Crimea_River
Marshal
Username: Crimea River
Name: Andy
Category 1 Advanced
Model: CF-5A Freedom Fighter
Scale: 1:48
Manufacturer: Monogram
Aftermarket add ons: Belcher Bits Decals, tons of scratchbuilding
Well, it's taken me some time to build up the courage to do this one. With thanks to Wiki:
Originally designed by Northrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, the F-5 was intended for use by air forces that had limited resources and technical expertise to maintain a sophisticated aircraft. For Canada, which had an extensive aerospace industry, selection of the F-5 was seen as a step backwards and soon received the derisive RCAF nicknames, "Tinkertoy" or the "Supersonic Tinkertoy." Selected originally to provide a tactical support role based in Canada, the CF-5 was also committed to NATO's northern flank to act a rapid-deployment force. However, the role for the CF-5 throughout its service with the RCAF was changed frequently and eventually, the diminutive fighter would serve as a light attack strike fighter, reconnaissance platform and trainer. Initially 433 Squadron and 434 Squadron were the only two squadrons to operate the CF-5. It was intended that three squadrons would fly the aircraft, but due to budgetary restrictions, the excess aircraft were put into storage in CFB North Bay and CFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for the CF-104, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at a moment's notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved to CFB Bagotville with 433 squadron, for a short time, and then on to CFB Chatham.
The training role was adopted by 419 Squadron in CFB Cold Lake; it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training (wearing quasi-Soviet "aggressor" paint schemes similar to USAF, USN and USMC F-5Es), and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for the CF-18 until the aircraft was retired in 1995.
I'll do one of two paint schemes below but am leaning toward the 419 Sqdn bird with Ghost camo and Agressor Markings.
This will be a severe kitbash which I'll describe in more detail in threads that follow. In fact, to do this model justice, I'm not sure that I'll get it done before the end of this GB but will give it a go any way. Stay tuned.
Name: Andy
Category 1 Advanced
Model: CF-5A Freedom Fighter
Scale: 1:48
Manufacturer: Monogram
Aftermarket add ons: Belcher Bits Decals, tons of scratchbuilding
Well, it's taken me some time to build up the courage to do this one. With thanks to Wiki:
Originally designed by Northrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, the F-5 was intended for use by air forces that had limited resources and technical expertise to maintain a sophisticated aircraft. For Canada, which had an extensive aerospace industry, selection of the F-5 was seen as a step backwards and soon received the derisive RCAF nicknames, "Tinkertoy" or the "Supersonic Tinkertoy." Selected originally to provide a tactical support role based in Canada, the CF-5 was also committed to NATO's northern flank to act a rapid-deployment force. However, the role for the CF-5 throughout its service with the RCAF was changed frequently and eventually, the diminutive fighter would serve as a light attack strike fighter, reconnaissance platform and trainer. Initially 433 Squadron and 434 Squadron were the only two squadrons to operate the CF-5. It was intended that three squadrons would fly the aircraft, but due to budgetary restrictions, the excess aircraft were put into storage in CFB North Bay and CFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for the CF-104, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at a moment's notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved to CFB Bagotville with 433 squadron, for a short time, and then on to CFB Chatham.
The training role was adopted by 419 Squadron in CFB Cold Lake; it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training (wearing quasi-Soviet "aggressor" paint schemes similar to USAF, USN and USMC F-5Es), and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for the CF-18 until the aircraft was retired in 1995.
I'll do one of two paint schemes below but am leaning toward the 419 Sqdn bird with Ghost camo and Agressor Markings.
This will be a severe kitbash which I'll describe in more detail in threads that follow. In fact, to do this model justice, I'm not sure that I'll get it done before the end of this GB but will give it a go any way. Stay tuned.
Looking forward to see how this one progresses.
