Hobby Master 1/72 HA3870 Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon 505, 343 Sqn. Asteri, 115 Combat Wing, Crete

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.

Hellenic Air Force F-16C-52 was production number 99-1505, line number XK-6 with HAF serial 505 and assigned to 343 Mira Asteri (Star) Squadron. Along with its sister squadron 340 Mira both are assigned to 115 Combat Wing based at Souda AB on the island of Crete. 340 was the first squadron to receive the new 52 Block version of the F-16 while 343 was the second. Although these squadrons are multi-tasked their main priority is a strong presence in the Aegean Region.