Modelling reports by Meindert de Vreeze

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- Tamiya kit F-16 modelling Report here......
- Academy F-16CG modelling Report....
- Academy F-16I SUFA two seater (checkout here)
- Academy conversion to a F-16B KLu ORANGE JUMPER...
- Revell : check here for conversion to a Japanese F-2...
- Tips for converting Tamiya Thunderbird into a F-16A
- modelling F-16C Thunderbirds using the Hasegawa kit

Check out my F-16 custom decals pages: 1/32 scale and 1/144 scale

ABOUT THE F-16

The first YF-16 flew 30 years ago in January 1974 and since that time the F-16 has appeared in many sub-variants. I will not go into too much detail on the history and technical details, on the internet many sources can be found . 

For the F-16 the Block number is the main indicator of the type of the F-16 airframe, as several distinct variants of the aircraft are covered by the same model suffix letter. For example, while Block 32 and Block 50 are vastly different subtypes, both are F-16Cs. Early F-16As were produced to Block 1, 5 and 10 and 15 standards. Various modification standards within the same block numbers are identified by an added letter e.g. for example Block 15A, 15B etc.

F-16A/B
The F-16A (single seater ) /B (two seater) appeared first as the blocks 1, 5, 10 and 20. 
It started with the Block 1 and Block 5 F-16s built between mid-1978 and 1981. Most of these were later upgraded as Block 10. The first F-16 subtypes were equipped with the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine, the original small intake (normal shock inlet) and had small horizontal stabilizers. They had the standard vertical tail fairing USAF style without parachute pack. 

Block 15 introduced two new hard points under the inlet chin and larger stabilizers with around 30% more area; this was done by extending the trailing edge. These were provided to improve directional stability while carrying loads on the new hard points. Provision was also made for AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles (AAM). 

Various European NATO countries ordered the type early on like The Netherlands and Belgium, Norway, Denmark (many made under license by Fokker in The Netherlands).

Many Block 15 aircraft later received an Operational Capability Upgrade (OCU), adding a data transfer cartridge, a radar altimeter and various radar enhancements. Systems also enabled the use of the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground (AGM) missile, AGM-119 Penguin anti-shipping-missile (ASM for Norway) and AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) with their LAU-129 launchers. The first Block 15 OCU built as such was delivered in January 1988. Blocks 15 built from 1988 were powered by the F100-PW-220 and had a larger head-up display (HUD) in addition to the OCU modifications. The US  Air National Guard started to use in 1980 the Block 15 for Air Defense. It was called the ADF version, with the AN/APG-66A radar. It also had new internal systems and externally a spot illumination light mounted on the port side of the forward fuselage nose. The IFF antennas in front of the canopy are fitted on a raised "bolted on" panel and this can be seen. 
ADF had a short career but Italy leased (under PEACE CEASAR) to cope with Eurofighter program delays some 34 aircraft as a intermediate period from 2007 - 2012 form the USA. 

(Some F-16 used by particular air forces had also a illumination light on the nose, below the RHAWS fairing; for the Norwegian it is on the left side, for the Greece F-16C's on the right side). 

Belgian F-16's also had their own ECM system, the Rapport III with not a parachute in the tail fairing but an ECM box. Later, this system was replaced by the Carapace system as Rapport did not function. 

Block 20 was for Taiwan under the PEACE Fenghuang program, with the AN/APG-66(v) 2 radar and locally sourced IFF and other equipment. The aircraft were "similar" to the initial European Mid Life Update (MLU) configuration, which Lockheed Martin also refers to as Block 20.

F-16C/D
The Block 25 F-16 came in 1984 and was referred to as F-16C/D (C for single seater, D for two seater) and delivered to the USAF. Capable of using the AIM-120 AMRAAM with their LAU-129 launchers with a new AN/APG-68 radar with increased range and better resolution with on the the nose cone streamlined anti-lightning strips fitted. New systems needed space that was created by a thicker vertical tail base with a longer dorsal fin with an easily  recognizable antenna fitted. 

The cockpit received two head-down multi-function displays, new up-front controls, a larger HUD, data transfer unit, radar altimeter and jam resistant UHF radio. Panellines are slightly different at some locations. Powered initially by the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200, this was later generally substituted for the F100-PW-220E version. On many aircraft the AN/APX-113 IFF system was introduced which is distinguishable through the 4 IFF antennas in front of the canopy (called "bird slicers"). On later Block 25 and future F-16 Blocks at the wing leading edge a pair of RHAW antennas were fitted ("beer cans") on the C/D (also retrofitted on many earlier manufactured C/D aircraft). Two chaff dispensers were also fitted on the lower fuselage fairing next to the stabilizers with 2 extra ones from Fiscal Year 87 and later Block 30 and 32.    
 

