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David Mills
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Northrop F-20 Tigershark – 1/72 Hasegawa

July 18, 2017 · in Aviation · · 13 · 2.8K

The F-20 was of course the last of the famous Northrop F-5 line.

Regrettably the F-20 did not go into production despite being a superb aircraft

In 1983/4 the RNZAF sent a team to the USA to evaluate the F- 20 as a possible replacement for its A-4K Skyhawks and decided it was a superb aircraft. However in line with a number of other small air forces the RNZAF was reluctant to order the F-20 if it was not going to be in service with the USAF.

The F-5 is one of my favourite aircraft and the F-20 also. It must be one of the best fighters never to see service.

This is what the F-20 might have looked like if it had gone into service with the RNZAF.

The paint scheme is the 'lizard' scheme variant of the SEA scheme. The paints used are Humbrol and Tamiya.

The kit is super and goes together very nicely and I would recommend it

I found the idea for the build on the internet and thought it was a cool one.

I have the Freedom Models 1/48 in the stash and it is on the list sometime soon

It would have been a great build for the , but it was finished last year!

How often does that happen!

Thanks for looking!

Dave

Reader reactions:
2  Awesome

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.


13 responses

  1. Very nice, David. I agree with what you said; "It must be one of the best fighters never to see service."

    That sums it up.

    Interesting project - well done.

    • Thank Jeffry I always thought the F-5 was a great 'design' where the designers got the airplane right rather than simply adding more and more technology!

  2. It may still "qualify" for the group build, David...I don't think it has to be a 'current' project.

  3. Nice build! Always liked this bird too. I think Monogram did a 1/48th also.

  4. Very nice! I have this same kit, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Even though I like the F-20, aircraft that never got into service are lower on the priority list for me generally, but coming up with a "what if" idea for a scheme makes the thought more appealing! Maybe one of the cool aggressor schemes of the F-5 family... Or an African air force of some kind - they often had cool schemes.

  5. The great thing about the F-20 is that, its all what if - no in service examples to impose limits - just your imagination - south east asia, middle east, south america, africa - the kit itself is a treat, only the exterior of the front of the cockpit tub requires a bit of thinning down - otherwise Hasegawa at their best - I have another in the stash - cheers

  6. Well-done model, David, of the sexiest jet on the planet.

  7. Hello David,
    Excellent finish on this famous aircraft.
    Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.

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