United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Model. Fly again with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Model in this Lockheed Martin F-16 model. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a unique piece of art. Length – 18 inches. Officially Licensed by Lockheed Martin. The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. LOCKHEED MARTIN, F-16 Fighting Falcon, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC. The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron (“Thunderbirds”) is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF). [1] The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created 66 years ago in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third-oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world. The Thunderbirds Squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft. The squadron’s name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several indigenous North American cultures. On 1 March 2013, the USAF announced that due to budget cuts, aerial demonstration team performances would cease indefinitely, effective 1 April 2013. [2] On 6 December 2013 the Thunderbirds announced their 2014 schedule and the resumption of their appearances.