Whether you’re an F-16 diehard, or fancy exploring US Air National Guard subjects, Two Bobs’ latest decal set could be ideal.
A hugely popular modern fighter for modellers, the Lockheed Martin F-16 has been replicated by most mainstream kit manufacturers… and in all major scales. Scores of different liveries have been available via the kits themselves and the aftermarket. However, the 198th Fighter Squadron F-16s of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG) have seldom been represented. Thankfully, if you build in 1/48 scale, Two Bobs Aviation Graphics’ new sheet, 48-283, offers enough markings for 20 different PRANG airframes, plus stencils for two machines.
The F-16’s career with PRANG was short, lasting just six years, from 1992-98, when the unit transitioned to the airlift role and the C-130E Hercules. This makes a PRANG F-16 a relatively rare and interesting subject. The unit flew the F-16A Block 15 Air Defense Fighter (ADF) variant, with the F100 engine, nose searchlight, AIM-7/AIM-120 missile capability and ‘bird slicer’ IFF aerials in front of the canopy. Another ADF trademark was that of horizontal bulges along the base of the vertical tail, accommodating repositioned flight control accumulators.
A score of schemes
Here, under the title F-16A/B Vipers of the Caribbean, Two Bobs offers two separate sheets for PR-tailcoded airframes, although one of the Vipers shuns the PR codes in favour of PRANG 50th anniversary tail décor, comprising the Puerto Rican flag and the unit’s famous buccaneer head artwork. The standard jets sport the ‘Puerto Rico’ vertical tailband, while all included wear ‘Bucaneros’ titles on each side of the air intake.
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Two Bobs has certainly done its homework here, as various styles of buccaneer head artwork are supplied, along with crew chief name panels and pilot monikers. There are also white drop shadow variants of the ‘PR’ codes for one example. The instructions are excellent as always too, featuring colour profiles for every airframe, along with pan views and other fine detail notes. Paint codes for Federal Standard, AK Interactive, Hataka, Mr Color and Mr Paint are quoted. If you want to replicate a more exotic US F-16, Two Bobs’ new package could be just the ticket… the decal quality is superb. It costs $18 and is available direct from Two Bobs in the US, or in the UK for £17.99 via Hannants.
