Hobby Master 1/72 HA3826 KF-16C Fighting Falcon 93-100, 20th Fighter Wing, ROKAF, April 2020

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.

From 1996-2001 the 120th FS was tasked with training pilots to fly the new KF-16Cs. Over the years the 120th FS has trained over 800 ready to fight pilots. Republic of Korea Air Force operates a total of 180 F-16C/D aircraft. Manufactured as KF-16C Block 52D 93-4100 KC-80 was delivered to the RoKAF as 93-100. In 2016 the aircraft was assigned to the 157th FS/20th FW based at Seosan AB. South Korea has purchased AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-65 Maverick, and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles for its F-16 force.