In 2012, Taiwan signed a $3.7 Billion contract with Lockheed Martin to upgrade a total of 144 F-16A/B Block 20s to the latest F-16 Block 72 variant (F-16V), for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). As each aircraft is completes the upgrade process, it is test-flown with refurbished parts still wearing their protective yellow primer. Once signed-off, it heads to the paint shop to receive its standard operational gray paint-scheme.

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.

Info: F-16V Fighting Falcon - ROCAF, #6666, Taiwan, Phoenix Rising Upgrade Program