SPA Modeler

I dig me some F-5F and am fairly excited about this kit, however, looks like another case of new decals and a new box and it's a "new release". If I've done my proper research, this kit was originally released in 1982. I'm sure, that in 1982, this kit could have been called great. It's all relative! At this point, the kit is showing its age with the raised panel lines and slightly detailed gear bays. The pilots cockpit tub and IP have molded detail, which is not bad...but the back seaters tub has no detail, aside from the IP.





Both sprues come in one bag, along with the separately bagged clear parts (had a couple loose parts in this sample).
Even with the clear parts being in their own little bag, there's a nice scratch along the pilots canopy, and there is also a weird, warped look to it. I believe there's an inconsistency in the thickness that gives that look. The other two clear parts are "OK".



Just four simple steps, to an F-5!!!



Decals look real nice!



Four marking options.
Schweizer Luftwaffe, Fliegerstaffel 15. Switzerland...which is the one I'll be doing.



The other three are U.S. Agressors...VMFT-401 "Snipers" (USMC)...VFC-111 "Sun Downers", and VFC-13 "Saints".

That's a really nice looking Kit Fermis. I do like the F-5 series of aircraft, they really are smart looking beasties.



I only have the old Matchbox F-5B in the stash - not sure what to do with it tohugh as I have no decals- perhaps I'll whiff it.

I've sent this link to Hobbico and our contact, Natalie, is following along. This should be available on their website and social media.

Step 1 covers the cockpit and fuselage...



The basic components of the pit...



The seats are done in side/side halves, leaving a seam up the middle. I know this is supposed to be completely OOB...and had there been pilot figures, I would have used them to hide the seam. Instead, I used some Tamiya tape to make the seat cushion and hide the the seam up the back rest. Also, used tape to make basic harnesses.



All painted up and closed in the fuselage...







You can see in one of the pics, that the front IP sits a little low...that is 100% my own fault. The front tub mounts to the upper fuselage half, while the rear tub mounts to the bottom half. I glued the tubs in place, then glued the fuselage halves together....I added the seats afterwards. I pushed down a little too hard on the front seat, pushing the front tub down a little bit. It WAS a good fit, before I messed it up. Otherwise, everything has been a decent fit, thus far.

Step two cover tail, intakes, canopy and some misc. bits.
The tail should have a flat piece on top. It is not mentioned in the instructions, but I did find what I believe to be the proper piece...#47. I was planning to go with the canopy open...however, there is supposed to be a piece between the front and rear canopy...again, not mentioned in the instructions, and no part on the sprues.

You can see the part on this example (mostly red)


So...I closed 'er up.



Also of note...The nose of the kit comes to a point. It should have a bit of "duck bill" shape to it. (This could easily be sanded to the proper shape though).



Still...no real issues with fit and things are moving along with very little hassle.

More magnificent work Fermis. This looks like it is almost falling together. Nice job!

So, I got this sucker painted and attached more items than I normally would before the gloss and decals.
I deviated slightly from the instructions by going with orange for the fuel tank and installing only one missile on the tip rail.

This is "3210"...the model I am building.



I also found pics of it with a grey tank, and variations on the missile. Most pics I came across showed only one missile, and there were some to the right, some to the left. I went with the left, as that is the side to be displayed.





The gear bay detail is ok, for the scale, but the gears themselves aare a bit "heavy"....especially the nose gear forks.

...will get better pics on down the line....lighting completely blows out the camo.

Looking good Fermis!

Calling it finished.
After a dull coat, I just lightly brushed on some black pastel chalk to help pick out the raised panel lines a bit (think dry-brushing).












Overall...I can't complain about the fit, no real issues there. Decals went on just fine, although they were just a hair breadth out of register. Some parts were missing from the instructions (antennas, lumps and bumps), but the parts are on the sprues. Minor accuracy issues, such as the nose shape and the area at the leading edge wing root. I guess you get about what you'd expect out of a kit that had its molds made in 1982.

For me, personally...Had I purchased this, it would have likely sat in the stash for years, maybe included in a trade or sale, or if the gumption struck, I'd rescribe, scratch up new gears and cockpit, and correct the nose and wingroot leading edge. Being that I obligated myself to build it, I built it...it looks like an F-5F sitting on my shelf and the price was right!
My favorite part of this was the boxart...it's pretty dang cool! Most disappointing part...short of scratchbuilding or aftermarket, there's no option to load this model out, to depict it as the boxart shows.

Many thanks, Fermis! Another beautiful piece of work. You proved it isn't always the model, but the modeler that makes great work.