FCM 32019: F-5E Tiger II
Brazil
has been a major user of the F-5E/F so it is nice to see this sheet offered in
the 'big plane' scale for those who like to do their modeling in 1/32. Brazil
has had a number of different types of F-5E, starting with standard versions and
then modifying planes with the lengthened dorsal fin, shark fin VHF antenna and
an air refueling probe. It seems to me that none of these are the later F-5EM
which has the larger, squared off LEREX or the 'shark nose' radome as none of
these features are shown in the plan views of the instruction sheets.
One thing
about Brazilian Tiger IIs is that they carried a variety of camouflage schemes
and the seven markings options offered with this sheet seem to cover most of
them. These planes were operated by 1/1 G.A.C and 1/14 G.Av from 1988 to 2002.
Some sport tail codes and others have unit badges.
The four camouflage schemes are a version
with two browns and a green, one I'd call 'glop', an overall ADC grey and planes
in an SEA scheme. The full color instruction sheet provides four view painting
schemes of all of these along with a painting chart providing FS 595 references.
No kit is recommended, but I'm thinking most will go for the Hasegawa version,
which, while of the raised panel line era, is not only still relatively easy to
find, but builds well and can be found rather easily. Both Kangman and Ace have
done copies of this kit and from what I've read, both are subpar quality so go
with the original. I'm not sure of any aftermarket for the upgrade bits, but
they should be pretty easy to replicate with plastic card and spare bits. There
are resin cockpits to be had if that is what you seek.
The decals are superbly printed by Microscale and
so you know you are getting the best. From what I see, there are enough common
markings for two planes, so you have no excuse not to do a couple of them!
May 2016
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