Block 30 came around 1987 and introduced for the first time a new more powerful engine for the F-16: the General Electric F110-GE-100 that required more air so a larger intake "Big Mouth" MCID "modular common inlet duct") was fitted to cope with a larger air mass to provide its full thrust at lower altitudes. The throttle on the left console is also slightly different than on previous versions. Because of the larger overall aircraft weight, thicker wider wheels were used and that required bulged main wheel doors with a slight bump. The 2 main gear landing lights were moved and situated as on some earlier blocks in a single unit inside the nose gear door.  

The thicker vertical tail base got some additional vents: one on each side at the kink and one midway on top of the base leading edge aft of the larger antenna. And a vent-intake on the right side below the rear cockpit glass. Often, also two additional chaff flare dispensers were fitted on the left lower fuselage fairing next to the stabilizers aft of the wing trailing edge. These were extra as to the two already in place.  

Some strengthening modifications were also often done with two extra metal re-enforcement stiffener or called "scab" plates on each side of the tail base next to the antenna and two wing strengthening plates at the upper wing roots. Often also on the nose 2 small RAM nose side panels were installed below the IFF "bird slicers". 

F-16N and TF-16N built for the US Navy were derivatives of the F-16C/D Block 30 type. They were used as dissimilar air combat trainers, and though simplified aircraft have a beefed-up structure and no cannon. F-16N's were operated between 1987 and 1994 in the USA.  

The Pratt and Whitney F100 and General Electric F110 engines became now choices for future Blocks:  those ending on "0" featuring the General Electric engine and those ending on "2 " the Pratt and Whitney engine.

Block 32 retained the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine with what became termed as the "normal shock inlet" (the standard older intake) but now got the uprated Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220. (The USAF Thunderbirds also used that Block for the demonstration team but without armament such as the gun and with a fuel smoke pipe below the exhaust). Externally, some vents and chaff flare dispensers were standard as well as the few strengthening stiffener plates as introduced on the Block 30 (see above). On the nose 2 small RAM nose side panels were installed below the IFF "bird slicers".

Block 30/32 aircraft could use a wider range of weapons, like the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). Self defense was improved from the introduction of the Block 30D by doubling the number of chaff/flare dispensers carried. 
NOTE: early F-16's before and up to block 30 have at the slat at the inboard position only "2" slat rotating fingers. Later block beyond block 30 F-16 have there "3" fingers.

Block 40/42 "Night Falcon". 
The Block 40/42 F-16s were also officially designated as either F-16C for single-seaters, or as F-16D for two-seaters. A proposal to re-designate US Air Force examples as F-16G and H's was rejected, but led to the adoption of the informal F-16CG and F-16DG. The F-16CG/DG Block 40 has the General Electric F110-GE-100 engine and the Block 42 the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine. (It was proposed that the Block 50/52 would become the F-16J and F-16K (two-seater), resulting in the commonly used F-16CJ and F-16DJ description for those versions). 

The newer Block 40/42 aircraft appeared 1988 and were "night" capable planes with various targeting systems and pods. For example the LANTIRN (Low Altitude, Navigation and Targeting, Infra-Red for Night) pod, consisting of the AN/AAQ-13 with a FLIR (forward looking infrared) and terrain following radar for navigation and AN/AAQ-14 with infra-red imager and laser range finder for targeting. Cockpits were mostly black to improve pilot vision. (The designation added to the Block no. "+" was often also used to indicate targeting systems capability). 

Pods were mounted under the starboard/right and port/left side chin hard points respectively. On the lower nose aft of the radar nose and in front of the large air intake the panel lines are also slightly different as well as near the arrestor hook area. There is also a small intake on the right side about 1 foot aft of the main gear bay. Four sets of ALE-47 chaff dispensers were fitted to the lower fuselage fairings, a pair aft of the wing trailing edge and 2 x 1 next to stabilizers controlled by the AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning System (which was also standard on the Block 50/52 and later retrofitted to all US F-16C/Ds).   

