Even at the ripe old age of 20, the F-16 Falcon remains a fast and potent favorite among fighter pilots, and one of the best fighters in its class. Designed originally as a no-frills, single-engine "hot rod", the addition of improved radar and weaponry have made the Falcon a super, lightweight jet. Used mainly as a bomber, the Fighting Falcon can also turn-and-burn with unbridled fury when provoked. It is also one of the first operational fly-by-wire aircraft; its flight controls being electronically operated and computer controlled. A 20mm cannon, Maverick missiles, and laser-guided bombs make the F-16 a potent multi-role fighter. However, it's light weight, speed and agility make it the choice of the US Air Force's Thunderbirds aerobatic team.

The F-16C (single seat) and F-16D (two seat) variants entered production in 1984. The first C/D version was the Block 25 with improved cockpit avionics and radar which added all-weather capability with beyond-visual-range (BVR) AIM-7 and AIM-120 air-air missiles. Block 30/32, 40/42, and 50/52 were later C/D versions. The F-16C/D had a unit cost of US$18.8 million (1998). Operational cost per flight hour has been estimated at $7,000 to $22,470 or $24,000, depending on calculation method.

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a US Navy General Dynamics F-16A Viper fighter that is painted in a centennial of Naval Aviation commemorative scheme from 2006-2008. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: October 2023

Historical Account: "Name Game" - The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC, pronounced NAW-DIK) was formerly known as the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC, pronounced "EN-SOCK") at Naval Air Station Fallon located in the city of Fallon in western Nevada. It is the center of excellence for naval aviation training and tactics development. NAWDC provides service to aircrews, squadrons and air wings throughout the United States Navy through flight training, academic instructional classes, and direct operational and intelligence support. The name was changed from NSAWC to NAWDC to align with the naming convention of the Navy's other Warfare Development Centers (including Naval Surface and Mine Warfare Development Center SMWDC and the Undersea Warfare Development Center UWDC.

The NSAWC operates the ex-embargoed F-16s that were to go to Pakistan but ended up being stored in AMARC. Half of the embargoed F-16s went to the USAF and the other half went to the USN. Unlike the previous F-16s operated by the USNavy, there is only one unit. When the F-16s started to arrive, they wore the Pakistani paint schemes and were slowly re-painted in aggressor markings. In total, 14 F-16s were delivered to NAS Fallon.

In 2007, the US Navy was receiving pressure to give up these F-16s to be returned to Pakistan. Several of the embargoed F-16s that the USAF operated were sent to the PAF. The US Navy has not been as eager to give up its vipers. In the recent order by the Pakistani government all the former Peace Gate III/IV aircraft are included. Probably, the USAF examples will be converted to MLU standard first before the US Navy examples have their turn.