F-16 Viper Demo Team unveiles historic livery 

Does anyone else remember having that die cast F-16 with the red , white, and blue. The paint shop really outdid themselves on this one! The best demo team paint job ever! Thanks to everyone who said yes on the approval.

Building model airplanes with this paint scheme led to a fantastic 20-year career in the USAF. I spent 15 years surrounded by 200 F-16s @ Luke AFB. I know right now if I take my daughters to see your demo, I'd be crying the whole time. Thank you for the awesome job to all involved. It was the right paint and the right base to do it. Where it all began. God speed to you all.

Remember making a Revell model of the F-16 in that colour scheme when I was a young lad in the early 80s..

PHEW Public Affairs was COOKIN with this one.

Now that's a legacy paint job!

My dad worked for General Dynamics in the 70s, This is the paint scheme of my childhood. I remember the day he came home with a bunch of promo material for the F-16 when it was rolled out in 1976. I probably still have some of it. Models, posters, .. just so much cool stuff! That this plane is still flying and one of the best in the sky is a testament to everyone that's worked on her over the years! Man, that livery paintjob is just *PERFECT*. Well done!!!

That livery is freaking GORGEOUS! A+++ to the maintainers who made this happen. It's a work of art.

Dont get me wrong the Viper livery was cool but growing up my entire life in an Air Force family on bases, having had many diecast Vipers in that red, white and blue livery is just classic!! Awesome come back. Solid job by all involved, hoping to see at the upcoming air shows

THIS whole video itself is proof that this is the best country in the history of civilization. From 13 colonies to a Viper in just 248 years. "Old World", infighting, war for thousands of years. So fucking lucky my father decided to leave Cuba. HOOAH!

Those red wings look so damn good. Also, at 1:50 the sound captured on takeoff has got to be the best I've heard in a while!

Yes I had model plane as a kid with this livery!!

I remember building this as a scale model in the 70s. I later got to work for General Dynamics. What a magnificent airplane! We also made Stinger, Phalanx and the Standard Missile - all still in widespread use today - 50 years later!

That is one beautiful paint scheme! Thank you for the wonderful video.

I was in the Dutch military in the late seventies and a mate had a model kit of the F 16 and he built it with this color scheme. I also saw the first ones stationed at the airbase Leeuwarden and take off. That was an incredible sight, especially in comparison with the Starfighters that we were using until then. Great paint job for this aniversary!

Born 50 years ago. Had a few models and toys decked out like this. My flashbacks are as fierce as the history of this great warbird. Thanks! THIS WE’LL DEFEND! 🇺🇸💜

"Unveils" - not unveiles.

I remember the old Revel (?) model kit with that livery in the 70's and my dad helping me with the decals. 40+ years later and I'm still building models thanks to that paint scheme and the dead sexy F16.

NICE! You can't go wrong with Red, White and Blue! The pattern on the bottom looks cool also.

This really is just awesome, my first interaction with the Viper was in the same way; that red white and blue die cast model. 10/10 guys & girls.

I will absolutely NEVER forget the day when, as a junior at UNH and an AFROTC cadet, I went into the Det for something and saw the Viper on the cover of Aviation Week and Space Technology. I was absolutely GOBSMACKED. Unfortunately, I wasn't a CAT IP cadet and never did have sufficient Right Stuff to become a military aviator, but I fell in love with the F-16 that day, and fell hard. And to see where that airframe has gone over the past 50 years!! The very last scale model airplane I ever finished was an F-16 in these very colors. So yeah. Great big f**kn lump in the throat and havin' a hard time seeing the words I type. Really hope to see this F-16 perform in this livery. Beautiful. Just needs a bit of work on that radome! But I love it either way. Thank you. This is a terrific way to honor the history and legacy of one of the greatest fighters the world has ever seen!

It makes me so happy to see this paint scheme on a Jet that’s still flying. I remember I’d choose these colors anytime I could in Ace Combat.

To the men and women behind the scenes at Edwards AFB, and the Viper Flight Demo Team, Thank You! This brings back so many memories for me from when I was a young aviation enthusiast. Now, at 44 yrs. old, it takes me right back.😢🤙👍💯🇺🇲

