Norwegian F-5A Freedom Fighter
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/0/9/9/1276099-31078-56-720.jpg)
New project on the bench
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/1/0/0/1276100-31078-85-720.jpg)
Dry fitting the cockpit. The pilot is from a Revell F-16 kit, but differences from a F-5 pilot is hard to spot in 1/72 scale.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/9/4/8/1276948-31078-86-720.jpg)
It starts to look like a F-5. The kit needed a little bit of filler, but nothing major. The biggest challenge is the tail where you will have a significant gap. I filled it with styrene strips and rescribed the panel line. Next step is a coat of primer to reveal where the kit need more filler/sanding. So far the kit has been enjoyable.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/9/4/9/1276949-31078-76-720.jpg)
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/4/9/1/1278491-31078-41-720.jpg)
A bit of paint. I discovered I have some more work to do at the wing root.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/4/9/2/1304492-31078-11-720.jpg)
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/4/9/3/1304493-31078-43-720.jpg)
Building and most of the basic painting is done. I used pieces of Evergreen styrene rods for the guns since the ones supplied with the hit have some nasty seam lines and flash.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/5/5/3/1304553-31078-73-720.jpg)
Canopy is masked and glued. Drop tank painted and glued. Some detail painting done to the engines. I´m close to the decal stage.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/3/5/3/1305353-31078-67-720.jpg)
Started the decaling process. The decals are of good quality, but the insignia colors are to light. Both the red and blue should have been much darker.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/8/6/6/1305866-31078-54-720.jpg)
Slowly getting there. All decals are one, some weathering using Tamiya panel wash, some light blue oils and a post shading with heavily thinned white paint
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/5/7/8/1311578-31078-60-720.jpg)
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/5/7/9/1311579-31078-85-720.jpg)
Finished my F-5A
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/5/8/0/1311580-31078-21-720.jpg)
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/5/8/1/1311581-31078-55-720.jpg)
Komentarzy
64 3 August 2022, 14:59
![](/profiles/img/31078-196-s.jpg)
Just started a new project. The Italeri 1/72 scale F-5 was a no brainer when it comes with cool Norwegian markings. This Italeri kit is old, but still arguably the best F-5 in this scale, according to «experts». I guess I will find out if they are right… So far it looks pretty good for a 1983 tooled kit.
3 August 2022, 15:07
![](/profiles/img/41967-490-s.jpg)
Watching this with great interest, I got this kit today, had to buy it as it comes with cool dutch markings as well, representing an aircraft from Gilze Rijen, during the time my late father worked on these F5s.
The old Esci molds are still looking great , even today.
26 August 2022, 20:51
![](/profiles/img/17422-305-s.jpg)
Oh wow, she looks great with those flashy wings. Great work Erik!
20 September 2022, 05:47
![](/profiles/img/31078-196-s.jpg)
Finally finished this build. As mentioned it is a pretty good kit for a 1983 tooling. Italeri should have done a better job with the decals, the color should be darker. Otherwise I´m happy.
28 September 2022, 19:43