Guys..

in light of the coming VGB 2009...
i think its ok to open a new thread here to list the reference that we can find on this Viper... maybe in a form of a link etc..would make 1 centralize reference for the Viper..

here is what i have so far...

- F-16 Evolution
- F16.Net ultimate reference
- Viper FAQ from Zero-Five
- Cybermodeler All F-16 Stuff review etc
- Habu2 site - but offline ATM

Walkaround
- Walkaround

Book Reference
- Get Jack Melampy's Viper Guide!


i'll update them when i found more... soon

HTH everyone :D

kuman


picture to spice a bit :D

Just wondering, The present maker of F-16 Lockheed Martin officially called the aircraft F-16 Fighting Falcon. Where is this VIPER name comes from? The F-16IN (India Proposal) is called Super Viper. Can someone enlighten us with this confusion...

mej®

Edited: The latest F-16 Block 60 belongs to UAE is called Desert Falcon. More confuse... I think better stick to F-16 GB rather than Viper because its not relevance at all...

Fighting Falcon is the official name but the plane is more popularly known as Viper to most people, especially the pilots. Came about because it looked like a snake and Viper came up as Battlestar Galactica was the in-thing back then with their Colonial Vipers and all.

This article might shed some light on this - F-16 Fighting Falcon, F16 or Viper? :)

Thanks Viper, it seem that the unofficial name is more popular than the official...

mej®

PS: If you cannot beat them, join them... :D

How old is F-16?

In 2004, I bought this F-16 "Thirty Amazing Years" from a local book store here.
This is a very interesting special edition as it covers all the F-16 day 1 till the F-16F.
Great pictures and references.
Glad that I got that copy in 2004.



Early this year 2009, I bought this Airforces Monthly in Sydney and the cover says SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN - USAFs - 30 YEARS ON.




I am confused now! When was the F-16 actually born.

Glad to know your guys are having the F-16 GB on the 10/10 in KL.
I will try to drop by as F-16 is one of my favorite aircraft beside the MiG 21.
These 2 aircraft were build on the same doctrine - LWF.

Major, to answer your question on why the name Viper is adopted for F-16, here is the info I koret from the above magazine.

Born from Battlestar Galactica
Official name of the F-16 is Fighting Falcon, though this had NOT been given when the 1st entered service.
Viper was one suggestion, inspired by the fighters flown in the 1978 sci-fi series "Battlestar Galactica". In the series fighters were described as "the most advanced flying machine designed by mankind", words which, for many, described the then-new F-16.
"Viper" was NOT selected as an official name but it lives on anyway.
Maj Doug Brick (USAF, Virginia)

thanks Miggy for the infos...

That ought to answer why VIPERS are popular than FIGHTING FALCON... Influence by TV series.... akakaka

mej®

Read in AirForces Magazine that Oman is looking at replacing their F-16 for the Typhoon.
The reason: F-16 performance is less then they expected.

What you think? Viper fan.