I grew up in Lancaster, Ca. in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. What an exciting time it was! In the 3rd grade, we had new kids at school who had moved there from Texas. At the time, I didn't know their dads (and some moms) worked for General Dynamics. In fact, across the street from us on K-2 street were the Andersons. I didn't know it at the time but, dad was the chief test pilot for the YF-16 program. I remember that this plane looked nothing like anything we had seen before. The air intake below the cockpit gave the plane an evil, and I will say it, BADASS look. It looked like it was moving mach1 in its chocks. That experience, along with many more, gave me the "Jet Bug" I have today. The F-16 and the SR-71 flying over my house are simply the biggest and best memories I have in the aerospace world. And believe me, I've been blessed with MANY! Seeing the ICONIC red, white, and blue paint scheme takes me back to the exact moment in my life. Ray Smith, from Dallas who moved to Lancaster in the 3rd grade and was in Mrs. Taylor's class... I hope you are well. I can only imagine how tough it was to leave your home and come to California for less than two years but, meeting you and watching the GD YF-16 has remained a wonderfully vivid memory. For the current families in service and specifically on the VDT, you are my rock stars. Sure, pilots are a badass breed unto themselves. But, the men and women supporting the mission are my idols. You are the ones that truly gave me the fond memories I have. Because YOU keep the beautiful beasts in the air. Thank you all for your service! And for the entire GD that sacrificed their "normal lives", moved to the Antelope Valley, and were part of creating the best fighter jet of all time, God bless you all! THAT is what makes me proud to be an American and so very grateful I grew in Lancaster back "In the Old Days." GO VIPER!

Who did the editing?!?!? Absolutely amazing. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

Great Video!! Awesome job, on all accounts. Jimbo.

TIL Edwards AFB has a youtube channel…..subscribed!

Looks beautiful It's spelled "unveils" though

Looks beautiful Tony! Best looking AF Demo plane out there. I'm hope the RC jet manufacturers take notice of your extraordinary work!

high five to everyone that signed off on this. such a childhood memory with that diecast and never actually seeing it anywhere. PoB's for everyone involved.

Can we get this to form up with the Thunderbirds? I'd make that my screensaver.

I had the exact die cast model with this paint scheme and this was the first color I ever saw the viper in as a boy! Brings back good memories!

F-15, F-16 in this "tricolours" liveries are iconic.

That is freaking BADASS to see that color scheme!! I had two plastic models when I was a kid in that color scheme or Livery

I need 2:43 as a screensaver/wallpaper! Beautiful!

I remember building a model of the prototype with this paint scheme as a kid

I have this diecast model. I grew up with it. Thank you for bringing this historic paint scheme back to my all time favorite fighter jet.

That was the first toy jet I ever had as well. Years later I joined the Navy #flynavy 😎

I maybe cried a little.

I think EVERYONE had that same die cast F-16! Still have mine!

Should’ve done a D-Day invasion livery 🥲

Simply outstanding job by the 412 ! Well done

Beautifully done!

Amazing Paintwork !! Viper forever !

Just beautiful! Thank you for the great presentation and for all you do!

There used to be a whole series of those die-cast planes. I think it was some spin-of of the Matchbox cars brand. Also had a P-38 and a F4-U Corsair. If it's the ones I'm thinking of, they had those little brass or nickel plated roller wheels. But yeah, I had the F-16 with this livery color scheme as well.

It's so cool to see a Viper in that iconic paint scheme again. I've been a huge fan of military aviation for my entire life. Photos of the YF-16 in that paint scheme were everywhere when I was a kid. I even had a chance to see it in person at Edwards. Somewhere in storage, I have photos of the YF-16 I took with my pocket Instamatic. It was a beautiful aircraft then and it still is now. The paint shop gets a big BZ for that paint job.

As a kid into aviation I recall seeing General Dynamics ads featuring the YF-16 Paint livery looked so damn good...way da go honoring that paint livery.😎👍

The Viper is not my favorite aircraft ever but it sure ranks up there. F4U-4 Corsair, P-51D, F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon all are ICON's of the air.

The F-16 has always been one of the prettiest fighters ever made, the newer versions aren't quite as appealing as the original given the stuff added to it, but this livery harkens back to the YF-16 and boy do these colors pop.

Falcons eat vipers. I miss the HISTORIC name of the F-16, the FIGHTING FALCON.

Now That's a paint job

YES!!!!!!!!!!! Im 50. Vipers 50. 50 best number cus still k8ckin a4se.

The F-16 is the P-47 of the modern world. While everyone gushes over the F-15 and F-22. The F-16 stands guard and is a invaluable workhorse.

Crewed this sexy Lady for 33 years. Spent a lot of time on the 416th ramp at Edwards and loved every minute of it, (well, except for the wind). Fantastic jet, miss working her. Was able to work every model up to the Iraqi Desert Falcon, even original block 5s that were upgraded to block 10s. Crewed the last block 10 with a Pratt 100 motor in the inventory I believe, 79-352, hard working gal. Lots of great memories of a fabulous fighter! Godspeed Viper drivers, kick a$$, fly safely!

the YF-16 went head to head against the Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" and ultimately won the competition. the YF-17 was later developed into the F/A-18 Hornet.

Structural maintainer here on Block-40 C/D Barak. Combat proven, exceptional build quality, like a LEGO set fully interchangable parts (unlike the Phantom !). A big thank you to all involved at General Dynamics, Fort Worth.

