Loading... Please wait...
| Hobby Master 1:72 HA3831A F-16A Netz "124," Giora Epstein, Signature Series - ONLY AT AIKEN`s AIRPLANES! Includes Limited Edition Signature Packet. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale: 1:72 |
Length: 8.25" |
Width: 5.25" |
Composition: Diecast |
SKU: HM-HA3831A |
Period: Modern |
ONLY 250 PIECES WORLDWIDE!
*** (3) left!
Signature Series: An Aiken's Airplanes exclusive!
Mr. Epstein has been so gracious through this whole process and we feel so honored to be able to share his story and bring this rare collectible opportunity to our customer base.
About Giora Epstein:
Colonel Giora "Hawkeye" Epstein, today Giora Even, is a retired colonel in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and a fighter ace credited with 17 kills, 16 against Egyptian jets, making Epstein the "ace of aces" of modern, supersonic fighter jets and of the Israeli Air Force. As the "Ace of Aces" (highest scoring Ace in modern, supersonic jet aircraft, Colonel Epstein will likey hold that title from now on. Epstein was an active IAF pilot from 1963 until 1997, when he retired at age 59. He, like many retired IAF flyers, later worked as captain for El-Al Airlines.
Epstein joined the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in 1956 during the Suez War. He was initially rejected from flight school because of a heart condition and began his military career as a paratrooper. While traveling with the IDF's parachute demonstration team, Epstein changed his last name to Even ("stone" in Hebrew). He left the IDF in 1959 before returning two years later to again apply for flight school.
After gaining medical clearance (mostly through his own stubbornness), Epstein began fighter training. He soon gained the nickname "Hawkeye" due to his extraordinary eyesight. Epstein was allegedly able to spot aircraft at a distance of 24 miles (44 km) — nearly three times further than a normal pilot.
Epstein's first kill came on June 6, 1967 during the Six Day War, when he downed an Egyptian Sukhoi-7 at El Arish. During the War of Attrition in 1969–70, Epstein downed a MiG-17, another Sukhoi-7 and two MiG 21s. The rest of his kills came during 1973's Yom Kippur War. Between October 18 and 20, 1973, he downed an Mi-8helicopter and eight jets: two Sukhoi-7s, two Sukhoi-20s and four MiG 21s. Then, on October 24, 1973, Epstein downed three more MiG-21s west of the Great Bitter Lake. Eight of these victories were with the French-builtMirage III, a delta wing fighter designed primarily as a high altitude interceptor. His other nine victories came in an IAI Nesher, an Israeli-built version of the Mirage 5. Five of his claims were downed using air-to-air missiles, the rest with cannon.
After the Yom Kippur War, Epstein received the Medal of Distinguished Service, one of Israel's highest military honors. He went on to command Mirage and Kfir squadrons and was flying "ready" missions in the F-16 up until his 60th birthday. After retiring from the IAF, Epstein became a captain for El-Al Airlines.
Epstein was the primary subject of the "Desert Aces" episode of The History Channel series Dogfights. The episode first aired on August 10, 2007.
Historical Note:
The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirolefighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.
The Fighting Falcon has key features including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.
In addition to active duty U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations.
Info: F-16A Netz "124," Giora Epstein, Squadron 140, IAF, Ramon Air Base, May 20, 1997 - Signature Series
Posted by Marighnamani Kant Singh on 26th Oct 2021
Col. Giora Epstein is a gentleman who doesn't need any introduction. If you are an aviation nut like me, you have definitely heard of this unique person. Giora Epstein has his name among the highest scoring aces from the around world. With his extraordinary eyesight of spotting bandits from around 44-45 kms away, he was even one step ahead of his aircraft's onboard radar system lol!
This is a MUST HAVE model for any collector. The signature package, which is only available at Aiken's is absolutely outstanding! I have Giora's Mirage III as well and his F-16A will be the perfect compliment. The model came in very fast and delivered to me in pristine condition. I will definitely recommend this to any collector. Thank you so much for this phenomenal model and service guys, keep up the awesome work!!
Regards from India.
Posted by Jokin on 8th Jul 2021
First of all I want to say I received this model extremely fast! I ordered it on a Thursday evening from Belgium, Europe. The order was processed half an hour later. The next day it arrived in France and on Monday noon it was at my door! It was really well packed as well. So super happy with the service!
I also took advantage of the 50% discount on this so it was a no brainer to buy this excellent model that comes with a signature of the ace of aces! I just love that bad-ass Israeli camo scheme and history!
I highly recommend buying from Aiken!
Posted by Alf on 5th Nov 2018
The die-cast details are simply amazing. The pilots sigmoid excellent and pairs nicely with the die-cast.
Posted by Jeffery Powell on 27th Sep 2015
This model is typical Hobby Master with great attention to detail and excellent quality for the value. The best part of this is getting Giora Epstein Even's signature. He's the top jet ace of all time with 17 confirmed kills. For the price you pay you get the quality and history! Couldn't pass it up!
Posted by Lauren Buck on 23rd Sep 2015
Even though the F-16 was not Epsrein favorite plane, it is a nice representation of the last fighter aircraft this great "Ace" flew. The colors are accurate and sharp, the details well done!
I liked the autograph in felt pen on the metal plate. The certificate of authenticity is nice, even though not numbered and the picture of him sitting in his F-16 is great. The model itself is a little fragile, but with great care you can put it into land or air mode (minus it's mid tank). The Stand is very sturdy and practical. Over all, it is a nice collectors item.
I would recommend this historic representation for anyone who has a reverence for the Pilots and Crews of The IAF.
Posted by R Baker on 23rd Sep 2015
This is a very good model. What makes it special is the limited edition and the pilot that flew the plane. Knowing his history makes this model even more desirable.
For collectors the model comes well packaged and can be viewed without opening the box. For those who want to display it, the model has all you need except a dust cover. That can be added later.
Nice plane and as always a pleasure to do business with Aiken's Airplanes.
Posted by Jeff Bassett on 18th Sep 2015
Hobby Master has released 5 IAF F-16 models with this piece and they have done another great job with this model. The colors are accurate and the paint details are very sharp. You can't go wrong getting any of these models however, this is the only IAF model to have the signature and what a historic signature it is. The highest modern ace pilot in the world.
Aikens has enclosed the extras of a photo and certificate of guarantee of authenticity which goes above and beyond way HM has ever produced for the aviation collectibles. For these models, it does not get any better than this for aviation collectibles on the market, a super display piece for any collection.
