USAF F-16D 'Thunderbirds' by Hobby Master

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, initially produced by General Dynamics, later Lockheed Martin, entered service in 1979 as a versatile jet fighter. It evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft, capable of 9-g turns, and was adopted by the U.S. and 25 other countries due to its affordability. Pilots affectionately call it the 'Viper', and it will remain in USAF service until 2025. The Thunderbirds Aerobatic Team started using the F-16 in 1983, initially with F-16A Block 15 and F-16B Block 15 aircraft. In 1992, they transitioned to newer F-16C/D Block 32 models, which were retired in 2008. For the 2009 season, the Thunderbirds updated to 9 F-16Cs Block 52 and 3 F-16Ds Block 52.