A multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force, the F-16 has been in service for an incredible 36 years, with no sign of retiring. At a time when other planes retire to museums, General Dynamics' fighter bomber is still a formidable foe in international combat against so-called "fifth generation" planes.

The first prototype flew for the first time in 1974 and the operational career of the last aircraft built will continue well into the 2040s - almost 75 years and still going strong!

Meanwhile, this light fighter was optimised for daylight missions and became a formidable fighter-bomber; more than 4,400 were built and used by more than 25 countries.

Two volumes will be devoted to the F-16, this first will deal with it's development and the F-16A and B.