The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team unveiled a new paint scheme for its aircraft-a tribute to 50 years of service by the F-16 Fighting Falcon in the skies. This new livery in bold red, white, and blue pays homage to the original prototype YF-16. It will be officially revealed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 15 May 2024.
This new paint scheme, carried out by the combined efforts of the aircraft’s team and the 412th Test Wing in less than eight weeks, uses the same iconic colors as the YF-16 prototype when it first took to the skies in 1974. Normally, this would take three months to complete but was rushed to pay fitting tribute to the storied aircraft. Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester, commander and pilot of the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, shared his vision to “take America back to the beginning of the story that started 50 years ago.”
The logistics manager for the 416th Flight Test Squadron and director of the Edwards AFB F-16 50th Anniversary event, Tony Accurso was also quite instrumental as a historical advisor. His knowledge of the YF-16 prototype was immense, and his enthusiasm for the F-16 Fighting Falcon helped bring the design into reality. Accurso elaborated on the paint scheme: “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.”
The first flight of the YF-16 prototype was an accident: during high-speed taxi testing on January 20, 1974, a mechanical failure forced test pilot Phil Oestricher to lift off to avoid a crash. This was followed by the first official 90-minute maiden flight on February 2, 1974. The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team came into existence in 2015 with the merging of the two teams, Viper East and West, which to date have formed a hallmark of this versatile aircraft and its capabilities.
The jet, repainted from its previous appearance, carries only very minor changes: mostly the deletion of “General Dynamics” and has been replaced with “20th Fighter Wing” with “Viper Demo” added forward on the vertical stabilizer. Capt. Hiester mentioned important sponsorship from the 20th Fighter Wing leadership as allowing the project to come to life.
The team will fly in 25 shows across four countries in 2024. The jet will perform airshows to highlight its capabilities as the Fighting Falcon family prepares to mark 50 years of the F-16 legacy. With precision aerial maneuvers, the Shaw AFB, S.C.-based air demonstration team showcases the unique capabilities of the F-16CM Fighting Falcon – a single-seat, multi-role fighter recognized for its agility and power.
From its first accidental flight to the cornerstone of air combat and aerial acrobatics, the journey of the F-16 is a story of its lasting appeal combined with technological advancement. Each time the Viper Demonstration Team takes to the skies with their new paint scheme, it is not only a look back but an inspiration for future generations of aviators and enthusiasts alike.