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F-16C Fighting Falcon vs MiG-29: how to tell them apart

Two combat aircraft that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

F-16C Fighting Falcon, combat aircraft from USA

F-16C Fighting Falcon

Combat aircraft, USA. In service since 1984

What gives it away

Single tail fin, intake under the fuselage, frameless bubble canopy.

Used by

USA, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands and 20+ others

Photo: The National Guard, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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MiG-29

Combat aircraft, Soviet Union. In service since 1983

What gives it away

Twin fins and twin engines with large intakes under a blended wing; shorter and stubbier than the Su-27 family.

Used by

Russia, India, Ukraine and others

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