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Introduction
The first YF-16 flew 30 years ago in January 1974 and since that time the F-16 has appeared in many sub-variants. I will not go into too much detail on the history and technical details, on the internet many sources can be found . 

For the F-16 the Block number is the main indicator of the type of the F-16 airframe, as several distinct variants of the aircraft are covered by the same model suffix letter. For example, while the Block 32 and Block 50 are vastly different subtypes, both are F-16Cs. Early F-16As were produced to Block 1, 5 and 10 and 15 standards. Various modification standards within the same block numbers are identified by an added  letter e.g  for example Block 15A. 15B etc.

F-16A/B
The F-16A (single seater ) /B (twoseater) appeared first as the blocks 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20. 
It started with the Block 1 and Block 5 F-16s built between mid-1978 and 1981. Most of these were later upgraded as Block l0. The first F-16 subtypes were equipped with the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine. 

Block 15 introduced two new hardpoints under the inlet chin. and larger fins, with around 30% more area, were provided to improve directional stability while carrying loads on the new hardpoints. Provision was also made for AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles (AAM). 
Many Block 15 aircraft later received an Operational Capability Upgrade (OCU), adding a data transfer cartridge, a radar altimeter and various radar enhancements. Systems also enabled the usage of the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground (AGM) missile, AGM-119 Penguin anti-shipping-missile (ASM) and AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The first Block 15 OCU built as such was delivered in January 1988. Blocks 15 built from 1988 were powered by the F100-PW-220 and had a larger head-up display (HUD) in addition to the OCU modifications. The US  Air National Guard started to use in 1980 the Block 15 for Air Defense. It was called the ADF version, with the AN/APG-66A radar. It also had new internal systems and externally a spotlight mounted on the port side of the forward fuselage nose. ADF's had a short career. 

Block 20 was for Taiwan under the Peace Fenghuang programme, with the AN/APG-66(v) 2 radar and locally sourced IFF and other equipment. The aircraft were "similar" to the initial European Mid Life Update (MLU) configuration, which Lockheed Martin also refers to as Block 20.

F-16C/D
Block 25 F-16 type came in 1984 and was referred to as F-16C/D (C for single seater, D for twoseater) and delivered to the USAF. Capable of using the AIM-120 AMRAAM with mainly a new AN/APG-68 radar with increased range and better resolution. The cockpit received two head-down multi-function displays, new up-front controls, a larger HUD, data transfer unit, radar altimeter and jam resistant UHF radio. Space was created for an integral self-protection jamming system in a blister located on the base of the tail, although the equipment was not procured. Powered initially by the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200, this was later generally substituted for the -220E version. 

Block 30 came around 1987 and introduced a new engine to the F-16: the General Electric F110-GE-100 with a larger intake as it required a larger air mass to provide its full thrust at lower altitudes. 
F-16Ns and TF-16Ns built for the US Navy were derivatives of the Block 30 type. They were used as dissimilar air combat trainers, with a beefed up structure and no cannon. They were operated between 1987 and 1994.

Block 32 retained the F100 engine with what became termed as the "normal shock inlet" (the standard older intake) for the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220. (The USAF Thunderbirds also used the block for the demonstration team but without armament such as the gun and with some smoke equipment at the exhaust). 

Block 30/32s may use a wider range of weapons, like the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). Self defence was improved from the introduction of the Block 30D by doubling the number of chaff/flare dispensers carried. 
NOTE: early F-16's before and up to block 30 have at the slat at the inboard position only "2" slat rotating fingers. Later block beyond block 30 F-16 have there "3" fingers. 

Block 40/42 "Night Falcon". 
These appeared 1988 and were night capable planes.  Fitted with LANTIRN (Low Altitude, Navigation and Targeting, Infra-Red for Night) pods, consisting of the AN/AAQ-13 with a FLIR (forward looking infrared) and terrain following radar for navigation and AN/AAQ-14 with infra-red imager and laser rangefinder for targeting. Pods were mounted under the starboard and port chin hardpoints respectively. The undercarriage was also strengthened and extended to provide adequate clearance for the pods and the carriage of extensive air-to-ground munitions, including the Raytheon Paveway laser-guided family. 
Avionics have also been substantially been improved. In the cockpit a larger GEC-Marconi wide-angle, holographic HUD portrayed data provided by the LANTIRN system in addition to basic flight information. An improved AN/APG-68V radar was introduced and GPS. An AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare dispenser was added, controlled by the AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning System (which was also standard on the Block 50/52 and later retrofitted to all US F-16C/Ds). Cockpits were mostly black and the landing lights are moved from the main gear to the inner nose wheel door. 

