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RAF Mach 2 trainer


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With the advent of faster aircraft such as TSR2 and P.1154 into service, the need for proper, early high Mach training, especially at lower levels was being appreciated by the late 70's. 
By the 80's the search had been narrowed down to a version of the F-5 that Northrop were developing.  With a single engine, and modern avionics, it would be ideal, if they made a 2 seater version.
Thankfully, to secure sales, and as part of a package, which included some single seat ground attack variants, the F-20, as it became known, entered service as the RAFs first true Mach 2 trainer.
Seen here in 4FTS colours, RAF Valley.

 

Kit, Freedom Models 1/48 F-20B

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Very nice idea and well executed! If only that scenario had played out.

How did you find the FM kit? I have it next in line (with a cunning whiffery plan to go with it...) and comments about the canopy construction have been raised as to it being "challenging".

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  • 3 weeks later...

Would love to have seen one of these over Holyhead in the 1970s. It's good to know the real thing exists in a parallel universe.

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