SF-5A Freedom Fighter, Spanish Air Force, Gando AB Gran Canaria, 1:72 Italeri

[alex_stela]

Hi! Here is the second kit I finished this year - 1:72 Northrop/CASA SF-5A Freedom Fighter, serial C.9-048, 464 Squadron Spanish Air Force, Gando AB, Gran Canaria, ca.1980. This particular plane can still be seen today at the Gando AB next to Las Palmas airport. All F-5s from Gran Canaria were entirely painted with aluminium paint (it`s not natural metal finish).

 

Italeri kit, which is actually rebox of 40 years old ESCI. It's still quite good, but the mold wear is really noticeable. Model is "out of the box" except for Master Pitot tube and cannon barrels + antennas and gunsight from scratch. Nothing special, very quick project - simply to add to the collection on the shelf.

 

Thanks for watching!

[Vultures1]

Very smart little F-5. Well done!

[binbrook87]

That's a cracking F-5. I remember building this as a kid when it first came out and has always been one of my favourite kits of all time. Still looks every inch a Freedom Fighter!

[72modeler]

Very nice build, and nice to see one not in SEA colors for a change! I have the original Esci releases for all of the versions they kitted, and like you said, they are very, very good kits, and with some wheel bay and cockpit detailing, they can be made into excellent replicas; I doubt we will ever see a new-tool state of the art kit in 1/72. Well done! 

Mike

Edited February 6, 2024 by 72modeler
corrected spelling

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Excellent paint work on this one.  Well done sir!!

[Saso Krasovec]

Awesome, congratulations😀😀😀

[SebTartar]

Very nice build and finish!

 

I find it weird that we still have to build a model from such an ancient mould when this fighter was ued by so many air forces around the Globe.

[Pete in a shed]

 The F5 is a lovely sleek aircraft. Your build looks the part and the Spanish markings really suit it. Good choice.. If the mould is as good as it sounds with wheel well detail I think I shall be getting one of these.

Pete

[Matthew1974]

Amazing the F-5 family has been in active service for almost 60 years.  One of my favorite types and you have made a true beauty, Alex!

[russ c]

Great job on the old kit, really nice work

[RidgeRunner]

Very nice, Alex. I remember seeing these at Gando in 1978. A memorable one night stop as our aircraft (a Comet 4C) went AOG. As I recall there was a variety of Spanish machines on the ramp, like P-3, SA-16 and Caribou plus a number of SF-5s

[Sky Keg]

Outstanding Alex.  Very nicely done.  

 

Mike