The Block 40/42 F-16s were also officially designated as either F-16Cs for single-seaters, or as F-16D for two-seaters. A proposal to redesignate US Air Force examples as F-16G and Hs was rejected, but led to the adoption of the informal F-16CG and F-16DG. The F-16CG/DG block 40 has the GE F110 engine with the original intake and  block 42 the P?W F100 with the larger intake. At the same time it was proposed that the Block 50/52 would become the F-16J and F-16K (two-seater), resulting in the commonly used F-16CJ and F-16DJ description for those versions.

Israel received F-16D Block 40s as a specialised precision strike and suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) aircraft, with a weapon systems officer in the rear seat. A long, box-shaped dorsal spine accommodated extra avionics, believed to be an Elisra electronic warfare system. Additionally some of its two-seat Block 30s have also received the modification, while all of the F-161s were built with it as standard. 
A similar external modification was incorporated on some Singaporean F-16D Block 52s, and the Chilean and Polish two-seaters.

Block 50/52 F-16C/D were derived from the SEAD. Beginning 1993 the block 50D and block 52D planes were delivered, also referred to as the F-16CJ / DJ capable for Wild Weasel tasks.  As delivered to the US Air Force they did not havev the LANTIRN capability and fitted with a lighter HUD, but capable of carrying and firing the AGM-88 HARM. They  introduced the AN/APG-68 (v) 5 radar  with new capability. Also in the cockpit the pilot could use night vision goggles. Block 50 got the F110-GE-129 and the block 52 got the F100-PW-229 engine. 
Later these types were also capable of using the AN/ASQ213 HARM Targeting System pod and able to fire AGM-84 Harpoon ASMs. While not a feature of US Block 50/52, those ordered by overseas customers could be equipped to carry LANTIRN pods. In addition to the Fort Worth production line, Block 50/52 aircraft have been built in South Korea ("KF-16") and Turkey. 

Block 60 The Desert Falcon first flew end 2003 and is the most advanced type.  Block 60 single- and two-seaters were designated as F-16E and Fs.  It has much larger take-off weights and stronger structures. New systems include new avionics and the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA); this is an agile beam radar, providing a massive leap in capability even when compared to the latest AN/APG-68(V)9. The radar is mounted in a pitot tube-less radome, with three fuselage-mounted pitots. The cooling system required by the radar is mounted in the enlarged ventral tail fairing in the single-Beaters and the dorsal spine of two-seaters. (The spine also houses the engine start controller, datalink radio. 'blackbox' crash data recorder, electronic warfare receiver, aft transmitter and chaff/flare dispensers.).  Block 60 type also has a Northrop Grumman AN/ASQ-28 Integrated FLIR and Targeting System (IFTS). This IFTS consists of a FLIR mounted on the nose and a small targeting pod attached on the port side of the inlet.
The pilot can use night vision goggles and the cockpit has three large displays. The Falcon Edge electronic warfare suite comprises onboard jammers and a towed decoy. The Block 60 also has a new engine, the F110-GE-132 and the conformal fuel tanks add around 375 Imp gal (1,705 lit) of internal fuel with little effect on flying qualities. 

Upgrading various F-16 blocks
Alongside new production aircraft several different upgrade programmes have been implemented on existing F-16s, the most important being the MidLife Update (MLU) and the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). 

Starting in 1992 , the MLU upgrade was an European true multi-national programme (EPAF) intended to gave the type a true all weather and night capability. Many of the older European F-16 planes (including F-16A "block 15" KLu planes) were updated. So  European F-16A/Bs including those of the RNeth AF (KLu) were redesignated as F-16AM/BM following modification. The MLU was done in several stages M1-M5. 

