Although an Air Force jet, PCAM's F-16N is the Navy version of the famous and well used "hot rod" of the Air Forces of the NATO countries, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The F-16N was developed as a "chase plane" and used in an aggressor role at Top Gun, Mirimar California. The F-16 closely resembles the performance of the warsaw pact countries Mig-29, and so the F-16N was painted up in the Warsaw Pact colors for use in air combat maneuvers (ACM).

Top Gun at Miramar was closing down due to budget cuts, and moving the operation to Fallon, Nevada. The Navy wanted to get rid of it's only 22 F-16N's and replace the aggressor role with the F-18 Hornet. 

Five F-16Ns were assigned to museums. We are extremely fortunate to have obtained this aircraft in January 1995. PCAM has an excellent reputation with the armed forces, especially the Navy, and PCAM was given the opportunity to acquire this aircraft. Currently we are one of only three civilian museums in the world to have an F-16N Viper.

Because it needed such a long runway, it was not allowed to land at Sonoma County airport. It was dismantled at Miramar and trucked to Sonoma County, where PCAM members reassembled the aircraft. It was the highlight of its first display day, with many people getting the only chance anywhere to sit in an F-16.

Our "hot rod" will be a popular exhibit for years to come.