1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II" of the Latvian Air Force, 2010

Dizzyfugu · April 27, 2019, 08:38:40 AM

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The Latvian Air Force was first founded during the Latvian War of Independence in 1919. In 1939, the Aviation Regiment consisted of three fighter squadrons, armed with 24 Gloster Gladiator and 6 Bristol Bulldog (a fourth squadron was in organization), three reconnaissance squadrons, armed with up to 12 Letov Š-16LS, 2 Hawker Hind and 10 Stampe SV.5, and a naval reconnaissance squadron with 4 Fairey Seal and two other planes. The Soviet occupation in 1940 ended the activities of the Air Force. At that time there were almost 130 aircraft in service.

The post-Soviet Latvian Air Force was formed on 24 February 1992 at Spilve Airport. In August 1994, the air force moved to an ex-soviet Lielvārde Air Base. In the beginning of the new century two new and more heavy Mi-8MTV Hip helicopters were bought for search and rescue equipment duties, but they were also used for transportation of troops, evacuation and support of the Special Forces. In March 2004 Latvia joined NATO and the Ministry of Defense made the decision to improve the small country's air defense with a dedicated fighter squadron. The country also bought two more Mi-8MTV's at the Russian Ulan Ude helicopter (rework) factory that year, augmenting the SAR fleet.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In 2005, soldiers of the Air Force Air Defense Wing started a training course in order to prepare an upgraded air defense. At the same time, the Latvian Air Force commenced the modernization of the surface air defense capabilities by signing a contract regarding procurement of RBS-70 manpads missiles from Sweden and negotiated the purchase or leasing of 2nd hand Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Coming from a neutral country, the Gripen was the LAF's wish candidate for the new interceptor aircraft, but eventually Latvia could be convinced (primarily through the USA and with generous financial support thorugh the "Baltic Peace II" program) to buy eight F-5E fighters and two F-5F trainers with relatively low flying hours and in good overall condition from Switzerland. Besides the financial support, the type's ruggedness and relatively low maintenance costs led to this choice.

The Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II itself was part of a highly successful supersonic light fighter family, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for the day air superiority role, the aircraft was also a capable ground-attack platform.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

After winning the International Fighter Aircraft competition in 1970, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, higher fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for a better turn rate, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics including air-to-air radar. A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987, and the type is still in operational use in many countries round the world.

The Swiss F-5E airframes for Latvia were overhauled and the avionics suite modernized in 2006 and 2007 by SAI in Italy. Elbit Systems from Israel became the sub-contractor responsible for systems integration. Upgrades for the fighters included an Italian FIAR Grifo-F X band multi-mode radar with BVR (beyond-visual-range) missile and Look-down/shoot-down capabilities, making the modernized F-5E capable of deploying AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which were, together with AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, part of the Baltic Peace II support for Latvia. The new radar necessitated an enlarged radome for its scanner antenna, resulting in a duckbill shape. The fighters' port side M39 20 mm cannon was removed to make way for the additional avionics.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

All machines received a revamped cockpit with new MIL-STD-1553R databuses, a GEC/Ferranti 4510 Head-up display/weapons delivery system, two BAE Systems MED-2067 Multi-function displays, Litton LN-93 inertial navigation system and Hands On Throttle-And-Stick controls (HOTAS) to reduce pilot workload. Reportedly, the Elisra SPS2000 radar warning receiver and countermeasure system was also installed.

The modernization process was completed by early 2007 and the machines were re-designated F-5L/M. By late 2007, the Latvian air defense had become operational and worked closely together with its Baltic neighbors and the NATO forces that were frequently deployed to the Baltic NATO countries.
The small Latvian F-5 fleet is expected to remain in service until 2024, even tough, if there is sufficient funding, the machines will certainly be replaced beforehand by more capable models. The Saab Gripen is still a favored candidate, but F-16C/Ds from USAF stocks are a potential option, too.
By end of 2009, the LAF's Fighter Squadron moved to Lielvārde Air Base, in an attempt to ensure centralization of Air Force units and to establish an efficient command and control system, which will result in a reduction of the Air Force units' maintenance costs. With the Fighter Squadron the Air Force carries out Latvian airspace surveillance, control and defense and provides air defense support to the Land Forces units.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 47 ft 4¾ in (14.45 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Height: 13 ft 4½ in (4.08 m)
Wing area: 186 ft² (17.28 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 65A004.8 root, NACA 64A004.8 tip
Empty weight: 9,558 lb (4,349 kg)
Loaded weight: 15,745 lb (7,157 kg)
Max. take-off weight: 24,722 lb (11,214 kg)
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.02
Drag area: 3.4 ft² (0.32 m²)
Aspect ratio: 3.82
Internal fuel: 677 U.S. gal (2,563 L)
External fuel: up to 3× 275 U.S. gal (1,040 L) drop tanks

