Singapore Tigersharks (F-20) - 1:48 Miliverse

[Julien]

Singapore Tigersharks (F-20)

1:48 Miliverse

In a programme spanning two decades and costing $1.2 billion, Northrop's F-20 was perhaps one of their most expensive failures, mostly due to policy changes and political pressure. They were looking for a replacement to the lightweight and low-cost F-5 Freedom Fighter that would keep costs low while giving much improved performance to keep pace with the Mig-21s that were being exported to Soviet aligned nations at the time. Eschewing the twin engine format of the original, it had a large GE F404 engine installed in a suitably reshaped rear fuselage, while the wings, forward fuselage and empennage stayed very similar to the original. Under the Carter regime it was decided that leading edge technology shouldn't be included to prevent it from falling into Soviet hands, but after the Reagan administration took over, policy soon changed to giving allies modified versions of the F-16 and even the F-15, which rapidly eroded its market. Add to that the total lack of interest in selling the aircraft by the Government, and the customer base dwindled away until in 1986 the project was finally cancelled whilst circling the drain.

As an aircraft? It was well-liked, well-tested and although two of the prototypes crashed killing their pilots, it was found that both were due to the pilots losing consciousness from excessive G-forces, leaving the aircraft's reputation unblemished. With one prototype left intact and another only partially completed, the remainder was shipped off on cancellation to Los Angeles where it hangs in the California Science Centre. It seems to have been yet another Cold War Warrior that got the first three of the four dimensions right, but fell foul of the important fourth politics.

These decals from Singapore based Miliverse give an actual scheme for Singapore applied to the real F-20, as well as an interesting insight into potential users of the F-20 in the ASEAN region if it had been produced. As well as markings for multiple Singaporean aircraft in different schemes; they have included markings for Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia & The Philippines.

There is one major sheet shown on the left, 3 smaller sheets shown on the right; and a small sheet of numbers which is not shown. The decals look excellent, well printed, colour dense and with minimal carrier film.

Conclusion
These decals will help the modeller make a good looking, believable F-20. Highly Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Mr B]

Nice one

Must get hold of one that's for sure

Thanks for the review Julien

Rgds

[Julien]

They are great looking decals, I forgot to mention the Small sheet with the tail chevrons on is printed with Metallic inks which do not show up to well on the scan.

Julien

[Boman]

One can use these for ordinary Singapore F-5S/T's too?

[SleeperService]

Hi Boman

I suppose you could but they do a set in 48th (and 72nd) already for the F-5 48002/72002. They are very good decals as Julien says. Mark offers a very good service order by e-mail and you'll received some very nice markings.

No affiliation other than a very happy customer.

[madcat911]

One can use these for ordinary Singapore F-5S/T's too?

Yes, it seems that all the generic and unit markings are included to do a regular S or T. Just check photo references for the particular jet you wish to model.

Mark