Cris Garcia Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Hello friends! Since 1976 the Chilean Air Force (FACH, Fuerza Aérea de Chile) have been equiped with 18 original F-5 E Tiger II. The Freedom Fighters came to join the FACH during a very difficult time of diplomatic relationships with our eastern neighbour: Argentina. On 1978 tensions arose to a point that almost lead our two countries into a war, after Argentina declared null an international referendum in favor of Chile about three islands on the Beagle Channel, south of Tierra del Fuego. Luckily, peace prevailed. At that tough times the FACH was equipped just with some 30-ish Hawker Hunters, A-37 Dragonfly and the new F-5 E Tiger II in opposition to more than 70 argentinian aircrafts between Skyhawks, Mirage III, Daggers and Canberras. During the 90's FACH decided to upgrade the Tigers with the help of Israel's Aeronautic Industry. That's how the Tiger III version was developed, with a lot of new gadgets, including new radar (ELTA EL/M-2032), RWR, Pod Lite, chaff dispenser, in-flight refueling capability (by Tiger Century) and a complete new HUD and instrument panel. AFV Club is most usual a tank's model brand, but they did a very nice work engineering this little jewel. About the ordnance, a pair of Phyton IV missiles (by Reskit) on the tip of the wings and 2 GBU-12 bombs (from the spare parts box) on the inner wing pylon along a 1040 lt. fuel tank on the central pylon. Nowadays, the F-5 are still in service, with 13 units based at Chabunco Base, near Punta Arenas. So, enough talking, let the photos show you my tribute to this cherish american fighter. Best wishes from Chile and happy modelling to all! Cris Edited December 23, 2021 by Cris Garcia 41 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Great model and an interesting back story that I was unaware of. I had the very good fortune to visit your country in 2019 and really enjoyed my time there. Go Chile! 🇨🇱 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 You use the Python 4 or 5? Is that real? Or am I mistaken? Happy modelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Beautiful piece of modelling, she looks very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Garcia Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, dov said: You use the Python 4 or 5? Is that real? Or am I mistaken? Happy modelling Yes, Python IV. Edited March 30, 2021 by Cris Garcia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Garcia Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 10 hours ago, Bandsaw Steve said: Great model and an interesting back story that I was unaware of. I had the very good fortune to visit your country in 2019 and really enjoyed my time there. Go Chile! 🇨🇱 Thanks Steve! I wish I can travel across the Pacific and witness the beauties of Australia. Hope it will be soon, as one of my best friends from childhood (chilean) lived in Melbourne for 10 years now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 That looks really good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Lovely model, unusual subject, thanks for sharing, good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Garcia Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 Here some pics of the real Chilean F-5 E Tiger III: 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 Great model!! Argentine and its surrounding islands... Did not know about the GBU-12 capability! Thanks for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 Beautiful job you have done! Never been to Chile but it is on my list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Garcia Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 Hi fellas! A little update on the Tiger III ordnance. After a very interesting conversation with a former FACH pilot who flew the F-5E Tiger III on the late 80' and early 90', he was adamant that the main task of the chilean Tiger was interception and aerial superiority, so 4 AAM are more accurate regarding the actual ordnance of the local version of the F-5. Hence, I removed the GBU's and installed another pair of Pythons IV (alternative could be a pair of -also israeli- Derby missiles). GBU capability o the chilean Tiger is real, but that task was given to the Mirages in the 80'-90's and since 2006 to the F-16 Vipers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhizhou Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Simply superb. Lovely subject. represented by the best of modelling. Zhizhou 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Very nice looking F5, great work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Excellent! Beautifully built, photographed and presented! Thanks for sharing her with us Chris, she's a joy to behold! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Terrific Tiger, beautiful work ! Wulfman ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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