Structural reinforcements were also done and externally strips of metal can be seen on the F-16 exteriors, particularly at the mid upper wing area. CCIP upgraded about 650 F-16s to a common standard, and work commenced in September 2001.

First stages of the MLU involved the refurbishment of older F-16 Block 15s with a cockpit similar to the Block 50/52, with an upgraded radar and capable for the AIM-120AMRAAM.  Update includes a new computer, a better radar  (APG-66v2) including multi-target locking; complete re-design of the cockpit main instrument panels (a.o. new full-color  MFDs and a larger HUD) and cockpit colours are more black, with new style flight stick and two larger displays. 
Also fitted in M3 (about 2004) are an advanced IFF system, an IDM Improved Data Modem, a DTS  Digital Terrain System, and capabilities for satellite navigation, Night Vision Goggles, FLIR  (forward-looking  infrared), all-weather defence and boming (including full IFR and night  capabilities), BVR Beyond Visual range:air combat (AIM-120 AMRAAM), approaching missile  detection, anti-radiation, and laser targeting for high-accuracy boming. The MARS (medium altitude recon system) was also introduced. Also the Pratt ? Whitney engines were upgraded to PW220 standard. 

MLU M4 (around 2006) introduced a new computer with better software that enables latest generation AIM-9X and IRIS-T missiles to be fired. M5 of 2009 will introduce a better precision naviagtion system and better capabilities for weapons like the GBU-49.

Also in 2009 the MARS can be replaced by the Recce-Lite (RL) recon system with infrared sensors. The pilot also received the JHMCS (joint helmet mounted cueing system) that projects information on a helmet screen for the pilot. 

MLU M6 planned for 2012 will introduce a better IFF. 

CCIP upgraded about 650 F-16s to a common standard, and work commenced in September 2001.

Other upgrades
The latest options are upgrades to Block 50+/52+. Customers can choose their own configuration depending on their requirements, resulting in considerable differences between aircraft built for different countries. Greece's Peace Xenia IV aircraft incorporate around a 30% structural change from the original US Air Force Block 50/52 examples, while the Israeli F-161s have a similar percentage difference from the Greek aircraft, as they are optimised for the long-range strike role with enlarged spines. Both have CFTs and modular mission computers. but probably the greatest advance came in the form of the radar, the AN/APG-68(v)9. Other options for Block 50+/52+  include helmet-mounted cueing systems, conformal fuel tanks, large 500 Imp gal (2,270 lit) external tanks, and various new capabilities. 

F-16I SUFA
The F-16I nicknamed "Sufa" (Storm) is manufactured by "Lockheed Martin" and equipped with a Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 (IPE) engine. Numerous modifications were made with advanced systems developed in Israel according to the IAF's specifications by the country's defense industries. SUFA (Hebrew for "storm") is based on current Block 50/52 production aircraft. The F-16I has a 23,600-kilogram take-off weight, considerably more than the earlier F-16s in IAF service, and is armed with the AMRAAM air-to-air missile. The SUFA has several features like:
- Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) manufactured by the  "Israel Aircraft Industries"  and which increase amount of internal fuel by 50%. The tanks are installed one the plane's upper fuselage and conform to it's figure.
- AGP-68(V)X Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that enables the tracking of ground targets day or night, at any type of weather. 
- Modernized cockpit is for the pilot and the rear cockpit is configured for the weapons systems operator or, with the change of a single switch, for a pilot instructor. System are a wide angle head up display from Elop and high definition (120ppi) 4in x 4in colour multi-function displays supplied by Astronautics CA of Petah Tikva, Israel. Other new features include a colour moving map display, digital video recording equipment, cockpit lighting and external strip lighting compatible with night vision goggles and a high capacity data transfer set. A Helmet Mounted Cueing System of Israeli design is extra to the goggles which F-16I pilots and navigators wear. 
- Dorsal spine Avionics Compartment aft of the canopy with advanced electronic warfare systems developed in Israel. These systems are improved models based on those installed in the F-15I. The aircraft features advanced Israeli communication systems as well.
- large 600-gallon wing tanks improving the aircraft's range and persistence. The tanks are mounted on unejectable supports.
- satellite communication of Elta and Rafael, including a UHF radio with new encoding methods and long distance relay capabilities.
- capability to use special weapons like the Python missile and equipment like the Litening II pod. This is a targeting and navigation pod that presents pilots with real-time, Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) imagery.  LANTIRN pod can also be used. 

