F16A: The Ferocity of the Fighting Falcon

In the realm of military aviation, very few aircraft have left an indelible mark on the aerospace industry like the F-16A. Developed as a versatile, multi-role fighter jet, the F-16A has played a pivotal role in shaping modern aerial warfare. Read on as we delve into the details of one such iconic aircraft - s/n 80-0542, a General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.  

What is the F-16?

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, more commonly called the Viper, is a single-engine supersonic fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin). It was developed as a lightweight and highly maneuverable combat aircraft capable of engaging in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Equipped with a powerful Pratt & Whitney F100 engine and advanced avionics, the F-16A became a force to be reckoned with in the world of military aviation.

The F-16 was primarily designed for air superiority and air-to-ground missions, making it a formidable multi-role fighter jet. With its exceptional speed, agility, and advanced weapon systems, the F-16A excelled in tasks such as air defense, close air support, interdiction, and suppression of enemy air defenses. It boasted an impressive array of armaments, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs, and a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon.

F-16 Development

First delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, the F-16 garnered widespread adoption, finding its way into the air forces of numerous countries worldwide. It was built under a consortium that included the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. Together, these countries jointly produced the first 348 F-16s for their air forces, assembled from components manufactured in all five countries. Its affordability, reliability, and versatility made it a popular choice among nations seeking a modern and effective fighter jet.

 YF-16 prototype alongside its rival YF-17 Cobra by R.L. House, USAF, Public Domain, Link 

The F-16 originated from the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program of the 1970s, which aimed to create a cost-effective alternative to the heavier and more expensive fighter aircraft of the era. The program emphasized maneuverability, ease of maintenance, and technological advancements. The F-16A was the first production model resulting from this program and featured innovations like a fly-by-wire control system, a bubble canopy for enhanced visibility, and a modular design for ease of maintenance and upgrades.

F-16 Operations

F-16A prepares to refuel from a KC-10, By SSgt Ken Bergmann, USAF - Photo IDDFSD0103662990319F4406B500 Public Domain, Link 

The F-16's operational history spans several significant conflicts, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where it flew more sorties than any other aircraft, attacking airfields, military production facilities, missile sites and other targets. F-16s were also used by the USAF in Operation Allied Force, Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. Its first combat use was by the Israeli Defense Force in April 1981, with many other nations using the F-16 extensively. Its combat performance demonstrated its effectiveness and versatility on the battlefield. The White House announced recently that Ukraine’s forces will be allowed to train on F-16s, and may eventually receive F-16s from the U.S. and its allies.  

Over time, the F-16A has undergone upgrades and modifications, leading to subsequent variants like the F-16B and the more advanced F-16C/D models, with more than 100 different versions of the fighter. Although it was developed to fight by day, it evolved into a highly capable aircraft, with provisions built in for precision strike, night attacks and interception missions. The F-16's legacy lives on as a symbol of excellence in aerial combat, influencing the development of subsequent fighter jets and inspiring generations of pilots.

Watch this video from Lockheed Martin called “F-16 Living Legacy.”

F-16A At A Glance

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: General Dynamics
• Serial #: 80-0542
• Crew: 1
• Wing Span: 32 Ft 9.5 In
• Length: 49 Ft 3.5 In
• Height: 16 Ft 8.5 In
• Armament: 1x M61a1 20mm Six-Barrel Vulcan Cannon, 2x Wingtip Air-To-Air Missiles, And 9x Additional Hardpoints Capable Of Carrying 15,200 Lbs Of Ordinance

Performance:

• Combat Range: 340 Mi
• Cruise Speed: 577 Mph
• Ceiling: 55,000 Ft
• Empty Weight: 16,285 Lbs
• Max Takeoff Weight: 37,500 Lbs
• Rate Of Climb: 62,000 Ft/Min
• Engine: 1x Pratt & Whitney F100-Pw-200 Turbofan

80-0542

80-0542, built as a Block 15 version, was delivered to the USAF on October 24, 1981. For the next 13 years, ‘80542 served with several fighter squadrons.

According to f-16.net, ‘80542 served with the following USAF units:

• Dec 1981 - 313th Tactical Fighter Squadron 'HR' - The squadron received its two brand new F-16 fighters on December 30, 1981, which included ‘80542.  
• Mar 1984  - 388th Tactical Fighter Wing 'HL'  - The 388th TFW at Hill AFB, Utah received its first F-16 on January 6, 1979 and was the first unit to fly the F-16 into conflict with the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
• Mar 1986  - 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron 'HL' - The 421 TFS provided F-16 training for many years, but by the time ‘80542 arrived in 1986, their mission was conventional air-to-ground and attack.  
• Nov 1986 - 57th Fighter Weapons Wing 'WA' - The USAF weapons school at Nellis AFB, Nevada provided training for fighter aircrew and weapons controllers for the F-16 and other aircraft.   
• Feb 1988 - 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron 'MY' - Based at Moody AFB, Georgia, the 70th TFS converted from F-4Es after 12 years of use, to F-16s.  
• Oct 1990 - 171st Tactical Fighter Squadron, a unit of Michigan Air National Guard, based at Selfridge ANGB, Michigan operated the F-16 . During this time, ‘80542 was converted from a Block 15 to a Block 15 ADF, a designation for air defense fighters for the Air National Guard to take over the fighter interceptor mission.    
• Mar 15, 1992 - Now redesignated the 171st Fighter Squadron on this date, ‘80542 remained with the 171st until retirement.       
• Mar 29, 1994 - retired and stored at AMARC

MotoArt Gets An F-16

In 2023, MotoArt owner Dave Hall and the team had the opportunity to meet with the Defense Logistics Agency of the Department of Defense, and were granted approval to create PlaneTags with the F-16 aircraft skin from 80-0542. 

“This is incredible news for not only us, but for PlaneTags collectors and people who would like to own a piece of an F-16,” says Hall. “We appreciate that the D.O.D. sees what we do with PlaneTags as valuable to the preservation of military aircraft history, and as an educational tool or keepsake to share this with the next generations.”

The team obtained the F-16 aircraft skin tags material on site in Arizona and brought it back to the Torrance, CA shop to turn it into PlaneTags. 

Back at the Torrance, California shop, the team worked together to design and create the F-16 PlaneTags.

General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon PlaneTags

The F-16A PlaneTags will be released on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 12pm Pacific Time on planetags.com. The series is numbered to 2,500 and will be available initially in the following colors:

• Exterior Light Gray
• Exterior Grays
• Air Intake White
• Interior Green

Don’t miss these Vipers or any other PlaneTags release. Join our mailing list with your email or phone number to be notified of every release ahead of time. PlaneTags are collectible pieces of aviation history, and the rare ones such as the F-16 will sell out quickly. Don’t risk missing the aircraft of your dreams.

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