F-16I Sufa (Storm)

The Israeli Air Force's (IAF) F-16I Sufa (Storm), a two seater, is the latest version of the Lockheed Martin F-16.The F-16I was developed on the basis of the F-16ES [Enhanced Strategic] single-seat and two-seat, long-range interdictor F-16 proposal.This configuration was developed in November 1993 in response to Israeli preference for the F-15I Eagle. The F-16ES featured additional fuel in one 1,136 liter (300 US gallon; 250 Imp gallon) centerline tank and two wing tanks, each 2,271 litre (600 US gallons; 500 Imp gallons), as well as two conformal tanks. The combat radius extended to in excess of 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 km; 1,151 miles). The F-16ES was not purchased at that time, but the conformal tanks were developed as retrofit option for existing F-16s.

The cockpit of the F-16I has been expanded to provide for the addition of an onboard weapons officer situated behind the pilot. The independent system operator station provides increased effectiveness in night/adverse weather, high-threat and special system missions. This version also facilitates operational training. In addition to the new and more powerful Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, the F-16I has numerous modifications. The engine will enable it to achieve a maximum take-off weight of 23,582kg.

The Sufa has been customized with new avionic technologies, internally mounted FLIR, forward looking infrared, viewers, and cutting edge weapon system hardware provided by the Israeli defense company Lahav - a division of Israel Aircraft Industries. The Lahav technology will allow for simultaneous, multi-target air-to-air engagement and increased standoff and survivability capabilities.

The F-16I has been earmarked to receive the new Python 5 imaging infrared-guided high agility air-to-air missile produced by Rafael, the former Israeli Armaments Development Authority. The predecessor to the Python 5, the Python 4, was regarded to be the most advanced heat-seeking missile in the world. The Python 5 boasts a new seeker less prone to countermeasures, lock-after-launch capabilities, and an extended operational engagement time once fired.

In addition, the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)9 multimode radar increases the distance of airborne engagement by 30 percent over the older APG-69 system and affords the "Sufa" with a high-resolution synthetic-aperture ground mapping capability.

The Kit

The model comes in a sturdy box with a picture of the F-16I #422 from the Negev Squadron in 2007.

The Kit is comprised of 450 parts on 18 frets molded in dark and light gray.1 clear fret with various lenses and acc.

Included is a one pc. canopy with a seam line down the middle(easy fix for the average modeler). Full color PE cockpit fret including harnesses,Metal pitot tube and PE grills.

Instructions

These are printed in a 16 page booklet with clear and well defined instructions including a large weapons load out diagram.Also it comes with a full color insert for paint reference major plus.

Decals

The decal sheet's come printed on Cartograf. You get two sheets with all data,external stores and missile markings and options for 4 aircraft.

#408-The Negev Squadron,2007
#422-The Negev Squadron,2007
#425-The Bat Squadron,2007
#451-The Bat Squadron,2007

Weapon's Set

Included is a weapons set comprised of 4 frets of:
AIM-9M/X sidewinder,AIM-120B/C AMRAAM,AGM-65 Maverick,GBU-24 Paveway III,GBU-31 JDAM,CBU-87 Cluster Bomb,GBU-12 Paveway II,GBU-38 JDAM,Mk 82 Dumb Romb,AN/AAQ-13/14 LARTIN Pod.

Details

The detail on this kit is actually pretty surprising putting it right up there with the Hasmiyas. With light and heavy engraved panel lines in there respective areas.The details are crisp and there is no flash on my sample with a few injection marks in hidden areas(as far as I can tell with out building yet).The gear bays look very well detailed with some details that the other kits leave out.Engine detail is just as good with crisp details on the feather's.

This will be my second Kinetic build.The first being there 1/48 E2-C Hawkeye and I can already tell that Im just as impressed with this kit as I was with that one.