The undercarriage was also strengthened and extended to provide adequate clearance for the pods and the carriage of extensive air-to-ground munitions, including the Raytheon Paveway laser-guided family. These also resulted in thicker main "with different hub" wheels and again the"bulged" main landing gear doors to accommodate these in the bays. The 2 main gear landing lights were moved and situated as on some earlier blocks in a single unit inside the nose gear door. 

Avionics had also been substantially been improved. In the cockpit a larger GEC-Marconi wide-angle, holographic HUD portrayed data provided by the LANTIRN system in addition to basic flight information. An improved AN/APG-68V radar was introduced and a GPS receiver (a flat circular panel seen on the spine). On the nose radar cone the anti-lightning streamlined strips were also fitted. An AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare dispenser was added. In front of the port/left main gear bay a different wider and larger ECS exhaust is also fitted for better cooling the systems.

 
Strengthening plates on the Block 40/42 comprised two plates next to the tail base fronts and 8 "finger" style plates on the upper mid fuselage section. 

Israel received F-16D Block 40 aircraft as a specialized precision strike and suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) aircraft, with a weapon systems officer in the rear seat. A long, box-shaped dorsal spine accommodated extra avionics, believed to be an ELISRA electronic warfare system. Additionally some of its two-seat Block 30 aircraft have also received the modification, while all of the F-16I  were built with it as standard. 
A similar external modification was incorporated on some Singaporean F-16D Block 52s, and the Chilean and Polish two-seaters.

Block 50/52 F-16C/D were derived from the SEAD. Beginning 1993 the Block 50D and Block 52D planes were delivered, also referred to as the F-16CJ / DJ capable for Wild Weasel tasks. As delivered to the US Air Force they did not have the LANTIRN capability and fitted with a lighter HUD, but capable of carrying and firing the AGM-88 HARM. They introduced the AN/APG-68 (v) 5 radar with new capability and the 4 IFF antennas in front of the canopy (called "bird slicers"). Also in the mostly black finished cockpit the pilot could use night vision goggles. 

The structure was strengthened as standard so no external re-enforment stiffening plates are seen on the mid fuselage and wing roots. There is on the Block 50 / 52 also a differently shaped "L shaped" panel line on right side of the fuselage spine below the air-to-air refuelling receptable door.

As noted earlier different engines were used: Block 50 got the General Electric F110-GE-129 and the block 52 got the uprated Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. This can also be seen externally with slightly different engine exhaust types with their plates/ vanes. Again the stronger main gear was used as standard with thicker wheels that now had a different wheel hub with "12 holes" and the "bulged" main wheel doors. And the landing lights moved and situated in a single unit inside the nose gear door. 

On the right cockpit side a small vent is seen as well as a small inlet on top of the intake/vent on the left side. On the thick base vertical tail again some additional vents: one on each side at the kink and one midway on top of the base leading edge aft of the larger antenna.

Later these types were also capable of using the AN/ASQ213 HARM Targeting System pod and able to fire AGM-84 Harpoon ASMs. While not a feature of USAF Block 50/52, those ordered by overseas customers could be equipped to carry LANTIRN pods. Externally, now 2 plus a pair of chaff flare dispensers were standard as introduced on the Block 30 (see above).  

In addition to the Fort Worth production line, F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft have been built in South Korea ("KF-16") and Turkey. Poland and Greece also now operate the type but there are slight variations. Pakistan also has the type but with French sensor pods (though probably receiving US systems later on).

Program CCIP upgraded about 650 F-16s to a common standard, and work commenced in September 2001 in several phases on the Block 50 and 52 and the Block 40 / 42 to allow the many systems and weapons to be used. (see below). 

Block 60 "Desert Falcon" first flew end 2003 and was at that time the most advanced type. Block 60 single- and two-seaters were designated as F-16E and F and based on the F-16C/D Block 50 and 52. The Block 60 got a new engine, the F110-GE-132.

Conformal fuel tanks (CFT) can be installed on top of the mid-fuselage adding around 375 Imp gal (1,705 lit) of extra fuel with little effect on flying qualities. It thus has much larger take-off weights (so wider wheels and bulged main doors) and stronger structures. 

