Viper Demo Team with F-16 50th Anniversary Painting Scheme 戰隼 F-16 五十周年紀念展演機

圖文 / Julian Shen

Last summer, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team unveiled a striking new red, white, and blue livery to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Inspired by the original YF-16 prototype that first flew at Edwards Air Force Base in 1974, this retro design faithfully recreates the classic look of that iconic aircraft. The livery not only honors the F-16’s storied history but also reflects a commitment to technical and cultural heritage.

Behind this livery update, Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester led the Viper Demonstration Team in close collaboration and meticulous communication with Tony Accurso, the F-16 50th Anniversary coordinator at Edwards Air Force Base, and the 416th Flight Test Squadron (412th Test Wing). Their efforts ensured the new livery achieved an optimal balance of visual impact and historical accuracy. To recreate the YF-16 prototype’s original appearance, the team strove to faithfully restore the classic look of the 1974 test aircraft. However, subtle adjustments were made to distinguish the modern F-16, such as replacing the “General Dynamics” (the original manufacturer) marking with “20th Fighter Wing” to reflect the current unit’s identity. Additionally, the vertical tail now features “Viper Demo” to highlight the aircraft’s unique role as a demonstration jet.

The entire process, from concept to completion, took less than eight weeks, thanks to the 412th Test Wing’s technical expertise and teamwork. Beyond surface treatment, the team pursued meticulous detail, ensuring every color block, line, and marking aligned with the historical prototype while accommodating the modern F-16’s structural needs. This dedication to quality produced a visually stunning livery capable of withstanding the demands of high-intensity flight demonstrations.

Since mid-2024, the F-16 Viper Demo Team has showcased this new livery at over many airshows across multiple countries, captivating global audiences with the U.S. Air Force’s aerial prowess and the F-16’s legendary charm. From North American venues to international stages, this vividly painted F-16 has been a focal point, drawing the attention of aviation enthusiasts and the public alike. Its retro red, white, and blue scheme evokes memories of the F-16’s early days while symbolizing the Air Force’s innovative spirit over the past half-century. The team continues to use this livery, allowing more people to witness this special aircraft commemorating the F-16’s 50th anniversary.

Beyond its visual impact, the livery carries deep cultural and historical significance. Since its first flight in 1974, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has become one of the world’s most successful multirole fighters, serving in numerous air forces (including Taiwan’s) and proving its excellence in countless missions. Through this commemorative livery, the U.S. Air Force pays tribute to the F-16’s illustrious history and honors the designers, manufacturers, and operators who have contributed to its legacy. For the Viper Demo Team, this specially painted F-16 is more than a performance aircraft – it’s a powerful symbol of the Air Force’s tradition and innovative spirit.

去年夏末，美國空軍F-16 Viper Demonstration Team 正式揭曉了一款令人矚目的全新紅、白、藍三色塗裝方案，這一設計旨在紀念 F-16戰隼戰機誕生 50 週年的重要里程碑。這款復古風格的塗裝靈感源自於1974年首次在加州愛德華空軍基地試飛的 YF-16 原型機的原始外觀，完美再現了當年那架經典戰機的視覺特色。該塗裝不僅是對F-16輝煌歷史的致敬，也展現了在技術與文化傳承上的用心。

此項塗裝更新的背後，是由泰勒·「FEMA」·希斯特（Capt. Taylor Hiester）上尉帶領的展演隊與愛德華空軍基地由托尼·阿庫索 (Tony Accurso) F-16 50 週年紀念活動的負責人以及第 412 飛行測試聯隊  (412th Test Wing)  多方合作與仔細地溝通後，確保新塗裝在視覺效果與歷史準確性上達到最佳平衡。為了重現 YF-16 原型機的原始風貌，力求還原 1974 年測試機的經典外觀。然而，為了區分這架現代 F-16 與當年的原型機，設計團隊在塗裝上進行了一些細微的調整。例如，原先 YF-16 機身上標記的「通用動力」（General Dynamics，F-16的原始製造商）字樣，被替換為「第 20 戰鬥機聯隊」（20th Fighter Wing），以彰顯當前部隊的身份。此外，在戰機的垂直尾翼上，還新增了（Viper Demo）的字樣，進一步突顯這架飛機作為示範隊專用機的獨特地位。

這款新塗裝的完成過程，僅用了不到八週的時間便從概念轉化為現實，這歸功於 412 測試聯隊的技術與團隊協作能力。不僅飛機表面處理，還展現了對細節的極致追求，確保塗裝的每一個色塊、線條與標記都符合歷史原貌，同時適應現代 F-16 的結構特性。這種對品質的堅持，使得新塗裝不僅在視覺上令人驚艷，還能承受高強度的飛行表演需求。

從 2024 下半年至今，F-16 Viper Demo Team 讓這款全新塗裝的戰機，參加了遍佈數個國家的數十場航空展覽，向全球觀眾展示了美國空軍的飛行實力與 F-16 戰機的傳奇魅力。從北美的航空展到國際舞臺，這架塗裝鮮明的 F-16 成為了現場的焦點，吸引了無數航空愛好者與普通觀眾的目光。其復古的紅、白、藍配色不僅喚起了人們對 F-16 早期歷史的回憶，也象徵著美國空軍在過去半個世紀中不斷創新的精神。示範隊直至目前仍繼續使用這款塗裝，讓更多人能夠親眼見證這架紀念 F-16 五十週年的特別展演機。

除了視覺上的突破，這款塗裝還承載了更深層的文化與歷史意義。F-16 戰隼自1974年首飛以來，已成為全球最成功的多用途戰鬥機之一，服役於多個國家 (包括中華民國) 的空軍，並在眾多戰場與任務中證明了其卓越性能。通過這款紀念塗裝，美國空軍不僅向 F-16 的輝煌歷史致敬，也向所有參與設計、製造與操作這款戰機的人員表達了敬意。對於 Viper Demo Team 來說，這架特別塗裝的 F-16 不僅是一架表演用機，更是傳遞空軍傳統與創新精神的重要象徵。