VnAF F-5A ‘Freedom Fighter’
Hey folks, my most recent (two hours ago) completed project - The 1:48 Kinetic F-5A/C 'Freedom Fighter'.
Mostly the kit was an easy and rewarding build - I say mostly as the fit of the intakes was laughable, not so much as a gap at the rear, more of a 'yawning chasm' - however, I've wanted a 1:48 F-5 in this exact scheme since I saw a 1:72 model at the UK Nationals when it was held in Stoneleigh !, yes I'm that patient.
On the shelf it looks very comfortable alongside my other Vietnam builds and I'm really pleased with the final result. Would I build another ?, well probably a two-seater with a full load of three drop tanks like we used to see at the Mildenhall shows back in the day. Please feel free to ask any questions, make any comments or criticisms.
AFN, next something in 1:72.
Ian.
Ian, beautifully done! That the Kinetic? Amazing the amount of ordinance one of them can carry.
Hi Bernard, good to hear from you... Yep, they were superb wee 'bomb trucks', and I deliberately kept the loadout 'light; !
Ian.
While your pics are a bit distant, dark and don't reveal much about close detail, from what I can see the building and finish look overall Very, very nice. Cool subject too...
Cheers,
Stan
Very nice lookin' bird, Ian...I like that - a lot. Pics look fine to me. 🙂
Looks very clean, Ian, but still nicely busy, there's lots to look at.
Nice build, Ian!
A real STUNNER. I also have this one in the stash. Thanks for the warning about the intakes!
Great-looking F-5! The checks and SVN markings add some nice color to the SEA scheme.
I like it. Those complicated disruptive paint schemes there, not easy to pull off. Getting the color values and paint intensities and all that other nomenclature of painting stuff takes time and a lot patience. In the end it works. Two thumbs up Ian. Looking forward to seeing your next build.
Always loved the Freedom Fighter and excellent overall finish 🙂
Thanks everybody, great response, really appreciated.
If you want to see what I meant about the "yawning chasm", then have a look here:
http://www.kiwimodeller.com/index.php/forum/conflict-vietnam/31616-f-5a-freedom-fighter-vnaf?limitstart=0
I built this one for the Vietnam GB over at Kiwi Modeller (one of my other modelling 'homes'). As mentioned in my description at the top of the page, other than this, the build went together really easily, I would recommend the Eduard Zoom set for the cockpit tho' - the kit 'pit is a generic one, not quite correct for an early A/C, or a NF/CF-5 sort-of a mix of all versions.
AFN, next something a little way out of my comfort zone - a 1:72 WWII bomber.
Ian.
Ian, how 'bout a nice PE-8? I was gonna say TB-3, but that's cruel and unusual punishment!
Ha ! - It's already built and this morning, I had a meeting cancel-out so was able to start on the decals.
You'll see it in around a week, Bernard.
Ian.
Ian, really nice looking build. Well done !
Nice "Vietnam" era build!
Hello Ian,
Also in real life I always liked the looks of this sturdy AC.
You finished your model to a very high standard. (Also the underside).
Regards, Dirk/The Netherlands.