Paint Echoes Original Design of YF-16 in 1974

The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team showed off a brand new paint scheme to celebrate their 50th anniversary, mirroring the design of the original YF-16 prototype from 1974.

The pain design took much longer than they'd expect, stretching a 3-week job into 8 weeks after all was said and done. The team worked with the 412th Test Wing to ensure it was done correctly, since their logistics manager Tony Accurso would be directing the Edwards AFB F-16 50th Anniversary celebration. He became their go-to for historical accuracy, ensuring the resulting paint scheme would be a spot-on evocation of the original prototype.

It should be noted that for fans of these sorts of things, the pursuit of "historically correct" is of paramount importance. That sometime sits at odds with recreations of legendary armaments and equipment, so small, tiny adjustments are often included to keep them separate and reflect modern requirements. The crew decided the new tweaks would change out the original "General Dynamics" scrolltype with "20th Fighter Wing" and "Viper Demo" as a vertical flash. 

It's not a bad choice, and fits in very neatly without adding any distracting elements. Those abroad could learn a thing or two about restraining the "anniversary" branding, since it's a little too common for special paint jobs to be covered up with celebratory-but-distracting labels. Leave it to the Vipers to show them how it's done.

“The importance of this YF-16 paint scheme is celebrating 50 years of the F-16 Viper,” said Accurso. “Everyone at Edwards has a big sense of pride for not only supporting the Viper Demo Team but also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the F-16 which began right here at Edwards in 1974.”

“When I was hired to be the commander and pilot in the summer of last year, I had made it known that I hoped to find a way to get our airplane painted in the prototype scheme to take America back to the beginning of the story that started 50 years ago,” said Captain Taylor “FEMA” Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot.

FMI: www.edwards.af.mil