RF-20 Super Tigereye; Another FAR conversion

[Captain Canada]

I dig your peace loving, Rastafarian inspired red wool F-20 Brad !



I had never noticed the difference in the intakes before ! I guess I should be paying more attention eh ! And on that note, is it just me, or does the artwork on the Mono F-20 box make it look like a delta wing ?

Hmmmm.......

[FAR148]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support

New project, cool.

But, forgive me for asking.  Wouldn't have been easier to just add the nose from the RF-5 to the F-20 instead of the tail to the RF?

Yeah it would be and I had that same idea when I had first had the idea for this project. That changed as soon as I saw the RF-5 kit. AFV did a amazing job. It's a gem with a tons of beautiful detail, which I want to keep as much of it as I can.

Cheers,
Steven L  

[Sauragnmon]

I still say you should hold onto the other halves of both birds and do something with them as well.. the other side of the flip could be interesting, really.

[Daryl J.]

I'll echo Steven and agree with his view of the AFB F-5 series.  They are positively gorgeous.    It is the only kit I have ever thought of removing detail to ''improve'' the kit.   

I still say you should hold onto the other halves of both birds and do something with them as well.. the other side of the flip could be interesting, really.

Yup.   

[FAR148]

I still say you should hold onto the other halves of both birds and do something with them as well.. the other side of the flip could be interesting, really.

I fear there wouldn't be much of the F-20 once this project is over. What's left of her may go into the parts box. I've already cannibalized the instrument panel, cowl that covers instrument panel, splitter plates and intakes...



Until next time,
Steven L 

[Captain Canada]

That AFV kit does look awesome.....

[Sauragnmon]

Hmm... I see your point on that, but then, who knows what else might have been replaced on the other planes.  Could leave it open as a potential Phoenix if you feel the motivation, and have enough concept parts, after the build...

[Old Wombat]

I still say you should hold onto the other halves of both birds and do something with them as well.. the other side of the flip could be interesting, really.

I fear there wouldn't be much of the F-20 once this project is over. What's left of her may go into the parts box. I've already cannibalized the instrument panel, cowl that covers instrument panel, splitter plates and intakes...

If you were Sci Fi inclined; those left-overs look like they could easily become something Star Wars-ish!



Guy

[Father Ennis]

Old Wambat is right. Last night I was checking out the Fantastic Plastic website and saw something quiet like you parts. It was the Viper jet from the Caprica TV series.  Quite inspiring.

[FAR148]

If you were Sci Fi inclined; those left-overs look like they could easily become something Star Wars-ish!

Now all I see is some sort of X-wing

Here's a small update....

The next big step is intakes. Do I change the RF-5 intake to look like the F-20's or graft on the F-20's    The F-20 intakes have larger openings and the splitter plates is totally different from the RF-5s. After some time trying to figure how to make the RF-5 intakes into look alike F-20 intakes, I figure just build and graft the F-20 intakes on. So the F-20 intakes are in 3 parts, the splitter plate, upper and lower intake. There is a small vent on the upper intake which I want to save. So after the intake were all together, I cut them off the F-20 fuselage just behind the small vent. Now with the new intakes in hand, I can eyeball where I got to cut the RF-5 intakes off and fit the new intakes. In the pic below, you can see the RF-5 intakes removed and the F-20's all sanded and ready to be glued into place. I also glued and fitted the wings to the fuselage.



Here she is with her new F-20 intakes glued and fitted.





I want to reposition the tail planes, so with my razor saw, I remove them. Later I will add a piece of aluminum tubing to the fuselage and tail plane. After looking at the kits nozzle, I decided to replace it. The F-20 was powered by a single General Electric F404 engine. Guess what else is powered by a single 404, the JAS-39! so I order Aires closed nozzle for the JAS-39. Another jem. Molded and cast beautifully    Only some minor cutting and sanding to get it to mate up with the F-20. It's not glued into place yet, just mocked up for photo.



Still more to come!
Steven L 

[Leading Observer]

 

[Captain Canada]

Beauty. How do you make it all look so easy ?

[PR19_Kit]

Those various bits look as if they jumped into position all by themselves! Magic stuff there.  

[kerick]

The engine exhaust cone is a great idea. Have you considered a paint scheme yet?

[FAR148]

Thanks guys

How do you make it all look so easy ?

Looks are deceiving   It took a lot of work, I should say it took a lot of sanding to get her to this point. Getting the F-20 tail to match up took about 10 hours (+-2), the intakes this past weekend took about 8 hours(about 4 per intake). And I'm still fill pin holes! 

The engine exhaust cone is a great idea. Have you considered a paint scheme yet?

Yeah, it's really going to dress up the rear end nicely. As for paint scheme...... No, nothing sat in stone.  I've been all over the map.  I would like to do a Tiger Meet scheme of some sort. Here's a few that I like 

http://www.airshows.co.uk/reports/overseas/2008/nato-tiger-meet/photos/nato-tiger-meet-16.jpg
http://www.amv83.fr/Asm/Sig/europe/northeurope/Norway%20F5A%20Tiger%20Meet%2095-3.jpg
Would love to this one...
http://www.air-passion.be/fas/engine/albums/reports/NATO%20Tiger%20Meet%202006/14_LEAB060928_Mirage_2000C_115_12-YM_GD_1538.jpg

I even thought about something clean and simple like this..
http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_F-5Es_Armed_Swiss_lg.jpg

Even been toying with the idea of some sort of special anniversary scheme. This is what inspired that idea...
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Belgium---Air/General-Dynamics-(SABCA)/2411558/L/&sid=f862044a452f5d2ea8da5260b670a18d

I do know I want to try to do come custom dry transfer but  need to find a place that will do small orders and not want an arm & leg. We'll see 

Thanks for watching,
Steven