Sweet! A F-16C block 50D 91-0395 (91-395)! There again, the -16 makes any paint job look good. Many thanx 👍👍 🇺🇸

There was a McDonnell Douglas F-15D STOL/MTD at Edwards AFB back in the 80’s with a similar paint job but looked even better. I believe it was painted back at the plant in St.Louis, Missouri which is where the MOD’s for the plane were done.

I still have a copy of AIRMAN magazine with the caption "THE F16 BOWS IN" in my collection of aviation artifacts.

Thats actually sick

F 16 IS MY FAV AND THAT LIVERY 🔥 also it really does look like the yf 16

I was there for the "first" flight, when either Neal Anderson or Phil Oestricher put the YF-16 into the air as it rocked during a high-speed taxi. It was that or crash, and the pilot was magnificent. Worked on that amazing aircraft for 30 years...great memories. Sadly, old age is making me a bit forgetful, but I remember that takeoff very well, although my memory says it was Neal, but RU-vid vids say it was Phil.

Is that an F-16A+ or a C? Too bad they can’t paint the radome to match the fuselage.

I was a crew chief on this amazing plane back in the day! Awesome video thanks for sharing!

Awesome clip! 🤙✈✈

I had one of those little jets too. I sure hope you guys are bringing this over to the UK in July. RAF Fairford, RIAT! Would love to see this display. Looks amazing.

I remember seeing the YF-16 in that paint job when I went to EXPO 76 at Cape Kennedy. I was in aww of how different that plane looked from everything else flying. Today it has become almost a standard around the world. Funny how the future moves in and become history.

Love the Red, White and Blue but an F-16 will always be that dull grey to me. That dull grey means Freedom and the blessings of Liberty. The Freedom and Liberty that these planes and the airmen who make these machines work provide. Great job with the paint job and may G-d Bless the USA!

always loved this paint job. This is the one I remember from my model kit , back in 1974 ( I couldnt' paint back then but I loved the look! )

yes.

I was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in 79 when we got two F-16s for our test program. Tail numbers 054 and 055. I was one of their first crew chiefs. I went from the awesome F-4 to the F-16 almost overnight. It was an amazing time.

This livery is present in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. 50 years of F-16 in 2024.

I joined my beloved USAF in 1980 partly because I watched some news piece of the F-16 in similar livery ... I wanted to be a part of that. I retired 26 years later and the venerable Falcon was still at it... love this aircraft and everything it stands for!

WOW, Looks almost as good as RDAF F-16 E-191 in the Dannebrog livery

Thanks F-16 Demo Team. I thought that I would never see the now iconic livery of the YF-16 except in photos and plastic models. I guess if you wish long enough, sometimes dreams do come true.

Awesome. Looks great, better than the die-cast. To all the veterans...Thank you for your service.

So is this a completely different performance team or is this Thunderbirds Redux?

I have a die cast F16 I found while digging in my garden. It’s this paint scheme. Great job everyone you nailed this.

I had the Revell 1/72 F-16 in this livery . I loved it , even with the fogged over canopy because of me beeing to generous with the glue and a not to precise paint job . Found it in a box a couple of years ago and immidiatly ordered a "new" vintage one . Going to build it soon . I also have the Monogram 1/48 in my collection . I am sure a decal sheet for this modern generation F-16 in this livery will sell . There are differences from the prototypes and the old kits are perhaps not as detailed as the modern ones .

Col. John R. Boyd is smiling from heaven. The F-16A was what he envisioned to be as close as it gets to a perfect fighter jet.

Eh, the guys in the demo flight suits weren't real pilots. They didn't do the "pilot eyebrow" thing like Bill Engvall said! :D

Wow!!! I really really like it, thanks for doing this . Incredible that the F16 is still going strong after 50 years,

An F-16 XL in this paint scheme would be very awesome!!!

I do not know how you did it, other than a spectacular paint job. But just seeing it for the first time as its rolled out, made me emotional. I had one of those same toys as a kid. And its amazing! Thank you for both your service, and puttying a smile on my face. From the bottom of my heart.

Top 5 all time USAF livery. Maybe even my favorite. So classic.

That is one beautiful Bird. I can remember seeing early models of it. Always loved seeing that bird in flight.

I love it!!!

Retired E-8. Someone please fix the video title. “Unveiles” is embarrassing

i had one of the die cast F-16. Loved it then. Simply love the new paint scheme. Fantastic job all of you.

I remember when the F16 first came out with this livery. I love it!!!

BEST looking livery and jet fighter of ALL time.

A modern day P-51. Two of the most beautiful planes ever made.

Cant wait to see and film this amazing jet this year!

unveiles?

Hate, hate, hate shiny paint on military aircraft. That color scheme would look a thousand times better if they just used flat texture paint.

Something about the radar cone still being low-vis grey really completes the look

this isnt legacy, this is THE legacy, the first paint job!

A very fitting tribute to all who have made the F-16 the outstanding success story it is..

The best fighter jet ever made, with no "Over G" warning included.

Saw them in Hillsboro, they were awesome and the aircraft looked amazing