F-16A TFS/174th TFW (ANG) "The Boys from Syracuse" with 30 mm gunpod
GPU-5 Gunpod in Desert Storm

During Desert Storm the US Air Force deployed the NY Air National guard F-16 squadron to Saudi Arabia to prove the us of the 30 mm GPU-5 in actual close air support (CAS)combat. The squadron used the pods for one mission and they proved to be less than expected. The pod was mounted on the center pylon and like the SUU-11 and the F-4 the pylon did not provide a stable enough platform for accurate aiming of the gun. They also lacked a proper gun site, the pods were removed and the squadron used cluster bombs for their remaining CAS missions which totaled over 70 missions. This finally resolved the thought of replacing the A-10 with 30 mm equipped F-16s.

The model is the Hobby Boss F-16A built out of the box with a Hasegawa GPU-5 and Mk 20 Rockeyes and Aim 9Ls from my spares box. I used Print Scale F-16 Desert Storm decals for the markings. The Hasegawa GPU pod is not quite the right shape in the rear and it sits way to low on the pylon almost scrapping the ground. I may try to source the Italeri version of the pod out of their OOP F-15E kit to see if it is a better fit in the future.