Scale 1/72
Manufacturer Print Scale
Decal Sheet ID 72-377
Decal Sheet Title F-16 Desert Storm
Types Featured F-16A, F-16C

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Print Scale sheet 72-377 covers eight F-16s from various units which flew in-theatre during Desert Storm. The aircraft are:

  • F-16C-25B 83-1145 'Death Dealer' from the 17th TFS, 3673rd TFW at Al Dhafra AB, UAE during 1990/1. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a white tailband containing "HOOTERS" in black. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Death Dealer' artwork;
  • F-16C-25D 84-1257 'Desert Storm' from the 17th TFS, 363rd TFW at Al Dhafra, UAE during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a white tailband containing "HOOTERS" in black. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Desert Storm' artwork;
  • F-16C-25D 84-1261 'Blood Storm' from the 17th TFS, 363rd TFW at Al Dhafra, UAE during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a white tailband containing "HOOTERS" in black. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Blood Storm' artwork;
  • F-16C-25C 84-1213 'Tazmanian Devil' from the 17th TFS, 363rd TFW at Al Dhafra, UAE during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a white tailband containing "HOOTERS" in black. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Tazmanian Devil' artwork;
  • F-16C-25F 85-1420 'Code One Candy' from the 33rd TFS, 363rd TFW at Al Dhafra, UAE during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a dark blue tailband containing "FALCONS" in yellow. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Code One Candy' artwork;
  • F-16C-25B 83-1150 'Max Thrust' from the 33rd TFS, 363rd TFW at Al Dhafra, UAE during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried black "SW" tailcodes and a dark blue tailband containing "FALCONS" in yellow. Full colour squadron (port) and wing (starboard) badges were carried on the intakes. On the starboard fuselage below the rear transparency was carried 'Max Thrust' artwork;
  • F-16C-30B 85-1552 from the 23rd TFS, 52d TFW at Incirlik AB, Turkey during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below), modified slightly with the leading edge of the fin and fin base painted Gunship Grey (GS36118). It carried a dark blue/yellow/red striped fin tip andf black "SP" tailcodes, outlined in white. This aircraft also carried a full-colour (red/white/black) sharkmouth on the nose;
  • F-16A-10B 79-0339 from the 138th TFS, 174th TFW, New York ANG at Al Kharj AB, Saudi Arabia during 1991. This carried the early three-tone-grey scheme (see below). It carried dark grey italicised NY tailcodes on the fin with a grey/white chequered fin band and "The Boys from Syracuse" in grey on the fin base. Mission markings were carried on the nose gear door.

All aircraft carried the early three tone grey scheme, comprising Light Compass Ghost Grey FS36375, Neutral Grey FS36270 and Gunship Grey FS36118. The drawings in the instructions are incorrect as they do not show that the upper part of the intake should be Neutral Grey.

Instructions provide a left or right side drawing of each aircraft, togther with small photographs. A separate four-view provides stencilling details. The decals are in good register, although the white appears very thin and may not be sufficiently opaque,  and the dark grey for the NY ANG aircraft appears to be too light.

This is a useful sheet, but the modeller should seek additional references for the paint scheme!

Review and images by Chris St Clair