Powerplant:
2× General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet with 3,500 lbf (15.5 kN) dry thrust and 5,000 lbf (22.2 kN) thrust with afterburner each

Performance:
Maximum speed: 917 kn (Mach 1.6, 1,060 mph, 1,700 km/h) at altitude
Range: 760 nmi (870 mi, 1,405 km)
Ferry range: 2,010 nmi (2,310 mi, 3,700 km)
Service ceiling: 51,800 ft (15,800 m)
Rate of climb: 34,400 ft/min (175 m/s)
Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.0

Armament:
1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannon in the nose with 280 rounds
7 hardpoints (2× wing-tip AAM launch rails, 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations,
only pylon stations 3, 4 and 5 are wet-plumbed) with a capacity of 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg)

The kit and its assembly:
A relatively simple build, originally inspired by a Blue Rider decal sheet for Latvian Air Force aircraft that I had bought some time ago, as part of a vague plan to build a modern what-if aircraft for each of the young and small Baltic states' air forces. The first one had been a Lithuanian MiG-21, Estonia is still pending (even though there's a vague idea), and the Lithuanian interceptor was recently spawned when I bought an Italeri F-5E as part of a kit lot, even though it lacked box, decals and instructions and had a slight damage.

The Tiger II was built mostly OOB, the only changes I made are replaced wing tip launch rails (they were damaged beyond repair), I omitted port side cannon and created a modified "shark nose" radome, which was sculpted with putty; in real life, the enlarged radome for the upgraded radar is 33cm deeper than the original F-5E radome, even though the aircraft's overall length remained the same, as well as the nose profile. In order to make the model look a little less static I slightly lowered the slats and the flaps – easy to realize on this model. The leftover cannon received a better barrel, made from a hollow steel needle. The pair of AIM-120s and their respective launch rails come from a Hasegawa air-to-air weapons set. The ventral drop tank came from the kit.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Italeri F-5E is a simple affair and goes together well, even though the section ahead of the air intakes called for considerable PSR work – not certain if that's my fault or an innate flaw of the kit (which comes with an upper and lower fuselage half)? The raised panel lines are another weak point – the kit cannot conceal its age, and there are certainly better options today (e .g. from Hobby Boss).

Painting and markings:
I wanted something that would neither look too Western, nor a typical Soviet-style livery. The resulting paint scheme is purely fictional and was inspired by a grey North Korean MiG-21 and USAF aggressor schemes for F-5Es – both reminiscent of the Soviet "Pumpkin" paint scheme for export MiG-21s. For the choice of colors, the complex "Norm 81" scheme from German Luftwaffe F-4Fs had an influence.

The result became a primarily grey air superiority scheme with uniform light grey undersides (FS 36495, Humbrol 147) and light Ghost Grey (FS 36375, Humbrol 127) fuselage and fin. The wings' upper surfaces became mostly Dark Gull Grey (FS 36231, Testors 1740) and patches of the same tone were applied to the fuselage and the fin, too. On the wings' upper surfaces, some patches in a dull, greenish grey (Humbrol 111, Uniform Grey) were finally added in order to break the aircraft's outlines from above. The result somewhat reminds of German WWII camouflage, even though unintentionally.

The radome was painted in Revell 75 (Light Grey, with a brownish hue) to set it apart from the rest of the aircraft. Humbrol 140 was used for the cockpit interior. The landing gear became classic glossy white, while the air intake interior was painted in Humbrol 127, matching the aircraft's flanks. Only subtle post-shading and weathering was done.

