Kitty Hawk F-5F OOB quickish build.

[Clunkmeister]

Other than having to close the canopies at the very last moment, and spilling Tamiya extra thin all over the arse end of it, meaning a strip and reriveting job, it was a quick and mostly painless build.

I can highly recommend this model to lovers of the F-5. It takes the 1/32 scale F-5 and makes the old Hasegawa kit look like a tinkertoy.   Just remember, if you're planning on closing the canopies, fit them first. I didn't and the rear one, while better, is nowhere near perfect. Cutting down the rear seat mount to lower it would be needed, or lower the floor   Either way, that's the only glitch for me and it happened at the very end of the build.    I'll build mine with the canopies open.

But it's HIGHLY recommended.  Just do your research first. F-5’s had more options than a 67 Mustang. 

 

Well I just saw the flipped decal at the trailing edge of the fin.  Dammit!

[Martinnfb]

Looking really good Ernie. Tom Cruise's worst nightmare .

[DocRob]

Looking great Ernie. The F5 is not one of my favorites, but it was a pure pleasure ride to accompany you while building her. I like the result, everything blends in perfectly. Sometimes it's good to build one oob, and ask yourself, why did I use that much AM on my last build.

Cheers Rob 

[GusMac]

Really nice finish Ernie, especially after the glue disaster. The camo has a great looking feathered edge to it.

[harv]

Love it cupcake !!......harv 

[Clunkmeister]

Thanks y’all! It was fun.

[Clunkmeister]

And kiss it goodbye.  

I’ve gotten really good at packing models.  This was just getting the cradles right. Then, I line the entire box with the pink foam, and cut the cradle ends down to fit.  Hot glue everything together, then place tissue or a thin foam around the areas on the model that sits on the cradle. Hot glue stops against the model tp prevent it shifting forward or back, hot glue crosspieces on the cradles that lock the model in place, install foam top cover, then seal the box.

It’s probably overkill, but it works. 

 

[Ivan Ivanovich]

Sometimes, letting go is the hardest part.

[Clunkmeister]

1 minute ago, Ivan Ivanovich said:

Sometimes, letting go is the hardest part.

Now, I build one my way. Fix the little inaccuracies and open the bloody canopies 

[Clunkmeister]

I feel blessed!

The F-5F made it safely to Virginia for the Old Dominion Open, where it was displayed by Kitty Hawk in their vendor area. It looks a bunch better than I remember.

 

[harv]

Very nicely done cupcake !!!.....harv

[Clunkmeister]

Thanks Harv. Now on to the RCAF Lanc and a Kitty Hawk kit for the Nats

[harv]

Yep. Working on the Mystery Ship as we speak........harv

[Bill_S]

Sweet!

[coolboxx]

Very nice, build and paint superb..

[Clunkmeister]

8 hours ago, coolboxx said:

Very nice, build and paint superb..

Thanks, Insurely appreciate it!

On 2/24/2019 at 11:33 PM, Bill_S said:

Sweet!

Bill, as always, your opinion is most valued. Thanks

[Mikester]

Looking good, Ernie!

[Peterpools]

Ernie

Bravo - awesome build. Your F5 looks sensational and on KH's display table, she certainly is the start.

Peter

 

[1to1scale]

Looks Great! I hope they paid you with kits!

[Jeff]

That's so cool.............................. and the paint is really expertly well done.......