Hobby Master 1/72 HA38001 Lockheed Martin F-16C 96-0080, 480th FS, Spangdahlem AB, 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.

The 480th FS “Warhawks” was activated in 1957 as 480th FBS. From 1966 until 1971 the 480th F-4C Phantom IIs took part in the Vietnam War and were deactivated in 1971. In 1976 the “Warhawks” were reactivated as part of the 52nd TFW at Spangdahlem AB eventually becoming a “Wild Weasel” unit equipped with F-4Gs. In March 1987 the 480th began to receive the F-16C but deactivated in 1994 only to rise again in 2010 as a “Wild Weasel” squadron. In 2020 F-16C 96-0080 was painted with a “Have Glass V’ special coating to reduce the aircraft radar cross-section.