Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon – Wraith, 57th ATG, 64th AGRS, USAF, Nellis AFB, NV, 2020

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3894: Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon #89-2048 Wraith of  57th ATG, 64th AGRS, USAF, Nellis AFB, NV, 2020. Production nrun of800 models.

Length 8.25 inches Wingspan 5.25 inches

Aggressor squadrons are training units established by the United States to help American fighter pilots become better air-to-air combat aviators. These aggressors are trained to act as an opposing force using enemy techniques and tactics. Recently, the USAF 57th Fighter Wing at Nellis Air Force Base showed off their new paint scheme on their newest F-16 Viper that will be used as an aggressor aircraft. To make the choice, Brig. Gen. Robert G. Novotny, commanding officer of the US Air Force 57th Wing, chose an unusual way to determine the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s final paint scheme. Using social media to get the public involved, he allowed it to be determined by letting aviation enthusiasts from around the world vote. The final paint scheme is named “Wraith” and is a flat black color to simulate an unspecified Russian aircraft.

Designed by General Dynamics as a lightweight, daytime USAF air-combat fighter, the F-16 was first flown on January 20th, 1974. This single-engine, supersonic aircraft has, over the years, evolved into a multirole aircraft. It has a frameless bubble canopy-giving its pilot superior visibility-and it uses advanced aerodynamics. The F-16 was one of the first designs to use a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire system, which helps it pull 9-g maneuvers and achieve speeds of more than Mach 2. Called “Viper” by its pilots, the F-16 is considered one of the most successful aircraft designs of the Cold War, with 4,400+ aircraft built since 1976.