IPMS Gateway is having a contest thar requires a Monogram kit in a Monogram box so I though I'd build this one for that event. It has literally been decades since I built this one, but I pretty well knew what to expect from it. This is the version that includes a photo etch fret that replaces or enhances bits in the cockpit. As such, it can be built without these items if one so wishes. The kit also represents an aircraft before any of the many modifications typical of later aircraft.

The kit has a fairly nicely done cockpit, a trait that has helped sell Monogram kits for much of their existence. The seat is molded into the tub so one only has to add the control column and the instrument panel. This is then fit into the upper fuselage. The fuselage is split into upper and lower sections with the wings and tailplanes molded into the upper fuselage section. There is a separate tail, exhaust and intake sections to add along with a separate nose. I've never needed weight in any F-5 kit so won't be adding any to this one.

Landing gear is fairly well done as are the gear doors. There are slots already cut into the lower wing for pylons and you can install LGBs and gun pods, which not a very realistic load-out. There are Sidewinders for the wing tips. The canopy is separate from the frame, a feature I really do not like as it is nearly impossible to get a join that looks good. Long pins are on the frame that fit into holes so that the canopy can be posed open. Cut them off if you want it closed.

Instructions are well done with generic color references. The lone marking option is for a Top Gun F-5E in a wraparound scheme of light grey and dark grey. The small sheet is well done and while thick, should still work quite well. Fortunately there are lots of aftermarket decals for a 1/48 F-5E.

The first thing I did when I opened the box was start to fill in the pylon slots with super glue. It took four applications to get them all done, but I prefer clean wings for my F-5s. I next painted the interior bits and inside of the fuselage, then assembled it. I used non of the p.e. bits as I don't really like using all that much of it if I don't have to. During this time I also assembled the centerline fuel tank. I found that the section that fits to the back of the cockpit does not have a very positive attachment so one needs to take care in this area. The instrument panel was then glued in place and once dry, attached to the upper fuselage half.

At this time the upper and lower fuselage halves were fit together. Fit is fairly poor by today's standards. It is no exaggeration to say that every seam will need filler. The largest gaps so far were where the lower fuselage wing stubs fit around the gear wells. With that done and all the filler work dealt with, the windscreen and canopy were attached and masked off. This gave me a fairly complete airframe so it looked like a good time to do some paint.

For this one, I decided on a scheme of blues and greys to match the markings found in FCM decals #48049. Unfortunately, I only had two of the shades on hand so had to hunt for some enamels to match the other two. Fortunately, AK Interactive had the missing shades in their line so I found a store that stocked them and ordered them. In the meanwhile, I painted the entire airframe with Testors FS 36622 as that covered much of the aircraft. It also acts as a primer for the other shades. When the paint came in, I started spraying it on, a task that took a while. I could have 'cheated' and used one of the overall grey schemes, but I like multi-color camo schemes so do them from time to time. I also sprayed the hot section using Alclad II steel.

Once that was done, I attached the main landing gear and hand painted the wheel wells using Tamiya silver lacquer. I then sprayed on a gloss clear and started applying decals. These were printed back when FCM was using Microscale so I had no issues applying them. I used Microsol to help get them to snuggle down on what little external detail was left after all the sanding.

The next step was to attach the nose gear door, nose wheel, main wheel and the main gear doors. Fit on those was fairly good other than the main gear doors which have no really positive attachment points. I also glued on the small antennas (one of which came from the p.e. fret as I lost the plastic one. Then the nose probe was glued on. This was particularly difficult as it is a butt join and the attachment point is quite small. Back to the paint booth for a semi-matte clear coat to seal everything in.

Not much for the final bits. I glued on the exhaust section and managed to break off the nose probe. Nothing left to do but replace it. I did that by using a straight pin that was inserted into a hole drilled in the radome. It was then cut off and that was it. The masking was removed and the small amount of bleed under was dealt with. Then the missiles were glued on.

While I'm sure that most modelers will gravitate towards the much nicer AFV Club kit, the Monogram kit may be a good choice for those wanting to use those modeling skills. It also has the benefit of being available at a much lower price than the newer offerings.