The F-16I SUFA made its maiden flight in December 2003 with first aircraft delivered to the IAF at the Ramon Air Base, in February 2004. Final delivery (manufactured by Lockheed at Forth Worth USA) of about 100 aircraft to the IAF was in 2009. 

See also the references below for more actual real plane F-16 data....

- Hasegawa kits (checkout out here...)
- Tamiya kit  (see below or go direct to Building Report here......)
- Academy F-16CG kit (see below or go direct to Building Report....)
- Academy F-16I SUFA two seater (checkout here)
- Academy conversion into a F-16B build...
- Revell : check here for an interesting conversion into a Japanese F-2...
- Tips for converting the Tamiya Thunderbird into a F-16A
 
 

Tamiya 1/32  F-16CJ Fighting falcon Kit number # 60315	Academy 1/32  F-16CG /CJ Fighting Falcon  Kit number # 12101
PRICE:
About EURO 135,-  in the Netherlands; issued as kit   december 2004	about 80 EURO !! ( 40% lower than Tamiya kit)
SUBTYPE:
the  model is a F-16CJ (Block 50 D) and has the big mouth intake for the later F110 engine. These were used on later F-16 types such as the later made C's. tamiya was first with issuing a Big Mouth kit, but Academy also has it now as option in their kit.  Other correctly included parts are the thinker wheels and bulged main doors. Other details are the thick base vertical tail. It still is a single seater F-16 however. I discovered that the IFF panel as found on the MLU upgraded Falcons is included as part # 17.	Several block versions can be made of this kit: Block 40 or 42 F-16CG or Block 50/52 F-16CJ. Small or Big Mouth intake!;  2 types of  engine fans (F100 and PW 100) and 2 types of exhausts.  Several smaller parts can be found in this kit for the different blocks and countries that used the F-16: parachute tail fairing, IFF antennas (as found on MLU upgraded F-16's), 2 types of HUDs .  [ Note: you get a "thick" base vertical tail and also one set of main tyres and gear so if you want to make earlier F-16's blocks, you will need some cross kitting with some parts from the Hasegawa 1/32 kit #S27 ].
INSTRUCTIONS:
Nice booklet but as usual bit crowded Tamiya style. 65 steps with only Tamiya Paint color number and paint names.	Fine, with 35 steps. Comparable to the F-18 style instructions, with FS number but no paint numbers.
PARTS:
The box is really full with about 350 parts,  most of them in lightgrey/white plastic: 185 parts for the F-16,  25 for the separate F110 engine, engine dolly 25, 100 for the stores and tanks, 15 parts transparent parts. All is very nicely packed in separate bags and boxes. Parts have very fine engraved paneling and some raised details as required.  Also a number of metal parts are supplied for the undercarriage legs and some etched metal for chaff dispensers. Two canopies are supplied, plain glass and gold tinted glass. There is also a painting mask for the canopy, a set of rubber tyres (no plastic ones being supplied). The kit is also supplied with small screws and a screwdriver to get some more strength in areas. A small sheet of remove-before-flight tags and a metal insert for the nose weight. A nice colour poster with paint schemes and photo's completes this kit.  [note:  parts have already been re-organized/handled in pics below]	Box full with about  370 parts in dark grey plastic: 200 for the F-16, 150 for the stores, 20 others. No metal parts are supplied as Academy thinks this is not needed for the relatively small 1/32 kit. To save costs they also did not supply you with etched metal or any other gimmicks, but the plastic parts are just as detailed. And you indeed get two canopies with plain glass or gold tinted glass. Tyres are of plastic which I think is better.  All plastic has finely engraved details which is quite comparable to the Tamiya kit. However, strangely enough you will need to remove very subtle flash with a modelling knife in areas and need to polish the surface in areas. But nothing that can not be done with a little effort.
PARTICULARS:
