Hobby Master 1/72 F-16AM: Belgium AF

The Belgian F-16 Solo Display Team for 2015-2017 was piloted by Cdt. Tom "Gizmo" De Moortel from the 31st Squadron "Tigers" based at Kleine-Brogel AB. F-16 FA-123 was given an MLU M6.1 update making it the most modern F-16 in the BAF. As the display aircraft, FA-123 received a new special paint scheme consisting of silver/white markings on a black background on the top of the wings and black markings on a grey/silver background on the bottom. The paint scheme was named "Blizzard" and the callsign Blizzard was assigned.

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.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-16 is constructed using an intelligent mix of diecast metal and plastic, which allows for the greatest possible detail. Among this model's most remarkable features are an articulating hinged opening canopy that closes with almost no visible gap and landing gear that has been constructed as subassemblies for easy configuration. It also includes a large number of pad-printed flight instruments and a rudder and engine intake that are accurately replicated in plastic. The models in this series cover early variants to the most advanced later variants featuring conformal fuel tanks as well as both single and two seat variants.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.