Hobby Master 1/72 HA38018 Lockheed F-16A “NSAWC Adversary” 920409/60, US Navy, 2006 to 2008*

Limited Edition of only 700 models worldwide

In 1969, the US Navy established its Fighter Weapons School (NFWS), more popularly known as TOPGUN, at NAS Miramar, California. Its objective was to develop, refine and teach air combat manoeuvring tactics and techniques to selected fleet air crews flying against aggressor squadrons. The aggressor aircraft are flown by TOPGUN instructors to simulate the tactics and capabilities of air forces deemed most likely to pose a threat to the US. The NFWS merged into the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Centre (NSAWC) at NAS Fallon, Nevada, in 1996. The NSAWC continues to teach the TOPGUN course, more formally known as the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) program.

Lockheed F-16A Fighting Falcon

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 evolved over the years into a multirole aircraft. It has a frameless bubble canopy, providing its pilot with superior visibility, and it employs 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 manoeuvres 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.