Tigershark . . . with a twist

[Shasper]

Ever since the thawing of relations between the Peoples Republic of China & the US during the 1970s has resulted in a scaling back of (in both quantity & quality) all arms shipments to the Republic of China on Taiwan. During the late '70s the RoCAF had requested US F-16s to replace their F-104s, but instead were given additional F-5s. Northrup had offered their F-20 with licensed production rights to AIDC, but under the existing US export rules the F-20 could not be sold in it's most advanced form.





Northrup then offered a downgraded F-20 with the radar & fire control systems from the F-5E. This was found to be acceptable & 72 F-20A(E)s were delivered to Taiwan starting in 1982. These aircraft were fitted with one 20mm cannon with 330 rounds of ammunition, the ALR-45 RWS (installed in a fintip pod) & a A-4 style dragchute housing immediately aft of the arresting hook.





All aircraft finished in a striking wraparound camo that would be seen later on the AIDC Ching-Kuo.
Normal air defense load-out would be a pair of AIM-7E/H Sparrows & either 2-4 AIM-9J/L Sidewinders 





After the standard F-20 was cleared for export to Taiwan in 1985 the F-20A(E)s were eventually upgraded to production standard by AIDC, with the last aircraft returned to RoCAF service in 1990.





So, after 3 tries at the camo & over a year of off-n-on building this one is *finally* DONE!

[anthonyp]

All aircraft finished in a striking wraparound camo that would be seen later on the AIDC Ching-Kuo.

I agree, that is striking!  Look good on any aircraft:



Really nice work on this one, Bud!   

[Sauragnmon]

Quite a nice end result, Bud.  Tony, she looks good too.

[Taiidantomcat]

Well done!! 

[ElectrikBlue]

Nicely done Shasper!   And I like the idea of the single gun!

[Shasper]

Thx guys, took me long enough to finish this one, now if only I had the time & skill to finish it's PLAAF cousin . . .

[Sauragnmon]

Shouldn't be too hard, you could opt for the clean show white scheme... or are you going to load her for TacAir and give her something like Scaly Lizard?

[Shasper]

*sigh* If only it were a matter of paint . . . PSR on the mods alone gives me the whillys! See for yourself:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,13627.0/highlight,flying+shark.html