NFWS Tiger: 1/48th Monogram F-5F Tiger II

Monogram's 1/48th scale aircraft typically contained good detail in few parts, all at a reasonable price. This 1985 release of their 1/48th Monogram F-5F Tiger II although now dated with its raised panel lines and comparatively simple components, is not up-to-grade with current kits, however it still has potential. The same plastic was re-issued in 1991 with photo-etched parts from Model Technologies which made a slight improvement.

Notable Kit Features:

• Nice raised detail in the cockpit instrument panels

• Simple kit with few parts

• Optional open or closed canopies

• Decent landing gear detail

• Open or closed air brakes

• Overload of tanks, gun-pods

• Boarding ladder provided
  

Build Inspiration:

The NFWS (Navel Fighter Weapons School... better known as Top Gun) Aggressors as well as their Air Force counterpart (the 57th Wing that forms the "Red" force of Red Flag ) have always had a special interest for me. I do like their "sports cars" with their off-beat, limited-run paint jobs. Therefore to compliment my single seat versions of the F-5, this "family edition" Aggressor was a good add-on to the local Hangar.

Heads-Up Report:

• Overly simplified kit (but still decent)

• Instrument panel is closer to USAF than Navy (Naval F-5's do not carry radar)

• Nothing stopping the see-through aspect between the open intakes and exhaust

• Rear fuselage venting doors are represented by raised panel lines

• Overly thick tank fins

• Left nose cannon barrel should be enlarged in diameter as it is actually an air intake

• Anti-sway braces are missing on center line store

• Canopies are overly thick

• Anti-collision lights are molded in regular plastic (not clear parts)
  

Kit Additions / Modifications:

• Removed radar scopes from instrument panels as Naval F-5's do not carry radar

• Blocked see-through intake to exhaust by adding black plastic card to interior

• Missed adding gun and air intake barrel (maybe I will still get around to that)

• Replaced pitot tube with steel pin
  

Finishing:

The paint scheme for the aircraft is a wrap-around of Brown (FS 30118), Sand (FS 30277), and Dark Euro Green (FS 34092). I have also seen references for the colours as Brown (FS 30140), Sand (FS 30400), and Dark Green (FS 34079), so see what suits you best. There was no paint weathering applied and although there are no panel lines, I did add a dark wash to the control surfaces to define them a bit better. Pretty basic build, in this case, using the Monogram supplied markings of the USN NFWS Aggressor.

The After-Build Report:

While this 1/48th Monogram F-5F Tiger II kit (Revell now has the molds) has been eclipsed, it is still a good simple build, typically at a very reasonable cost. Therefore if you are looking for a weekend build or a good base to produce a decent model, I would still recommend it. The other viable option is the much newer AFV Club kit (2011 release). This will be more complex to build (as well as being predictably more costly) with it's modular modular construction, however it offers engraved panel lines and finely raised surface features as well as better overall detail. The AFV kit may be quite up to Tamiya standards, but is does provide a plastic mold technology jump over the Monogram kit.

Completed build #104 - April 2009 using the 1/48th scale Monogram #5441 kit.

Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is suppose to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers