This
is my Testors F-5A Freedom Fighter.
Construction
I
built the model out-of-the-box with the exception of the brakelines, which were
made from black-sleeved wire. The
20mm gun barrels were also drilled out using my mini-drill.
Painting
and Weathering
Model
Master and Humbrol paints were used for the finish, with each color lightened a
little by mixing it with flat white after each base color was airbrushed on.
Drafting tape was used do the masking with thread being used to
‘lift’ the edge off the model’s surface to achieve a softer edge.
An ivory black oil wash was applied to the underside to simulate a grimy
look.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Decals
The
decals are from Microscale (Foreign F-5’s: http://www.happyhobby.com/hobb_html/images/microscaledecal/DECAL-48-54.jpg
) and were provided to me by a fellow modeler who answered my plea.
Champ setting solution was used to help the decals conform
better to the model’s surface. The
number on the tail as well as the wing ‘do-not walk markings came from the kit
decals with the tail number simply
being over-painted in flat white (while still on the sheet) to reflect the color
used on VNAF aircraft.
This
was a very straightforward, hassle-free build.
The
model represents an F-5A Freedom Fighter as used by the South Vietnamese Air
Force (VNAF).
Happy
Modeling!
Rick
References
-
Northrop
F-5/F-20/T-38, Warbird Tech Series, Specialty Press, Vol. 44 (2006)
-
VNAF
Webisite: http://vnaf.net/
-
F-5 Tigers Over Vietnam, Anthony J. Tambini, Branden Publishing Co. (2000)
Click on
images below to see larger images
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