Manufacturer: Smer
Scale: 1/72
Additional parts: Parts from a Mastercraft F-16
Model build: Nov 2018 - Jan 2019
Scotish Airforce F16AT
Smer
1/72
1/72
Dragon Flight: A Scottish Air Defense Story
February 2021, North Sea, Scotland
The icy wind howled across the North Sea, whipping the waves into a frenzy. High above, a lone speck sliced through the pre-dawn darkness – Flight Lieutenant Fiona Campbell at the helm of her F16AT. Her callsign, "Firefly," felt appropriate this morning, a flicker of defiance against the encroaching shadows.
Fiona was part of the First Air Dragoons, the newly formed elite squadron of the Scottish Air Force. Their pride and joy – the F16AT, a marvel of Scottish ingenuity. Willam MacLeod's modifications had transformed the old F-16s. The double tailfins and canards gave the plane unmatched agility, a "dragon ride" as Sqn Ldr Wallace had put it. But today, agility wasn't enough. Today, they needed teeth.
Her F16AT bristled with missiles, configured for air-to-air combat. Fiona's stomach churned – this was the first time they'd be tested against a real threat. For weeks, Russian SU-35s had been buzzing the Scottish airspace, testing their defenses. Today, Fiona was the answer.
Her radar crackled to life. "Firefly, this is Dragoon Lead. Bogie on your heading, 20 miles out. Identified as SU-35 Flanker."
Fiona's grip tightened on the joystick. "Dragoon Lead, this is Firefly. Engaging."
The roar of the engine filled the cockpit as Fiona pushed the throttle forward. The F16AT lurched, accelerating like a startled dragon, the North Sea blurring into a streak of blue and grey below. On the screen, the Flanker grew larger, a menacing silhouette against the dawn.
The Russian pilot, cocky with past unchallenged incursions, didn't react until it was too late. Fiona cut through the sky, her F16AT's maneuverability a revelation. The Flanker lumbered after her, its heavier frame struggling to keep up. Fiona locked onto the target, her finger hovering over the trigger.
A voice crackled through the comms. "Firefly, this is Dragoon Lead. Hold fire. We've got Ravens on your flank."
Two sleek shapes materialized on the radar – RAF Eurofighters. Fiona cursed under her breath. Tensions with England were high, and their aggressive patrols near the border were a constant thorn in their side. Were they here to help, or…
Suddenly, the Eurofighters peeled off, flanking the SU-35. "Firefly," Dragoon Lead's voice was grim. "Seems the English have decided to play mediator today. Stand down, but stay vigilant."
Frustration gnawed at Fiona. She wanted to take down the Flanker, to send a message. But orders were orders. As she eased back on the throttle, a new message flashed on the screen. It was a simple image – a Saltire, the Scottish flag, superimposed over a stylized dragon. A silent message of pride and defiance from her ground crew.
Fiona smiled. Maybe they didn't get the kill today, but they'd shown the world the bite of the Scottish dragon. The future of the Scottish Air Force soared with her, a testament to human ingenuity and the fierce spirit of a nation.
After the declaration of Scottish independence on Nov 30, 2019, the need of own military forces cam up. As Scotland only was able to get a very small share of the former British military, the newly formed Scottish Airforce came up with no flying aircraft.
Therefore, as a first step, Scotland bought 16 used F16 fighters from the USAF to setup up the core of the Scottish air defense. However, as those aircraft were not up-to date compared with potential threats, research started to improve those aircraft.
At the restored Scottish Aviation aircraft company at Prestwick, research started for an update of the F16. Under the lead of Willam MacLeod - from the clan of the MacLoads - the F16s were equipped with a double tailplane fin and additional canard to improve maneuverability. On the backside, those modification decreased the top speed of the plane of about 15%.
Avionics were improved to be adjusted to the new plane layout and only 9 months after Scottish independence day, the first of the new F16AT took of on its maiden flight.
And - original quote of Sqn Ldr Conner Wallace: "If felt like a dragon ride" it seemed as if Scottish engineers came up with a remarkable good aircraft.
Therefore, all of the F16 were to be modified to the new F16AT standard, the first planes were taken into service in early 2021. Where they were desperately needed. The new Scottish Airforce had to deal with two kind of threads to Scottish airspace: Russian aircraft testing the Scottish border defenses over the North Sea were seen several times a week.
And on the southern border, the British Royal Airforce aggressively flew patrols over the English-Scottish border, but the new F16AT were a real surprise to the RAF Eurofighters when they showed up in January 2021.
The model shows a Scottish Airforce F16AT of the First Air Dragoons in February 2021 with a Anti-Air load out.
This model is based on the 1/72 scale F16 kit made by Smer. Which is a horrible produced kit. The plastic material is very soft and fit quality is awful. so this plane was close to try to fly out of the window from the 6th floor.
The additional tail fin came form a similar kit made by Mastercraft, although this was a different manufacturer, the kit was the same (but better produced). The canards were taken form the spare part box. (from a Soviet cruise missile).
Airbrushed with Revell Aqua Color, the decals were self made.
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