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TITLE: Goodbye F-16 - Afscheid van een legendarisch gevechtsvliegtuig
Authors: Dick van Wageningen, Gijs Dragt
Publisher: Geromy (in cooperation with the NMM)
ISBN: 9789083312224
Language: Dutch
Published: 2023
Format: 240 pages, hardcover
Price: 35,00 euro.
In 1972, the United States Air Force (USAF) specified a new lightweight fighter aircraft to be developed for air combat. Based on this, prototypes were designed by General Dynamics (YF-16) and Northrop (YF-17).
In doing so, General Dynamics used advanced aerodynamic techniques and proven reliable systems, such as those that had already been applied in the F-15 and F-111. For the first time, the 'fly-by-wire' system was used; electronic control instead of traditional control cables. The prototype of the F-16 made its first flight in January 1974. A year later, the USAF opted for the design of General Dynamics, which was taken over by Lockheed Martin in 1998.
The F-16 at the Royal Netherlands Air Force:
The selection and “recruitment” of the F-16 started at the end of the 1960s. The decision was made in 1975. The introduction of the F-16 took place in a partnership, the so-called 'Multinational Fighter Program F-16' in which, in addition to the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Denmark and Norway also participated. In 1975 the decision was made, and the Netherlands placed the first order of 102 aircraft to replace the F-104G; followed by a second series of 111 aircraft in 1980, which was to replace the NF-5.
Fokker became responsible for the production of Dutch and Norwegian F-16s. In June 1979, the delivery started to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu). The last aircraft was delivered in February 1992.
In order to adapt the F-16 to the progress of technical developments, the Operational Capabilities Upgrade (OCU) program was implemented in 1987. The end of the Cold War placed different demands on the equipment and at the end of the 1980s, more than three years before the last F-16 was delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force, people were already thinking about replacing or rejuvenating this type around the year 2000. The choice was made to extend the operational life by means of a Mid-life update (MLU) modernization project. While the OCU F-16 could be used for air defense under favorable weather conditions, attacking ground targets and conducting aerial reconnaissance, the MLU made it possible to expand its tasks and ensure its deploy ability until 2010. On April 2, 2003, the 139th modified F-16 was received by the Commander of the Air Forces.
Tasks:
Strategic air operations (aerial bombardments)
Tactical air operations (support for own troops)
Gaining and maintaining air superiority (air embargo, no-fly zone)
Aerial reconnaissance missions (photo reconnaissance)
Details:
Fokker delivered a total of 213 F-16s to the Royal Air Force, of which 177 were F-16As and 36 F-16Bs.
The two-seater variant of the F-16A is not referred to as TF-16A but as F-16B, making it clear that the two-seater is fully operational.
The F-16 is equipped with a Head-Up Display (HUD) on which the standard flight and weapon data are projected. The cockpit of the MLU F-16 is based on the 'Head up, hands-on' philosophy, which means that 80% of all instruments are within the pilot's field of view when he is looking straight ahead.
In addition to numerous modern weapon systems, the pilot can also use Night-Vision-Goggles (night vision goggles) that amplify a light source about 6,000 times.
Multi Role and Swing Role concept. The multi-role fighter aircraft is the most important factor in the strength of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu). It is suitable for performing a wide range of tasks. A number of multi-role fighter aircraft can be used in a swing role concept. They are used for a certain number of tasks where the switching of tasks is carried out as quickly as possible. At the moment (December 2023), the F-16 is being phased out and replaced by the F-35. A number of aircraft will be prepared for the Air Force of Ukraine. Goodbye F-16!
Yes, I can already hear you; "Another book about the F-16". Certainly, but as far as I am concerned, it is a somewhat different set up than the standard F-16 publications. The book consists of three parts and ten chapters. Part 1 deals with the "machine", part 2 Man, part 3 Mission. The Machine is of course the F-16 and its development, with four chapters discussing its design and subsequent development, followed by its introduction for and in the Netherlands, with the Netherlands eventually also participating in the construction of the F-16 in Europe. Within the Netherlands, the media is talking about "the largest investment in Dutch Defense ever", of course in the spirit of time, despite the heated political debates at the time. At lightning speed, the step is made to the Orange Jumper and the introduction of the F-16 solo display team.
The Man, part 2, picks up the active part of the F-16 in the Royal Netherlands Air Force with nine operational squadrons and everything that goes with it. All nine squadrons will be shown separately, and the squadron culture will be briefly discussed, including the official emblems that must be approved by the High Council of Nobility, yes! Almost every squadron has a squadron photo, and the necessary colorful tails pass by. Nineteen pages take you through the training to become an F-16 pilot, including the training in America. Other things that are important for a pilot are also discussed, such as "bail outs", survival training and survival pack and it does not always go well either......
Part 3, Mission. In addition to flying for the defense of the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Air Force has also participated with its F-16s in a large number of missions abroad and not only peacekeeping missions, but also actual combat missions; such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. I certainly did not mention everything in this review, such as the weaponry, refueling, kite info and anecdotes and the Mid-Life Update, but it is all in there.
The book is packed with beautiful photos in color and often over two pages. It also makes the book a beautiful picture book. The Air Force, the squadrons, the NMM (National Military Museum) and a number of photographers have delved deep into their archives.
Conclusion
For me a beautiful (picture) book with beautiful, large color photos, some familiar to me but many not. I do not know of any Dutch book that gives so much information about the F-16 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. In my opinion, this is a valuable addition to the written history of the KLu. I have thirty-one publications about the F-16 in my library. I have not read any of them, just browsed through them. I have finished reading this one. Modelers will not find specific detailed photos, but a number of photos do contain many nice details, for example in the armament area and the missions.
As far as I am concerned, highly recommended.
Thanks to Geromy Publishing for providing the review copy
Reviewer: Fred Bachofner
this article was published on the IPMS website December 2023 by the webmaster M. de Vreeze