these are my final reveal photos of my entry in this SiG ,
some data that I found in wikipedia on the F-16 in Portugal :
The F-16 in Portuguese Air Force [
Peace Atlantis I
Portugal began the era F-16 during the formalization of the Peace Atlantis I agreement, with the signing of the letter of acceptance in August 1990. The agreement beyond the supply of 17 F-16A and F-16B 3, provided spare parts, equipment support and support, piloting and maintenance manuals, instruction of pilots and maintenance teams, participation of FAP in the Technical Coordination Group of the F-16, and the Integrated Programme airplane structure.
The planes were new construction in the standard block 15OCU, which made them almost identical to the F-16ADF, the only thing that differentiates them is the lack of AIFF antennas in front of the canopy, [note 14] Furthermore, the Portuguese version has some improvements including a laser gyroscope, Wide-Angle HUD, Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220E engines and shooting capability of AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.
Peace Atlantis II
In 1996 it was made an additional request for 21 F-16A and F-16B 4. This second batch of F-16 second-hand intended for the direct replacement of A-7P in the ground attack role and would be able to day and night attack by the MLU upgrade. The November 20, 1997 the United States Department of Defense announces the availability of 25 F-16A / B Block 15 used at no cost, and Portugal responsible for its transportation. The letter of intent is signed on 30 November 1998 and includes 25 aircraft used at no cost, new F100-PW-220E engines, transportation, logistical support and twenty MLU modernization kits for the amount of 268 million dollars (prices 1998) paid in installments by the year 2004. This program was given the code name Peace Atlantis II. [20] [21]
All aircraft operating in the air base 5 in Monte Real, divided by two Squadrons:
Squadron 201 - Hawks - made up of planes provided by the Peace Atlantis program I.
Squadron 301 - Jaguares - consisting of aircraft provided by the Peace Atlantis II.
MLU update [edit | edit source]
With the coming of the second batch of F-16, they were also acquired 20 MLU kits to the respective update (five aircraft were stored for spare parts), were later acquired another 18 kits, bringing to 38 the date or stage units update, ie all the F-16 operational. The kits were initially purchased second model, however are already upgraded to the level of F-16C / D Block 50/52, comparing them to those of other European NATO partners. If the deadlines are met throughout the upgrade program will be completed in late 2011 at a rate of one aircraft per two months. The aircraft which date are officially designated F-16AM / BM. [20] [21]
Main changes
Cockpit similar to F-16 MLU
New computer combat / mission (MMC - Modular Mission Computer), replaces the previous three components, that equipped the old versions, fire control computer (XFCC), the data control unit displayed on the HUD and the unit control and management armaments transported. Derives from the F-22 Raptor computer and has a capacity to process 155 million operations per second. It is possible to add modules to increase the capacity or of replacement modules in view of the nature of the task to perform. It also allows the use of cutting-edge weaponry.
Radar modernization by replacing the AN / APG-66 APG66 by (V) 2A making it equivalent to what team the Block 50 aircraft with a capacity 25% higher than in screening and detention targets over the previous model, has a range 90 Km [note 29] allows you to monitor up to ten targets and shoot six simultaneously against electronic counter measures (EECM) improved screening capacity and improved land mapping and display color monitor data.
Replacing the IFF system (interrogator friend-enemy), the AIFF (interrogator enhanced friend-enemy) with a range exceeding 150 km allowing the use of air-to-air missiles beyond the radar of possibilities, with high chances of not being committed fratricide .
Digital Terrain System, a system that provides the pilot audible data over the obstacles on the ground in front of him when flying at night at low altitude, obtaining data and radar altimeter. It can be connected to the autopilot if the plane's navigation system is digital.
Data-Modem, a system that enables communication between various F-16 and between the F-16 and the ground stations or with troops on the ground allowing for greater integration of forces.
Noticing that , I think since 2013 all F-16 are updated as the MLU , and Portuguese Air Force participate often in NATO missions .
Some Photos of the real planes are in my building Thread that you may find here :
http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=446&t=16033
About the build , some aspects I focused on the building thread, the Italeri kit is nice , but lack detail , even it is a nice build , If you do not consider to do a elaborated or a very accurate build , I'm not an expert on midern jet fighters as I often mention , but seems to me that should be better kits of the F-16 in market , Tamiya ,Academy , even Revell kits seem a lot nicer in terms of detail , but it is just an opinion , and also this kit show it's age as I guess it is a not very recent kit .Painting and to choose the right grey tones was hard to me , in the end it was an not 100 % accurate build , but I'm happy how it turn to !
So here are some Photos of the reveal :
This one was just for fun , it shows the F-86 Sabre that Portuguese Air Force 201 Sqd ' Os Falcões' used toghether with the F-16A that they use now
In some base that I made last year , I use to make bases for all my models, must give up on this due for starting to have lack of space
Hope you like , fell free to comment !
fabulous build 