IsraDecals Publications

Lockheed Martin
F-16C/D Barak

by

Ra’anan Weiss and Alon Koren
 

Reviewed by Dave Williams

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

The latest volume in the Isradecal series of references on aircraft of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) covers the F-16C/D, know as Barak (Lightning). A companion to Isradecals’ new 1/48 decal sheet for Barak, IAF-21, the book covers both Block 30 and Block 40 versions of the F-16C and –D models. For those looking for a reference for the earlier F-16A/B “Netz” in IAF service, Isradecals has an earlier publication covering these versions.

The first chapter of the book provides a general history of the Barak from the initial “Peace Marble II” order to the recent contract for the Block 52+ “F-16I”. Specific modifications and weaponry used by the IAF F-16 force are also detailed in the first chapter. For those wondering, the book does not discuss what is inside the large spine of the F-16D models as this is still quite classified.

Subsequent chapters are devoted to individual squadrons, which fly the Barak. Each chapter contains a unit history and is punctuated with narratives from IAF pilots. . The discussions of operations are quite up to date, including missions flown as late as October 2003. Each squadron chapter is profusely illustrated with photos, almost all in full color, and includes side view color profiles of specific aircraft operated by the squadron. Many of the photos show the aircraft fully armed, providing the modeler a guide for some of the common loadouts used during operations.

The last pages of the book contain an extensive walkaround section. Detail shots are provided of the cockpits, wheels, spines, antennas, and landing gear with the emphasis on differences between Block 30 and Block 40 aircraft. Also include are detail shots of external stores carried by the IAF F-16s. In addition to US weapons such as AIM-9L, JDAM, and GBU-15, photos are provided of Israeli stores such as the Python 4 AAM, IMI Delilah decoy, Rafael Spice guided bomb, and Lightning targeting pod. Also covered are the IMI 600 gallon fuel tanks and the VER-2 and VER-4 Vertical Ejector Racks.

 

This is the only reference on IAF F-16C/D aircraft you’ll ever need.

Highly Recommended!

Dave Williams
IPMS/USA 19050

Review sample kindly provided by Isradecals.

Review Copyright © 2003 by Dave Williams
This Page Created on 02 December, 2003
Last updated 06 December, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page