 F-16 Fighting Falcon A, B, MLU, C, D
HT Model Special
By Peter Novorol’ník & Jozef And’al
HT Model, 2003
ISSN 1335-3667
Softbound, 48 Pages HT Model continues their Special series with this latest release covering the F-16. This is a plane that could easily take up several hundred pages, so when I saw how thin this book was I opened it with some trepidation as to the contents. But once I started thumbing through it I was impressed with what the editors at HT Model were able to cram into those 48 pages. There are over 350 color photos detailing just about every possible corner of the F-16, and for all the major variants. Seven pages are for the cockpit photos alone, and this book covers in detail the A, A& B MLU, and C office spaces. I now have a very clear understanding as to the differences between the F-16A and F-16A MLU interiors, thanks to these photos. The coverage does not stop with the cockpits, either. In addition to the photos, there are a handful of drawings showing the differences in air intakes and exhausts for the Pratt & Whitney and General Electric engines. There are also drawings showing all four different main wheel hubs, and the differences between the early F-16A/B landing gear and the F-16C/D post-Block 40 landing gear. Rounding out the drawing section is a very nice set of 1/72 plans, with sixteen full views covering the F-16A/B MLU of the Netherlands, and F-16A MLU of Denmark, Belgium, and Norway, as well as the F-16C Block 40/50 with the GE engine. Scrap views show pylon details and landing gear differences. Finally, there are forty color side view profiles showing the wide range of F-16 operators and the varied camouflage schemes different air forces have chosen for their Fighting Falcons. The amount of information presented in the photos and drawings in this book is incredible and it easily overshadowed the fact that all the text is in Slovak. As most who would be interested in this book probably already have a history of the F-16, not being able to read the text is not a big issue, and after reading many of the captions I was able to figure out much of the text anyway. This is an excellent little book on the F-16 and is a must-have for anyone interested in this diminutive fighter. Our thanks to HT Model for the review sample. You can get this title, and others in their Special Series, direct from their website. | 
|