You don't only get a F-16 model, you also get a separate F110 engine with an engine dolly. The engine can be installed and removed from the rear fuselage for which a detailed bay is provided with this kit. A good number of external stores are supplied, such as: AMRAAM 120B/C , AIM-9M , a ASQ-213 HARM target pod, AGM-88 HARM missile, ALQ-184 ECM pod, GBU-31J, and two tanks of 300 and one of 370 gallons.  For the parts rubber/nylon parts are supplied that enable you to keep them removable and changeable. The same is done for the vertical tail and instrument cover. The idea is that you can remove these parts for transporting the model in its own box after finishing it. For that purpose you get a carton insert box with the kit.	- you get an excellent F-16 model, not more not less. But 2 pilots and 1 crew member is an extra bonus. And you get much more, read this:  - Stores are superior! Very good quality and includes more than with the Tamiya kit: AIM-9L/M, AIM-9X, AIM-120B/C, AGM-88 HARM, GBU-31 JDAM, GBU-12 Also Paveways and TERs on the GBU-12;  2x 370 gallon tanks and 1x300 centerline fuel tank; ALQ-184 ECM and 2x HTS pod;  LANTIRN pod; ALE-50 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy. ASPJ antenna fairings on the intake. For the ROKAF a specific IFF type antenna panel is supplied. It seems a bit strange on the box picture but is correct. Parts do not seem so complicated as with the Tamiya kit but the end result is just as good.
FIT:
Very good	OK.
DETAILLING:
Superior! - Surface detailling very good  - Cockpit: fine but small obviously. Raised instrument details, detailed sidewalls. Glass CRT screens and separate instrumentcover with HUD. ACES II ejection seat is removable and quite good. Separate belts supplied.  Good pilot figure and a ladder is also supplied. Very good cockpit edge locking details. The rear cover behind the seat (in front of the canopy actuator) is I feel is a bit too wide (about 2 mm); - Wing: separate leading edge slat and trailing edge flaps. One single part of upper fuselage and wing, which guarantees correct dihedral and no seams. Later style F-16 RWR receivers on leading edge and metal static dischargers. - Radarnose and radar is also supplied with very fine etched metal antenna.  - Canon: also added but no ammo drum. Removable panels.  - Airbrakes can be set in open position.	Very good! - Engraved paneling is a little less "busy" as compared to the Tamiya kit but the end result is just as good. - Cockpit is fine with no gimmicks such as removable seat rails. Looks fine. ACES II seat is OK but straps are moulded on (Remove these and make separate straps).  2 types of HUDs for the F-16CG/CJ and  ROKAF. Ladder supplied with 2 pilot figures. Cockpit edge locking details are missing (add these from some stretched sprue and rod). The sidepanels' recesses should be a bit deeper.  The rear cover behind the seat (in front of the canopy actuator) is I feel not wide enough (about 2 mm); - Wing: has only separate trailing edge flaps and 2 wing halves should be aligned and glued to the center wing section.  Later style F-16 RWR receivers on leading edge and plastic static dischargers which are separate parts. - Radar nose and radar is also supplied but with plastic parts. Requires some added details.  - Canon: also added and including the ammo drum. Removable panels.  - Airbrakes can be set in open position.
DECALS:
TAMIYA kit has 4 versions; decals are a bit thick but have good coloring and markings. Only USAF versions:  (1) 20 FW, SW Shaw AFB, USAF SerNo 91-0379, Block 50D, Tiger Meet of the Americas 2001 / (2) 77 FS, 20 FW, SW Shaw AFB, USAF SerNo 91-0348, Block 50D /  (3) 13 FS, 35 FW, MJ Misawa Japan, USAF SerNo 91-0399, Block 50D /  (4) 14 FS, 35 FW, MJ Misawa Japan, USAF SerNo 92-3886, Block 50P ;	ACADEMY KIT has 6 versions: 5 for USAF and 1 ROKAF of Korea;  (1) F-16CG Block 40, 89-2013, 8 FW, Kunsan AB, South Korea, Sep 2004 ; (2) F-16CG Block 40, 89-2003, 35 FS/8 FW Kunsan AB, South Korea, Aug 2004; (3) F-16CG Block 40, 89-2020, 51 FW, Osan AB, South Korea, Sep 2004 ; (4)  F-16CJ Block 50, 92-3895, 5 AF (35 FW), Misawa AB, Japan, Feb 2005 ; (5) F-16CJ Block 50, 92-3901, 35 FW, Misawa AB, Japan, Sep 2004 ; (6) KF-16C Block 52, 93-4067, Han-guk Kong Goon, RoKAF ; this has a "F-15" type scheme with Dark Ghost Gray and Light Ghost Gray. Very good set decals for the stores!
