1:48 F-5E/N Tiger II Training

The real subject

The Northrop F-5E Tiger II is a light supersonic fighter that spread to a number of countries thanks to its low cost and undemanding operation. The designation F-5N is carried by machines of the US Navy and Marine Corps, where they serve as adversaries in air combat training: their small size and agility make them a rewarding opponent on which crews learn close-in fighting. Those machines are the ones that tend to carry colorful finishes imitating foreign equipment, which is why modelers like to build them.

What the set offers

This is a supplementary set in 1:48 scale tied to the F-5E/N Tiger II. Which part it holds, how many pieces are in the package and which kit it is cut for is specified by the manufacturer in the instructions and on the packaging. Supplementary parts of this kind replace or complement elements from a kit and tend to be shaped more finely than anything that can be molded.

• 1:48 scale, an accessory for the F-5E/N Tiger II
• an accessory part rather than a complete kit
• the parts are not polystyrene, they are glued with cyanoacrylate glue
• the contents of the package are specified by the manufacturer in the instructions and on the packaging
• try the fit dry before gluing

Building and painting tips

Cut the excess material and the production marks away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest with fine abrasive paper. Ordinary liquid cement for plastic will not hold here, so reach for cyanoacrylate glue and apply it in the smallest possible amount. Before painting, wash the parts in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap and let them dry, otherwise the paint will not hold on the surface. Try the fit dry while you can still adjust the shape.

Who it is for

It suits a modeler building the F-5E or the F-5N in 1:48 scale who wants more finely rendered detail on the model. The paints, the glue and tools are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.