New systems include also new avionics and the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA); this is an agile beam radar, providing a massive leap in capability even when compared to the latest AN/APG-68(V)9. The radar is mounted in a pitot tube-less radome, with three fuselage-mounted pitots. The cooling system required by the radar is mounted in the enlarged ventral tail fairing in the single-Beaters and the dorsal spine of two-seaters. (The spine also houses the engine start controller, data link radio, 'blackbox' crash data recorder, electronic warfare receiver, aft transmitter and chaff/flare dispensers.). 
Block 60 type also has a Northrop Grumman AN/ASQ-28 Integrated FLIR and Targeting System (IFTS). This IFTS consists of a FLIR mounted on the nose and a small targeting pod attached on the port side of the inlet.
The pilot can use night vision goggles and the cockpit has three large displays with its main colours being black for night flying. The Falcon Edge electronic warfare suite comprises onboard jammers and even a towed decoy. 

F-16V
This "Viper" version first flew October 2015 and and Singapore was the buyer of this new version (along with later Block 52). It has a completely new SABR radar set with the CAPES suite. Later it became the F-16 Block 70/72. It is usually fitted with the new Martin Baker US-18E ejection seat (in stead of the Collins ACES II). The F110-GE-129 is used on the Block 70 and the F100-PW-229 for the Block 72. It has an active AESA radar, IRST system and other new systems and new Center Pedetal Display. Conformal fuel tanks are used as well. Several countries ordered this version.

QF-16
This is remotely piloted unmanned F-16 obtained from spare stocks tested in 2013.

Upgrading various F-16 blocks
Alongside new production aircraft several different upgrade programs have been implemented on existing F-16s, the most important being the Mid Life Update (MLU) in several phases and the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). So existing F-16 airframes were upgraded for various air forces.  

Starting in 1992 , the MLU upgrade was an European true multi-national program (EPAF) intended to gave the type a true all weather and night capability. Many of the older European F-16 aircraft using in NATO air forces (including F-16A "block 15" KLu RNLAF planes) were updated. These European F-16A/Bs including those of the RNeth AF (KLu) were re-designated as F-16AM/BM following modification. The MLU upgrade was done in several phases during the years from M1 to M5. 

First stages of the MLU involved the refurbishment of older F-16 Block 15s with a cockpit similar to the Block 50/52, with an upgraded radar and capable for the AIM-120 AMRAAM with their different LAU-129 launchers (also on the wing tips). Update includes a new computer, a better radar  (APG-66v2) including multi-target locking; complete re-design of the cockpit main instrument panels (a.o. new full-color MFDs and a larger HUD) and cockpit colours are more black, with new style flight stick and two larger displays. They retained the small main air intake and Pratt and Whitney F100 engine.

Strengthening was also done with stiffening re-enforcement plates on most MLU upgrades that comprised two plates next to the tail base fronts and 8 "finger" style plates on the upper mid fuselage section (similar to the Block 40/ 42). 

CCIP upgraded about 650 F-16s to a common standard, and work commenced in September 2001. The other main parts of the airframe were unchanged so still the normal intake, engine and original wheels. But the landing lights moved from the main gear to a single unit at the nose gear door and night vision goggles were often used as well (so the lights avoid blinding the pilot). 

In phase M3 (about 2004) are an advanced IFF system (the 4 antennas "bird slicers" seen in front of the canopy; note that these may vary for other versions where the fairings are on a "raised" panel like on Korean and Turkish F-16's). Also an IDM Improved Data Modem, a DTS  Digital Terrain System, and capabilities for satellite navigation, Night Vision Goggles (and thus the darker painted cockpit inside areas), FLIR  (forward-looking  infrared), all-weather defense and bombing (including full IFR and night  capabilities), BVR Beyond Visual range air combat (AIM-120 AMRAAM), approaching missile detection, anti-radiation, and laser targeting for high-accuracy bombing. The MARS (medium altitude recon system) was also introduced. Also the Pratt and Whitney engines were uprated to PW220 standard. 

MLU phase M4 (around 2006) introduced a new computer with better software that enables latest generation AIM-9L and AIM-9X and IRIS-T missiles to be fired with the LAU-129 launchers. Phase M5 of 2009 introduced a better precision navigation system and better capabilities for weapons like the GBU-49.

Also in 2009 the MARS can be replaced by the Recce-Lite (RL) recon system with infrared sensors. The pilot also received the JHMCS (joint helmet mounted cueing system) that projects information on a helmet screen for the pilot which is visible with a small "T shaped" bar on the left inside canopy frame.    

MLU M6 started 2012 introduced a better IFF.  
 
