Revell 1/72 F-5A Freedom Fighter, previewed by Spiros Pendedekas

HISTORY

The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models: the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants, and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants.

The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance. Smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 costs less to procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. Though primarily designed for a day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform.

The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for US allies. Despite the United States Air Force (USAF) not needing a light fighter at the time, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were based on Northrop's N-156 fighter design.

The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, the RF-5 Tigereye. The F-5 also served as a starting point for a series of design studies which resulted in the Northrop YF-17 and the F/A-18 naval fighter aircraft. The Northrop F-20 Tigershark was an advanced variant to succeed the F-5E which was ultimately canceled when export customers did not emerge.

THE KIT

This is the 1986 Revell reboxing of the original 1983 ESCI mold. The specific kit was a gift from good Dutch friend John vd Biggelaar, as he knows I have an affection for old classic kits. It comes in a medium sized top opening box, featuring a box art of a completed model in Dutch markings.

Upon opening the box, I was greeted with 77 medium gray styrene parts arranged in three sprues. general shapes of parts look correct. I spotted some flash in a few parts, as well as a couple of sink marks, but otherwise molding is nice and crisp with those finely recessed panel lines that made ESCI famous.

Cockpit is sufficiently done for the scale. The seat looks convincing (you have to add seat belts), while all instruments (including those of the side consoles) are provided as decals.

The fuselage is split in the middle, to allow for the dual seat version by just replacing the front section. The wings feature separate flaps and tail planes are one piece, all nicely done.

The intakes feature some depth, while the exhausts are shallow, something typical for the scale. The landing gear looks quite nice, with some molded-on detail in the main bays. Some detail is also molded in the ventral air brake housing. Both wing and tip tanks are supplied, as are a pair of Sidewinder missiles.

Transparencies are well molded and relatively clear. Instructions are well done in the form of a 6-page pamphlet, with the construction spread in 20 simple and concise steps. Color callouts are given where applicable. Two interesting schemes are provided, for a commemorative Dutch bird and for a US Top Gun example. Colors are given in Revell codes and in generic form. Apart from the expected yellowness, the almost 30yo decals are sharply printed and look to be in usable condition, but, of course, you can never know with old decals until you try them.

Instructions want you to first assemble the rear fuselage, then the cockpit which next has to be trapped between the front fuselage halves, followed by the nose.

The intakes and main wings are then assembled, with all above subassemblies, plus the tail planes, brought together to form the basic model. Landing gear and air brake installation is next, followed by the canopy and the external stores, ending a relatively uncomplex build, suitable for even less experienced modelers.

CONCLUSIONS

KIT #:	4343
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Spiros Pendedekas
NOTES:	Reboxed ESCI kit