF. Prior to arriving at ADTW the F-2A was sent for upgrades and improvements and finally arriving at Gifu Air Base on February 13, 2019.