Other upgrades
The latest options are upgrades to Block 50+/52+.  The greatest advance of the "+ " came in the form of the radar, the AN/APG-68(v)9 and the night fighting and bad weather capability to used targeting pods and guided weapons. Other options for Block 50+/52+  include helmet-mounted cueing systems.

Customers can choose their own configuration depending on their requirements, resulting in considerable differences between aircraft built for different countries. Greece's Peace Xenia IV aircraft incorporate around a 30% structural change from the original US Air Force Block 50/ 52 examples, while the Israeli F-16I (see below) have a similar percentage difference from the Greek aircraft, as they are optimized for the long-range strike role with enlarged spines. 

Conformal Fuel tanks (CFT) can be fitted on top of the centre fuselage as well as the standard external tanks carried on wing pylons.

For lower radar visibility RAM techniques were also introduced. Some F-16 Blocks have a RAM panel on the nose and near the wing trailing edges. Also various "tinted" transparent coatings are used on the canopy. Large variations are seen: sometimes unchanged, applied in a tinted sheen and on double seaters forward and rear canopy sections RAM tinted or not. Tint colours seen were transparent brown, orange, yellow and all shades in between! Even on F-16's within a single squadron. These RAM upgrades were also used on many NATO air forces' MLU upgraded F-16's. 

Other RAM techniques are the usage of special paint called "HAVE GLASS" particularly on USAF Block 50 F-16's. The paint adds metallic hue to the basic grey F-16 colours. 
  

F-16I SUFA
The F-16I nicknamed "Sufa" (Storm) was manufactured by "Lockheed Martin" (which took over General Dynamics) and equipped with a Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 (IPE) engine. Numerous modifications were made with advanced systems developed in Israel according to the IAF's specifications by the country's defense industries. SUFA (Hebrew for "storm") is based on current Block 50/52 production aircraft. The F-16I has a 23,600-kilogram take-off weight, considerably more than the earlier F-16s in IAF service, and is armed with the AMRAAM air-to-air missile. 

The SUFA has several features like:
- Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) manufactured by the  "Israel Aircraft Industries"  and which increase amount of internal fuel by 50%. The tanks are installed one the plane's upper fuselage and conform to it's figure.
- AGP-68(V)X Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that enables the tracking of ground targets day or night, at any type of weather. 
- Modernized cockpit is for the pilot and the rear cockpit is configured for the weapons systems operator or, with the change of a single switch, for a pilot instructor. System are a wide angle head up display from Elop and high definition (120ppi) 4in x 4in colour multi-function displays supplied by Astronautics CA of Petah Tikva, Israel. Other new features include a colour moving map display, digital video recording equipment, cockpit lighting and external strip lighting compatible with night vision goggles and a high capacity data transfer set. A Helmet Mounted Cueing System of Israeli design is extra to the goggles which F-16I pilots and navigators wear. 
- Dorsal spine Avionics Compartment aft of the canopy with advanced electronic warfare systems developed in Israel. These systems are improved models based on those installed in the F-15I. The aircraft features advanced Israeli communication systems as well.
- capability for larger 600-gallon wing tanks improving the aircraft's range and persistence. The tanks are mounted on unejectable supports (which looks a bit odd).
- satellite communication of Elta and Rafael, including a UHF radio with new encoding methods and long distance relay capabilities.
- capability to use special weapons like the Python missile and equipment like the Litening II pod. This is a targeting and navigation pod that presents pilots with real-time, Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) imagery. The LANTIRN pod can also be used. 

The F-16I SUFA made its maiden flight in December 2003 with first aircraft delivered to the IAF at the Ramon Air Base, in February 2004. 

April 2012, the 4,500 F-16 'th was delivered (being a Moroccan F-16C Block 52). The F-16 has been delivered to dozens of countries and large numbers are still operated. In the NATO countries many of the F-16's will be replaced by the Lockheed F-35 JSF starting in 2018. 
Deliveries of advanced F-16's continue, though at a limited pace in various "Peace" programs to US Allies...

See also the references below and F-16.net for more actual real plane F-16 data....

See 1/32 kit list above
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Back to 1/32 models
  

MY WALK AROUND REAL F-16 PAGE

Great site here:   www.F-16.net

Check WikiPedia for the various operators... 

For Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu) F-16 info look at the IPMS Nederland info pages here...

A very good REFERENCE is the Daco book : 
“Uncovering the Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B/C/D” with many many pictures…. (note: drawings are not accurate in all areas)