Just as the Air National Guard of 20 years ago was based on the F-4 Phantom II for most of its tactical jet assets, so today the F-16 fills that role. The Phantom had the F-106 for some roles and the Falcon has the Eagle to assist (though some may think it the other way around).

This sheet contains two Guard units, one from Texas, the 182 FS/149 FW with the SA tail code, and the other from South Carolina, the 169 FS/169 FW, which used to use the SC tail code, but has reverted to the state name as it was when they first got the F-16A way back when.

Both of these aircraft are 'boss birds', so named as they are assigned to the commanding officers of the various wings and so are generally painted a bit more colorfully than the norm.

The Texas bird is an F-16C-30 from the 87 build year and has the large intake and GE engine. The South Carolina Falcon is an F-16C-52 from the 93 build year and has the small intake and Pratt & Whitney engine. Both are in the simplified scheme of FS 36118 upper and 36270 undersides with the radome in a possible variety of shades.

The sheet includes insignia for both and data markings for one aircraft. The recommended kit is from Hasegawa.

February 2006

Review copy courtesy of . Thanks for your support.