Matchbox 1/72 Northrop F-5A

Matchbox 1/72 Northrop F-5A PK-12 was first released in 1972. A simple and sharp looking kit that took the modeling world by storm, well for someone who was 13 years old back then. But to be honest, a lot of my paper route adult customers who built model kits back then sure loved them too, including my chemistry teacher.

A little history:
The F-5 was a supersonic fighter that combined low cost, ease of maintenance and great versatility. The U.S. Air Force procured more than 2,000 of these aircraft for use by allied nations. The F-5 first flew in July 1959, and was delivered to the Tactical Air Command for instructing foreign pilots which began in April 1964. Pilots from Iran and South Korea were the first to be trained in the F-5, followed by pilots from Norway, Greece, Taiwan, Spain and other Free World nations that adopted the F-5. A two-place combat trainer version, the F-5B, first flew in February 1964.

In October 1965, the USAF began a five-month combat evaluation of the F-5A titled Skoshi Tiger. A total of 12 aircraft were delivered for trials to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, which combat tested the F-5 in Vietnam in 1965-1967. The 4503rd TFS later was re-designated the 10th Fighter (Commando) Squadron in March 1966. In October 1966 the 10th F(C)S began training South Vietnamese pilots to fly F-5s and later turned its aircraft over to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) in June 1967.

The build:
This was a relaxed build I started this past December and when 2024 rolled in I put this build away for another time. Last week this came back to life and I got it done.

I gave this kit a few minor tweaks:
I made an instrument panel for the cockpit, the two air scoops for the rear top side of the fuselage and guns. Shimmed the big gap between the bottom of the rudder and the rear part of the fuselage. I used a broken end of a sewing needle for the pitot probe on the nose. The decals were missing so I used an old ESCI set. Painted in the Southeast Asia scheme.

I was not too happy with how the finish of the painting looked after I was done but once I let this go in my head it turned out just fine. So all and all a fun build!

9 additional images. Click to enlarge.