Hobby Master HA38006 | F-16C Fighting Falcon USAF, 86-0333, 119th FS, 177th FW, New Yersey ANG, 2016

General Background:

The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

The Aircraft:

The New Jersey ANG F-16C 86-0333 of the 119th FS / 177th FW is affectionately referred to as “Triple Cripple” because of the many Code 3 flights. The aircraft was delivered in 1988 with the 80th TFS. In 1999 the aircraft went to the 523rd FS for 2 years and then to 186th FS before returning to the 523 FS. The next move was to the 124th FS in 2007 before finding its final home in 2013 with the 119th FS / 177th FW, New Jersey ANG, Atlantic City Air National Guard Base.
Definition of Code 3 - Aircraft or system has major discrepancies in mission essential equipment that may require extensive repair or replacement prior to further mission assignment. The discrepancy may not affect safety-of-flight and the aircraft may be Not Mission Capable (NMC) flyable.

General specifications F-16 Fighting Falcon
Primary Function – Multi-role fighter
Manufacturer – General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp.
Initial Unit cost - F-16C/D, $20 million plus
First Deployed - January 1979 (F-16A)
Crew – 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D
Dimensions
Length - 49 ft, 5 in (14.8 m)
Height - 16 ft (4.8 m)
Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in (9.8 m)
Performance
Power Plant - F-16C/D 1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229
or
1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust - F-16C/D / 27,000 lb (12,150 kg)
Speed - 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude)
Ceiling - Above 50,000 ft (15 km)
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 37,500 lb (16,875 kg)
Range - Greater than 2,425 mi (2,100 nm / 3,900 km)
Combat Radius F-16C 851.6 mi (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external tanks 391.3 mi (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external tanks 230.2 mi (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S. gal external tanks
Armament
1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles
Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions
Electronic countermeasure pods.