Review of Croco 1/72nd Scale
F-5A VNAF Freedom Fighter Decal Sheet
Sheet no. unknown
By Ray Mehlberger
By Ray Mehlberger
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 cost 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 U.S. allies.
Though at the time, the United States Air Force (USAF) did not have a need for a light fighter, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which was based on Northrop N-156 fighter design.
After winning the International Fighter Aircraft Competition, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, in 1970, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for better turn rates, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics including air-to-air radar.
Primarily used by American allies, it remains in US service to support training exercises. It has served in a wide array of roles, being able to perform both air and ground attack duties; the type was used extensively in the Vietnam War.
A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987. More than 3,800 F-5s and the closely related T-38 advanced trainer aircraft were produced in Hawthorne, California. The F-5N/F variants are in service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps as adversary trainers.
Approximately 500 aircraft were in service as of 2014.
The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance version, 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.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Light fighter (Multirole fighter in some upgraded variants)
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Northrop Corporation
First flight: F-5A: 30 July 1959, F-5E: 11 August 1972
Introduction to service: 1962
Status: In service
Primary users: United States Navy, Republic of China Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced: 1959–1987
Number built: A/B/C: 847, E/F: 1,399
Unit cost: F-5E: US$2.1 million
Developed from: Northrop T-38 Talon
Variants: Canadair CF-5
Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration
Developed into: Northrop F-20 Tigershark, HESA Azarakhsh, HESA Saeqeh, HESA Kowsar.
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 cost 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 U.S. allies.
Though at the time, the United States Air Force (USAF) did not have a need for a light fighter, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which was based on Northrop N-156 fighter design.
After winning the International Fighter Aircraft Competition, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, in 1970, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for better turn rates, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics including air-to-air radar.
Primarily used by American allies, it remains in US service to support training exercises. It has served in a wide array of roles, being able to perform both air and ground attack duties; the type was used extensively in the Vietnam War.
A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987. More than 3,800 F-5s and the closely related T-38 advanced trainer aircraft were produced in Hawthorne, California. The F-5N/F variants are in service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps as adversary trainers.
Approximately 500 aircraft were in service as of 2014.
The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance version, 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.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Light fighter (Multirole fighter in some upgraded variants)
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Northrop Corporation
First flight: F-5A: 30 July 1959, F-5E: 11 August 1972
Introduction to service: 1962
Status: In service
Primary users: United States Navy, Republic of China Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced: 1959–1987
Number built: A/B/C: 847, E/F: 1,399
Unit cost: F-5E: US$2.1 million
Developed from: Northrop T-38 Talon
Variants: Canadair CF-5
Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration
Developed into: Northrop F-20 Tigershark, HESA Azarakhsh, HESA Saeqeh, HESA Kowsar.
THE DECAL:
This decal comes in a zip locked type clear cello bag. There are no instructions with it.
It shows star and bar US markings, a yellow triangle with 3 black stripes across it, a large black serial no. 21214 and white serial numbers 21214, 13332, 10526, 10546, 10556, 10555, 10560, 10514, 13914 and 13318, to choose from.
This decal comes in a zip locked type clear cello bag. There are no instructions with it.
It shows star and bar US markings, a yellow triangle with 3 black stripes across it, a large black serial no. 21214 and white serial numbers 21214, 13332, 10526, 10546, 10556, 10555, 10560, 10514, 13914 and 13318, to choose from.
A sheet of instructions showing F-5A’s with these serial numbers on them and mentioning the unit names would have been much appreciated.
Nice decal sheet and in good register.
However, I cannot recommend it too highly, due to no instructions.
Thanks to Croco models for the review sample.
Nice decal sheet and in good register.
However, I cannot recommend it too highly, due to no instructions.
Thanks to Croco models for the review sample.
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