Classic Airframes 1/48 scale F-5A Freedom Fighter

Kit: No. 485
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Classic Airframes, P.O. Box 577580, Chicago, IL 60657-7580, 773-883-8888, www.classicairframes.com
Price: $50
Comments: Multimedia, 85 parts (68 injection-molded, 17 cast resin), decals
Pros: Much-needed subject, very good resin parts, good fit overall, good ordnance selection
Cons: No seat harness, some decals disintegrated, fin too thick, wheels too wide for F-5A

The Northrop F-5 series of fighters was developed from the successful T-38 trainer program in the early 1960s. The initial versions, F-5A and two-seat F-5B, were meant to be simple, inexpensive, and effective combat aircraft that could be license-built by many smaller countries and used by their air forces. The F-5 saw combat in Vietnam under the "Skoshi Tiger" program and was later used by the VNAF in large numbers.

The plastic parts are molded in glossy dark gray styrene with recessed panel details, some indistinct and uneven. The resin parts are nicely detailed and similar to - and in some cases identical to - the resin parts in the Sword T-38 kit (see my review in the January 2004 FSM). The seat has no harness detail, but the parachute pack is included; the pack was worn by the pilot and strapped to the seat in early F-5s.

The trailing edges of the wings are commendably thin, but the leading and trailing edges of the vertical stabilizer are thick. The resin parts like the nose-wheel well and the cockpit fit well, but take care locating the nose-wheel well as there is no positive locating device. The resin main-wheel well parts include the speed brake cavity, but it doesn't fit well to the styrene wings and fuselage, resulting in gaps that require filler. The resin exhaust nozzles are nicely done, but the parachute housing was missing its cover; I made one from sheet styrene.

You get a good variety of ordnance, including Mk.117 750-pound bombs, napalm canisters, a centerline fuel tank, "peanut" wing-tip tanks, and optional wing-tip Sidewinders. The missiles are especially well done with separate fins featuring the "rollerons." I was impressed by the small sprue attachment points - a feature not usually found on limited-run kits.

Assembly was straightforward. One minor irritation: The horizontal stabilizers have no locating devices. Also, I had to trim the wings' locating tabs to get them to fit in their slots. The main-wheel well and wing/fuselage joints needed filler. I had to restore panel detail on the fuselage seams and peanut tanks after sanding seams. The afterburner cans needed some sanding to fit better into the shrouds that hold them in place. The main landing gear wheels and tires are too wide compared to reference photos.

The markings choices include USAF, Spanish Air Force, and the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF), the scheme I chose. The Microscale decals respond well to solvents, but my sample sheet was defective; when wet, some of the items separated, probably due to missing their clear-carrier film. Also, the walkway lines on the wings needed to be trimmed a little to avoid overlapping the peanut tanks. The clear canopy parts fit well into the recessed area on the fuselage.

With a little work, an experienced modeler will make a great model from Classic Airframes' kit. I spent 25 hours on mine. Be ready for decal troubles, though. I suggest applying Microscale's Liquid Decal Film over each item to ensure the images stay together.

- Randy Dieck