If you have played Ace Combat 7, there must be a moment that made your heart swell with excitement at least once. The aircraft flown by the protagonist Trigger, which supported the beginning of that story—the F-16C belonging to the Mage Squadron—has arrived as a 1/72 scale model. Even among the numerous fighter jets that appear in the Ace Combat series, this aircraft holds a special meaning. Precisely because it is the aircraft that Trigger piloted before making a name for himself as a legendary ace, it is an existence that can be called the origin for players. Rather than a mere fighter jet model, it can be described as an item that lets you keep the starting point of the story by your side in physical form.

The charm of this kit lies in the fact that it firmly replicates the beautiful form possessed by the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The tight airframe configuration typical of a single-engine aircraft and the streamlined design that seems to slice through the air allow you to re-appreciate the reason why it is called a masterpiece of modern fighter jets. Especially the smooth fuselage lines due to the blended wing body provide a sufficient sense of satisfaction just by gazing at it after completion. Unlike the impact of large aircraft, the agility and smartness unique to lightweight fighter jets are conveyed from the model, allowing it to radiate a unique presence when displayed.

The reason why the F-16 continues to be operated worldwide for a long time lies in its ease of handling. While equipped with a high-performance engine, its handling characteristics are extremely straightforward, making it capable of handling a wide range of missions from air-to-air combat to air-to-ground attacks. It also excels in roll performance and specializes in nimble maneuvers, earning high praise from many pilots. That versatility is firmly expressed within the game as well, and not a few people who played Ace Combat 7 likely remember it as their “first favorite aircraft.” Precisely because it is such an aircraft, a special attachment is born when you complete it as a model.

In this kit, an IFF antenna has been added as a plastic part, finely replicating the features of the Mage Squadron specifications. While such small parts seem inconspicuous at first glance, they are points that greatly influence the impression after completion. Because it can replicate the aircraft's image from the game more faithfully, it can be called a specification that fans cannot afford to miss. In addition, since the airframe part color is molded in gray, you can naturally enjoy a fierce atmosphere characteristic of a fighter jet. It is appealing not only to advanced modelers who do painting, but also in the point that it looks sufficiently excellent even if assembled as is.

After completing a model, what surprisingly causes worry is the method of display. However, this kit comes with a dedicated display stand. Since it can replicate not only the figure of waiting on a runway but also the flight state of dashing through the open sky, you can enjoy a display overflowing with a sense of dynamism typical of Ace Combat. Because you can create a presentation as if cutting out the exact moment of taking off right after a mission starts, it will raise the level of satisfaction after completion even further.

While fighter jet models possess various charms, this Mage Squadron specification F-16C is not a mere aircraft kit. It is an existence that reminds you of the memories of when the player took to the sky as Trigger, the times spent fighting alongside comrades, and the beginning of the legend. This kit, in which the charm of the famous F-16 aircraft and the world view of Ace Combat 7 fuse brilliantly, is an item I want to recommend to series fans, of course, as well as to people who are about to start fighter jet modeling from now on. Gazing at the completed aircraft makes you want to sit in the cockpit once again. It can be described as a special model that puts you in that kind of mood.