Northrop F-5 (F-5E) Tiger II "Snake" 1/72 Scale Diecast Metal Model by Hobby Master
$ 79.99
1:72 Scale Diecast Metal - Northrop F-5E Tiger II – Length: 8.5" Wingspan: 4.5”
This model is a single seat and includes a pilot figure. The canopy is not movable (it does not open and close). Instead, it includes two sets of canopies, one in the closed position and another in the opened position. It does includes a detailed landing gear as well as the covers of the wheel wells to give the appearance of in-flight. There is a stand included.
This model includes a number of optional attachments for the wings and fuselage. A pair of AA missiles are glued to the wing tips. The wings can carry a pair of bombs and air to ground missiles. There is one center line fuel tank.
This model represents 527th Agressor Sqn, Alconburry AB, England. Snake.
This is really a "no-play" model or a "display-only" model. It is mostly metal and very heavy. It also has a number of antennas which look great but are very fragile. If you have small kids that like to play with your models, save yourself some frustration (and money) and wait till later to get a model like this one. The box is labeled as not suitable for children under 14.
The box measures 8 inches by 8 inches by 4 inches.
The Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family ofsupersonic Light fighter, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for the day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies. Though the USAF had no acknowledged need for a light fighter, it did procure roughly 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.
After winning the International Fighter Aircraft competition in 1970, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, higher fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for a better turn rate, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics including air-to-air radar. Primarily used by American allies, it was also used in US training exercises. A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987. More than 3,800 F-5 and T-38 aircraft were produced in Hawthorne, California.[4]
The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance version, the RF-5 Tigereye. The F-5 also served as a starting point for a series of design studies which resulted in theNorthrop YF-17 and the F/A-18 navalized fighter aircraft. The Northrop F-20 Tigershark was an advanced variant to succeed the F-5E which was ultimately canceled when export customers did not emerge. The F-5N/F variants are in service with the United States Navy andUnited States Marine Corps as an adversary trainer.[5] Approximately 500 aircraft are still in service as of 2014.[6][N 1]
