1/48 AFV Indonesian F-5E Tiger II

Gallery Article by Alex Sidharta on Aug 17 2016

Indonesia Independence Day 

 

      

Indonesian F-5E/F Tiger II had been in service exactly for 36 years when the last operational flight was conducted on April 28, 2016. The first Tiger arrived in Indonesia on April 21, 1980, transported by USAF C-5 Galaxy. Eight planes arrived as the first wave and eight more on July 5, 1980. The first Indonesian Tiger, an F-5F variant with serial number TL-0514, successfully made its first flight in Indonesian sky on April 28, 1980 at around 14.35LT.

Indonesian bought sixteen brand new F-5E/Fs from US to replace ex-Australian Avon Sabres which were operated by the 14th Squadron. The presence of Mach 1.6 F-5E/F Tiger II reinstated the supersonic era in Indonesia after the Soviet-made MiG-21 was entirely grounded in the early 70s. In 1985, Indonesian F-5 was planned to be upgraded by SABCA (Belgium), but the completion was delayed for years until 1999. The upgraded Indonesian F-5 Tiger was called MACAN (which stands for Modernization of Avionics Capabilities for Armament and Navigation. Macan also means “tiger” in Indonesian language).

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For Indonesian F-5, the easiest one is using #AR48S02 Chilean F-5E Tiger III. However, anyone who wants to build this still have to pay extra cautions to find out which parts should be used especially when building this Indonesian MACAN (upgraded) F-5E like I did or the early version.

Key-features of the Indonesian F-5E are the old-style radome, smaller Leading-edge Extension, dorsal antenna, and fin-fillet. For MACAN F-5, there are two additional bulged sensors in nose and two RWRs in the tail which are not present on early one. There are also some cockpit panel changes but it’s too small to be reflected in my kit. I used the late version’s double glass HUD.

The construction went well but one accident did occur. Can you imagine the the sound of cracking clear-part when you accidentally stepped on it? Ouch !!....I had to buy another kit to replace it because some help I asked were left un-answered.

The wing’s black walkway lines in black were painted and then masked using thin-stripped masking tape before the camouflage color was applied. The black lines on the fin also was also painted. I think it is the easiest and get better result than paint it later.

Indonesian F-5’s camouflage pattern is similar to USAF "New Blue" camouflage but with “paler” colors comparing to the original. After a long trial-and-error, I decided to use Gunze C-20 Light Blue, Model Master 1721 Medium Grey and Model Master 2132 Flanker Blue-Grey which turned-out quite OK to my eyes.

Indonesian F-5 decal are not available by major decal brands. Fortunately, there is a local-publisher named “Cap Jempol Metal” who releases the Indonesian Tiger. Although the decal has to be cut individually, the quality of printing itself is top notch ! However, a “normal” decal would be more than welcome in the future.

I used thin-stripped masking tape to replicate the sealant on windshield and canopy from the outside and the result is convincing. The shark-mouthed centerline droptank, 2 camouflaged wing droptanks and 2 AIM-9P were then attached to complete the model. 

Thanks for viewing, I hope you enjoy it...

Happy 71th Independence Day, Indonesia!

Alex Sidharta

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Photos and text © by Alex Sidharta