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

As mentioned above, the Latvian air force markings came from a Blue Rider decal sheet. The tactical codes and the matching serial number come from a Begemot MiG-21sheet. Other fictional elements are the NATO emblem on the fin and a small squadron emblem on the nose, which is a vintage Polish air force motif.
Most stencils had to be salvaged from secondary sources, since the kit came without a decal sheet. Fortunately, I had a spare F-5E sheet left over from a Hobby Boss kit. As a final step, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri).

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Northrop F-5L "Tiger II"; aircraft "112 Black" (s/n 81-26112) of the Latvijas Gaisa spēki (Latvian Air Force, LAF) Fighter Squadron; Lielvārde Air Base, 2010 (Whif/Italeri kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

A rather simple project, but re-sculpting the nose was a tedious task. However, I am happy with the outcome and how the fictional paint scheme works. Together with the exotic Latvian roundels, this creates an interesting, if not plausible, look.

JayBee · April 27, 2019, 08:49:42 AM

Brilliant!

One small question, you state that they will be in service until 2024 but should be replaced by a more capable aircraft before then.
So what are you planning to build next week?

kerick · April 27, 2019, 09:15:34 AM

F-16C? F-18E? F-15E?
Gripen would be a logical choice but this is whiff world!

Dizzyfugu · April 27, 2019, 09:27:48 AM

The Gripen was actually my first choice for the Latvian air force, but the country and its air force is so small that I rather went for this low budget alternative of Swiss origin. But who knows what the successor might be...? Maybe some leased Gripen, or 2nd hand F-16Cs...?

Captain Canada · April 27, 2019, 10:41:36 AM

F-5s are so sexy. This one sure looks the part. Cheers !

Scotaidh · April 27, 2019, 12:13:14 PM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on April 27, 2019, 09:27:48 AM
The Gripen was actually my first choice for the Latvian air force, but the country and its air force is so small that I rather went for this low budget alternative of Swiss origin. But who knows what the successor might be...? Maybe some leased Gripen, or 2nd hand F-16Cs...?

What about some JA-37 Viggens? There's bound to be some of those spare somewhere, no?

Ian the Kiwi Herder · April 27, 2019, 01:49:30 PM

One of your very best. Love the concept and execution.

Just exceptional.

Ian.

Snowtrooper · April 27, 2019, 02:36:50 PM

Quote from: JayBee on April 27, 2019, 08:49:42 AM
Brilliant!

One small question, you state that they will be in service until 2024 but should be replaced by a more capable aircraft before then.
So what are you planning to build next week?

Second-hand Finnish F/A-18C's replaced by whatever gets chosen in the H-X competition?

Lovely model in any case, never enough Baltic planes!

Dizzyfugu · April 28, 2019, 01:49:51 AM

Thank you, glad you like it. Ex Finnish F-18s won't work well, since these are supposed to be strung out of their service life when they are replaced. And the Viggen...? Well, good idea, but it's a huge and costly aircraft. Remember that Latvia (like the other Baltic states) are small countries - with little need for long range aircraft and also without the budget to operate them. That's also the reason why I "gave" Lithuania a small MiG-21 fleet some time ago. Estonia is still on the agenda, though, and a (leased?) Gripen sounds good.

Scotaidh · April 28, 2019, 04:21:20 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on April 28, 2019, 01:49:51 AM
Thank you, glad you like it. Ex Finnish F-18s won't work well, since these are supposed to be strung out of their service life when they are replaced. And the Viggen...? Well, good idea, but it's a huge and costly aircraft. Remember that Latvia (like the other Baltic states) are small countries - with little need for long range aircraft and also without the budget to operate them. That's also the reason why I "gave" Lithuania a small MiG-21 fleet some time ago. Estonia is still on the agenda, though, and a (leased?) Gripen sounds good.

Good point about the cost of the Viggens ... Hawks, maybe? Or those Czech aircraft - the Aero L-159 Alca? Although I see the Czechs are using Gripens themselves, so that's maybe the best/most logical bet.

Dizzyfugu · April 29, 2019, 12:20:15 AM

Hawks, maybe with a radar in the nose and wing tip rails for Sidewinders, sounds good to me.

Scotaidh · April 29, 2019, 01:47:40 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on April 29, 2019, 12:20:15 AM
Hawks, maybe with a radar in the nose and wing tip rails for Sidewinders, sounds good to me.

Hmmm - sounds like a Whif to me ...

LOL