General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, Saab AJ-37C Viggen, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16A FALCON: Built as a lightweight fighter concept to counter ever-larger and more expensive fighters, the F-16 went from a "simple dogfighter" to a hugely successful multirole fighter. Maneuverable, fast and able to carry a great deal of diverse weaponry, the F-16 would become, and remains, the backbone of much of the former Western Bloc's air forces.
SAAB AJ-37C (AJ37) VIGGEN (THUNDERBOLT): Developed as a replacement for the earlier Saab J35 Draken, the Viggen was built in several similar variants, but with different missions: interceptor (JA37), strike (AJ37), conversion trainer (SK37) and reconnaissance (SF37). The Viggen combined remarkable performance with the ability to operate from roads, thanks to its revolutionary canards and airline-style engine thrust reverser. It only served with the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet), and was replaced in the early 2000s by the JAS39 Gripen.
LOCKHEED F-104G STARFIGHTER: After the Korean War, USAF pilots demanded an aircraft that was built primarily for flat-out speed. Lockheed's famous chief designer, Kelly Johnson, responded with the sleek F-104, which could easily reach Mach 2. Unfortunately, its small wing made it so it could carry very little ordnance, and the USAF quickly relegated it to second-line units as a point defense interceptor. Lockheed was then able to market it as a multirole fighter, largely through bribery, to NATO nations and Japan. Despite its shady beginnings, the F-104 in NATO service proved to be surprisingly good in the strike role, albeit with a notoriously high loss rate. Modified into interceptors, Italian F-104S Starfighters served until the early 21st Century; most other F-104s were replaced by the F-16.
These were the first 1/144 scale models I had done in some time, and the first I built for my fictional air force, back in 2000. Aside from ejection seat warnings and various yellow caution symbols, all the markings are hand-painted. The F-16A and AJ-37 are both painted in USAF-standard F-16 camouflage, while the F-104 is finished in a camouflage similar to that of Japanese F-4Es. The F-16 belongs to the fictional 82nd Fighter Squadron ("Banshees") from "Pine Island IAFB," Minnesota; the AJ-37 belongs to the equally fictional 57th Fighter Squadron ("Sherak's Shearers," hence the scythe on the tail) from "Montana IAFB"; finally, the F-104 belongs to the 80th Fighter Squadron ("Vultures") from "Pawprint IAFB."
Since the Viggen didn't come with external weapons, it only carries two external drop tanks. I equipped the F-16 as a pure fighter, with four AIM-9 Sidewinders. The F-104 is loaded as a strike aircraft, with two Mk 84 2000-pound bombs (actually, two 1/72 scale Mk 82 500-pound bombs) and two AIM-9 Sidewinders on forward fuselage rails--a Japanese innovation carried on the F-104J.
Coming up with your own fictional air force is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed building these.
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, Saab AJ-37C Viggen, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16A FALCON: Built as a lightweight fighter concept to counter ever-larger and more expensive fighters, the F-16 went from a "simple dogfighter" to a hugely successful multirole fighter. Maneuverable, fast and able to carry a great deal of diverse weaponry, the F-16 would become, and remains, the backbone of much of the former Western Bloc's air forces.
SAAB AJ-37C (AJ37) VIGGEN (THUNDERBOLT): Developed as a replacement for the earlier Saab J35 Draken, the Viggen was built in several similar variants, but with different missions: interceptor (JA37), strike (AJ37), conversion trainer (SK37) and reconnaissance (SF37). The Viggen combined remarkable performance with the ability to operate from roads, thanks to its revolutionary canards and airline-style engine thrust reverser. It only served with the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet), and was replaced in the early 2000s by the JAS39 Gripen.
LOCKHEED F-104G STARFIGHTER: After the Korean War, USAF pilots demanded an aircraft that was built primarily for flat-out speed. Lockheed's famous chief designer, Kelly Johnson, responded with the sleek F-104, which could easily reach Mach 2. Unfortunately, its small wing made it so it could carry very little ordnance, and the USAF quickly relegated it to second-line units as a point defense interceptor. Lockheed was then able to market it as a multirole fighter, largely through bribery, to NATO nations and Japan. Despite its shady beginnings, the F-104 in NATO service proved to be surprisingly good in the strike role, albeit with a notoriously high loss rate. Modified into interceptors, Italian F-104S Starfighters served until the early 21st Century; most other F-104s were replaced by the F-16.
These were the first 1/144 scale models I had done in some time, and the first I built for my fictional air force, back in 2000. Aside from ejection seat warnings and various yellow caution symbols, all the markings are hand-painted. The F-16A and AJ-37 are both painted in USAF-standard F-16 camouflage, while the F-104 is finished in a camouflage similar to that of Japanese F-4Es. The F-16 belongs to the fictional 82nd Fighter Squadron ("Banshees") from "Pine Island IAFB," Minnesota; the AJ-37 belongs to the equally fictional 57th Fighter Squadron ("Sherak's Shearers," hence the scythe on the tail) from "Montana IAFB"; finally, the F-104 belongs to the 80th Fighter Squadron ("Vultures") from "Pawprint IAFB."
Since the Viggen didn't come with external weapons, it only carries two external drop tanks. I equipped the F-16 as a pure fighter, with four AIM-9 Sidewinders. The F-104 is loaded as a strike aircraft, with two Mk 84 2000-pound bombs (actually, two 1/72 scale Mk 82 500-pound bombs) and two AIM-9 Sidewinders on forward fuselage rails--a Japanese innovation carried on the F-104J.
Coming up with your own fictional air force is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed building these.