REMARKS:
- The vertical tail can be kept detachable, when fixed the very small seam needs minimal filling. - The engine can be set separate on its nice engine dolly, but you will need another exhaust pipe section which I took from another F-16 kit such as the one of Revell or Hasegawa. (note: the loose engine is a bit thin, otherwise it would not fit into the rear fuselage. But this can hardly be seen I think). - the aft lower rear fuselage cross section shape at the engine bay is not entirely correct; it seems some compromise was needed here as the engine and sub-parts are removable  - the engine dolly is a model on its won and needs carefully aligning of the parts. - carefully assemble the big mouth intake, fill the seam. - stores are fine, missile fins are thin enough for me. - wheel bays need some extra piping and details. - some very small ejection pin marks can be found on the inner airbrakes. Remove these.  - overall fit is excellent! Main bay with some added tubing from scratch , sprue etc	- this kit builds into a fine F-16. You get a choice here with several blocks and big or small intakes and the corresponding 2 types of engine exhausts.  With some cross kitting with for example the (now obsolete) Hasegawa kit, older blocks can be made. Many older block aircraft have thin wheels and no bulged but straight main gear doors and these are found in the older F-16 kits on 1/32 scale.  - Wheelbays cry for some added piping and lines. - Carefully align the winghalves to correct dihedral - Stabilizers alignment is also important, check their dihedral. - Vertical tail base is a bit squared in shape. It can be sanded smooth though for a better look. - Stores are very good; carefully select which ones you need, this will save a lot of time.  "C" tail  2 types of HUD ; their shape is a bit odd but can be corrected. 2 Engine exhausts  "para tail choice"
CONCLUSION:
A very nice state of the art Tamiya model of unseen quality. But this comes at a high price. I liked the engine and its dolly, but the aft lower fuselage cross-section is not entirely correct.  Some extras were not really needed such as the nylon parts for removable parts or the transport facility. The kit would than have been cheaper.  Recommended if you want to afford it.  NOTE: August 2005 Tamiya issued an older style F-16C Block 32 in the Thunderbirds scheme. It has the smaller intake and a "thick base" vertical tail of the "C". The model does not have the internal engine and engine bay.  See also tips for converting the Tamiya Thunderbird into a F-16A	This Academy kit looks a bit "simpler" than the Tamiya kit but the end result is just as impressive. You can make more choices and the stores are very impressive. This kit is about 40% cheaper and immediately makes the Hasegawa kits obsolete as these are not much cheaper.  Highly recommended! Issue found later: on the small intake: on the Academy kit the distance between the intake and the lower fuselage is too small. The RAM intake and duct are barely visible. Some modification may be needed here.
ON TO BUILDING REPORT OF THE  TAMIYA F-16C KIT....	ON TO BUILDING REPORT OF THE  ACADEMY F-16C KIT....
. ON TO BUILDING REPORT OF THE  ACADEMY conversion to F-16B	. ON TO BUILDING REPORT OF THE  ACADEMY F-16I SUFA KIT....

ALSO CHECK OUT: 
EXTENSIVE BUILDING ON HASEGAWA KITS HERE.......
..
Back to 1/32 models
 

Februari 12:   F-16A Tamiya conversion

January 28: F-16B

Februari 19: F-16I SUFA

MY WALK AROUND REAL F-16 PAGE

- www.F-16.net

A very good REFERENCE is the Daco book : 
“Uncovering the Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B/C/D” with many many pictures…. (note: drawings are not accurate in all areas)

Dutch F-16 video on YouTube (courtesy Virtual Twenthe)