About This File
Fictional mod of the stock F-16A Netz from SFP:I to make it look like a fictional fighter plane for the italian air force.
BACKGROUND
Italy has the Viper, but as a lend-lease contract since 2003. What if they got them earlier...
When the state on the Apeninne Peninsula sought a replacement for the aging fleet of Zippers, the Viper was not directly on the first line. The Aeronautica Militare was thinking about replacing the fighters with more Tornadoes; but sought for other suitable candidates. Options weren't that numerous. France offered it's Mirage 50 and F1 while Sweden made a point with Draken and Viggen. The military command wanted a single-engined jet. Since their good experiences with the Zipper and the reduced cost of maintenance in contrast to a double engined aircraft (such as the Panavia Tornado), Italy asked France, Sweden and the US (which brought the F-15 and F-16) for evaluation flights of their models. The F-15 got sorted out early. Though being a huge weapons platform with a lot of payload (compared to the other candidates), it simply had two engines.
The italian pilots brought the planes to their limits and were amazed how simple it was to fly the Viper, compared to the other aircraft. In early 1983, a contract was signed between the Reagan administration and the italian government, that allowed Aeritalia (the company, that already produced the 104S Starfighter for the A.M.I.) to build the aircraft under license.
The first F-16S (Block 15 OCU-Standard) made its maiden flight in 1984 and replacement of the Starfighters started in 1985 finishing the task at the end of 1987.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Drop the folders into your Objects folder. If asked to overwrite, click yes.
CREDITS
Big Thanks to Thirdwire for the games and the superb models they have.
Kindest regards
ValAstur
