Roland Pulfrew Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thinking that all of the pictures of Kenyan F-5s that I've seen are well worn, I thought I might have a go at some pre-shading (not a technique I've really mastered) for the undersides of my F-5. God only knows why I didn't do the top sides at the same time!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hmmmm! Not sure I've got the hang of this preshading thing. I appear to have put too many thin coats on and have obscured the preshading!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I have exactly the same problem, whenever I try pre-shading! Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cooper Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) Well, I have been watching three stooging around the sky this AM with my binoculars and... one, (starbord side), is in a two tone scheme, a light and dark disruptive scheme, (i.e. grey and green) and the other two are, very definitely, in an overall light scheme, (one grey or a mixture of similar reflective valued greys). Of course I am just sitting here in Nairobi, Kenya, in real time observing what is going on above. Ohhhh nice Mil 8! I am wondering if the two tone airframes are being used for 'ground support', whatever that means here, whilst the grey airframes are intended for, mostly, air defence...? With most of the, euphemistically referred to, action going on up north that might be a reason why the two tone airframes are somewhat rare down south in the Nairobi area. Christian the Married and exiled to africa... Sorry Christian, saw your post only now. AFAIK, all the available F-5Es are used for ground attacks (minus one lost over Somalia a few months ago), and there is only one operational unit. So, 'in theory', there should be no differences in camo. But, it's perfectly possible that some of ex-RJAF examples were kept in their 'aluminium silver' finish. For example, one of Tiger IIs that can be seen on one of photos released on the official KenAF website appears to show 'some other sort of camo' but the standard one: http://kaf.mod.go.ke/?cat=4 IMHO, we'll not know for sure without clear photos of them (and I'm trying to obtain some). BTW, 'Mi-8s' should be Mi-171Es, few of which were purchased a few years ago. Edited February 23, 2015 by Tom Cooper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 A little bit more progress (and a little more success with the preshading) on the F-5 with the first top coat applied. Much happier with the preshading by using a lower pressure on the airbrush and slightly thinner paint. Now for the green..... after quite a bit of complex masking!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyverns4 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Sorry Christian, saw your post only now. AFAIK, all the available F-5Es are used for ground attacks (minus one lost over Somalia a few months ago), and there is only one operational unit. So, 'in theory', there should be no differences in camo. But, it's perfectly possible that some of ex-RJAF examples were kept in their 'aluminium silver' finish. For example, one of Tiger IIs that can be seen on one of photos released on the official KenAF website appears to show 'some other sort of camo' but the standard one: http://kaf.mod.go.ke/?cat=4 IMHO, we'll not know for sure without clear photos of them (and I'm trying to obtain some). BTW, 'Mi-8s' should be Mi-171Es, few of which were purchased a few years ago. Thanks for the info and the correction. Definable "Doh!"", moment... Roland, looking good! I have had the same problem with preshading, but eventually got the hang of it. Keep on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share Posted March 23, 2015 Well as I've been somewhat distracted by colours for my Ugandan Flanker I've been neglecting my Kenyan Tiger. So here is a bit of progress with the green now sprayed on. Quite happy with the result so far (although I forgot to spray the tail grey to start with). Now time to crack on with the build on both jets. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 That's quite a transformation - looking very aggressive now. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 This one is looking great Roland. The scheme really suits the Tiger's lines and you've executed it to perfection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpc7676 Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Tail surfaces now painted properly and into position 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Came across this - not sure if its helpful? Know its an F5F 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpc7676 Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 And now these aircraft are bombing terrorists across the border in Somalia. Still looking good mate, keep up the good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cooper Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 And now these aircraft are bombing terrorists across the border in Somalia. ...and that quite intensivelly... which is why I hope Roland is going to find the time (and opportunity) to hang something like 4x Mk.82s and a centreline drop tank on this - beautifully painted - Tiger II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 Tom As I have linkages with Kenya and am disgusted with the actions of a few terrorists, I would seriously like to add weapons to my F-5. Apart from Mk 82s has anyone any idea what else is in the Kenyan inventory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cooper Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Not much more than designs based on US-made Mk.80s, I'm affraid. That is: Mk.81s, Mk.82s and Mk.83s, perhaps a few Mk.84s (though an F-5E can load only one under the centreline). Even then, most of these are made in Argentina. Or 'made in Argentina, but acquired via Zimbabwe', for example. That's so unless the USA are providing some kind of military aid now (don't know enough about this to say). Reason: Argentinean Mk.80-series is much more cheaper than if purchased from the USA or anywhere in Europe (every single Mk.82 manufactured in the EU goes at something like €3,000). That aside, it is perfectly possible that they still do have some of British-made weaponry originally delivered with Hawks. For example, 1000lbs ones ('Mk.20'?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cooper Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 ...BTW, many of African customers are delighted users of South-African-made Jupiter fuses for their Mk.80-series. These are quite big in comparison to originals 'made in USA', have their tops painted in black and rest in copper. Supposedly, they're significantly improving the effects of Mk.80 series even on soft ground. Older 'Daizy cutters' seem not to be in use any more (except of Zimbabwean-made Daisies). ...and many there are using 'baloote' retarding system instead of (more expensive) Mk.15 Snakeye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Finally managed to get some time to crack on with my F-5, particularly as Star Wars day is so near!!! F-5 takes to its main gear 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 Kenyan Air Force F-5E Tiger II now complete. Unfortunately I couldn't find any suitable weapons in my 'armoury' so this one is clean - for now. After a long hard war against Shebab, a war weary F-5 visits the Kampala Victory Air Show in Uganda Also after a long hard war, and as a counter to the growing arsenal of Russian supplied combat aircraft in surrounding countries (and following the discovery of vast quantities of oil in Northern Kenya) the F-5E on the ramp at Nanyuki alongside its newly delivered replacement 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homerlovesbeer Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Sweet.....that turned out beautiful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cooper Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Excellent work, Roland. Alone the camo and weathering are making your 'Kenyan Tiger' a true 'eyecatcher'. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 That's beautiful Roland and great photography too! Cheers Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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