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Paulo Castro
42 articles

F-5E_VFC-111 Sundowners (Dream Model 1/72)

Well! Not a but quite the opposite. I was tricked by assuming that this new release would be a better kit than the Hobby Boss I had built before. For my surprise, it was very similar to the Hobby Boss kit but with an increased price (call it a overpriced HB).

I was very disappointed since the kit details are similar to the HB, the fit was terrible overall, panel lines are missing altogether or in the wrong place, just to give you an idea one side of the tail had the panel lines scribed but the other side doesn't! Before starting the kit I bought a Master metal pitot tube and 3D printed (pre-painted) instrument panel and ejection seat. Kind of waste of money for this kit. I also scratch built the canopy opening structure.

Reader reactions:
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21 additional images. Click to enlarge.


12 responses

  1. Very nice job on this one too.

  2. Despite the dissapointment, the result is superb, Paulo @armouredsprue
    Great result on this camouflage scheme.

  3. You battled through all the shortfalls of the kit Paulo to present a great looking F-5. Nice one 👍

  4. Superb result indeed, Paulo!

  5. Well - I have this kit too, so feel like I've been forewarned! Yours turned out great!

    • Hi Greg
      Maybe your kit is better batch. On mine in one the fuselage panel line stopped and started in a position upper to the original one and then disappeared. I hope you have a better kit. May the force be with you

  6. Great looking Tiger, Paulo. One of my favourite jets and even better when done as the Adversary Squadron.
    I do have the HBoss kit and I also the the old Esci/Italeri kits.
    Sounds like I should just stick to those kits, Thank you very much.

    • Hi mate
      For me the Italeri is still the best one if you have ghe patience to re-scribe it. Otherwise th HB is the same kit as the dream model but cheaper. I heard there is a new company about to release a F-5E 1/72 but it has been promised for years and nothing yet.

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