F-20A Tigershark

[comrade harps]

With the Socialist Union largely in control of Africa and the United Nations withdrawn to Africa's off-shore periphery, the limits of SU civilian maritime activity were bound to come into question sooner or later.

By 1989, with the backing of an African based blue water navy and long ranger combat aircraft like the new Flanker, the SU was ready to test the UN's resolve. Fishing fleets were the be the new socialist vanguard.



On the night of 12/13th March, 1989, an RAAF P-3C Orion crew spotted several SU trawlers in Madagascar's UN defined Exclusive Economic Zone. As the UN had made it quite clear that such a breach of sovereignty would be net with immediate force, at dawn an air attack was mounted by Madagascan F-20A Tigersharks, escorted by US Navy F-14C Tomcats.



Using their 500lb infra-red imaging guided GCS-1 bombs, the Tigersharks pilots of the MAF's 5 Sqd sunk 2 vessels and damaged and 3 without loss.  Meanwhile, the American Tomcat crews battled with Flanker pilots for the even loss of one each.



The Madagascan F-20s, like all production Tigersharks, were built by MAI, Mexican Aero Industries. They were unusual in having the air-refueling probe behind the pilot, requiring the pilot to use the mirrors mounted on the inside of the canopy frame to view contact with the drogue. It apparently took some getting used to.

[Damian2]

Nice camo!!   And I love the back story!!

[gooberliberation]

holy crap, that's beautiful!

[K5054NZ]

Rather nif-ty Comrade! Very nicely done! And that camo job - WOW! What kit, what scale?


Giving me some ideas for my F-20........... B)  

[Rafael]

Hey, I liiiiike that camo..., and the concept is appealing.

Beautiful!!

Rafa

[Archibald]

Lovely!! Nice paint sheme!  

[comrade harps]

I only build in 1:72nd. And it's the Hasegawa kit.

Thanks for the positive response, everyone.

I've got more models and photos to support the theme.

Later,

comrade harps

[Rafael]

OK. We'll wait!!!          

[nev]

Nice camo, kinda defines the word "disruptive"  B)  

[wolfik]

wow....my brain is full of new ideas seeing this camo  :dum:
great model!!!!

[anthonyp]

Oooooh, pretty...  I always dig blue camoed planes.  That makes the F-20 almost acceptable in GLORIOUS Soviet, er, Socialist markings.

ZA RODINA!!!!

[ysi_maniac]

Sure a five stars winner
         

[cthulhu77]

Yeah, that sure is disruptive !

[Archibald]

I only build in 1:72nd

Same thig for me... lack of space, lack of money !!!!

[Brian da Basher]

Wow Comrade Harps that is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Brian da Basher