Northrop FA-5K

[Weaver]

Second model I started but first I've finished since getting back into it, thanks to this place.. 

Northrop FA-5K light strike aircraft, based on the real N-300-A5 concept, which was F-5E based.





















Kit: Matchbox CF-116/F-5B

Mods: Wings moved to shoulder position, underwing "pallet" angled downwards and faired into sheet styrene panel to make new undercarriage bay, with main gear and arrestor hook from Airfix F-5E. Nose angled downwards. Laser pod from Hasegawa Hind fitted under nose. Scratchbuilt RWR fairing. Seat and cockpit tub nicked from Airfix F-5E. Flare pods from Minitanks 1/87th M60A2 smoke dischargers.

Stores: Sidewinders and centreline pylon from Airfix F-5E. Two extra wing pylons from another Matchbox F-5B. Rb-05 missiles from Airfix Viggen with laser noses from 1/87th traffic cones set. ECM pod scratchbuilt from hexagonal sprue & sheet. Laser targetting pod turned from sprue in drill. Chaff pod nose from Airfix Phantom 1000lb bomb, rest of body, cartridge rails and big cartridges scratchbuilt from various styrene sections, small cartridges are Minitanks 1/87th gun simlators.

Paint: "Norwegian Splinter" inspired by Skjold FAC. Car primer white, Humbrol Stone and Humbrol Light grey. Kit decals.

Good bits: all the actual Whif stuff went well.

Bad bits: all caused by the poor original kit or bad materials (canopy didn't fit, masking tape screwed paint up etc..)

Effects of 1-week time limit: a) it got done, which would have been highly unlikely otherwise, b) ventral strakes, elaborate u/c, custom decals & better laser-nose all got canned for lack of time, c) had to call time on fixing screwed-up finish.

Mistakes: plenty.......


Build thread here: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,20694.0.html

Paint inspiration:

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Excellent wee build, really like that. Nice kit to ease your way back with. Always a good idea to start with something simple to build your skills back up.

Kudos to you, sir 

Ian

[sotoolslinger]

Love the paintjob, considering the trials and tribulations you really pulled that off well

[Captain Canada]

What a little beauty ! Great job on that one, Weaver ! I had no idea of this concept. The new wing location is just too cool, and really changes the look. That last pic of her reminds me of that Japanese F.1 or whatever it's called....the Jaguar knock-off.

[SPINNERS]

Nice one Weaver but where's the Cheshire markings?!

[gunfighter]

Hey, I thought this was about a RAF Vigilante...  . Indeed I bought a very cheap RA-5C ( maybe from trumpeter) last week, and I was considering a RN bird, let´s say, Falklands era. Neat looking F5 anyway...

[Weaver]

Nice one Weaver but where's the Cheshire markings?!

It was for the 1-week GB so since I've never actually printed my own decals, I decided to minimise the risks and use the ones in the kit. Had it not been for the 1-week GB, I might well have done it as a Patchwork World job (wouldn't have been Cheshire though, they use the Avro Atom (727 sort-of derivative) as a light fighter).