The F-16 was a quantum leap for US forces. At last, here was a small and powerful multi-role fighter that was fun to fly and easy to maintain. Crew Chiefs around the USAF could hardly wait to turn in their maintenance-intensive Phantoms and F-106s for something that would give them more free time! The F-16 has gone on to prove itself as a very capable aircraft and one that seems will be in production just a few years more. The 4,000th F-16 was recently built for Egypt and more are on the way for a number of foreign countries. It seems to have the right balance of abilities and cost effectiveness to keep it in demand. While the F-16A is all but gone from the USAF/ANG/Reserve inventory, there are plenty of F-16Cs still around to keep squadrons supplied with airframes.

This particular Microscale sheet is one of the first ones for the F-16A and offers a choice of 12 different aircraft! Not really that surprising when one considers how small a 1/72 F-16 is and that most changes in markings are limited to serial number, tail code and a tail band! There are enough common markings to do three of the subjects on the sheet and this includes insignia.

I could easily go aircraft by aircraft, but that is not really needed. There are schemes for both the F-16A and the two seat F-16B from three wings.

The first wing is the 388th TFW from Hill AFB. This single aircraft is the second production F-16A, 78-002

The 474 TFW at Nellis AFB provides half of the markings. One each for the 428th, 429th, and 430th TFS as well as the wing commander's aircraft and a couple of F-16Bs. The 474 TFW is now gone, but some of its squadrons still fly F-16s at Cannon AFB in New Mexico.

Finally, the 8th TFW at Kusan, Korea. There is one scheme for an F-16A and one for an F-16B.

The suggested kit is the Italeri/Testors version, but those wanting a proper F-16A will undoubtedly be using that from Hasegawa.

Review copy courtesy of me and my now empty wallet!

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 1,100 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.