1/72 Esci Northrop F-5A "Freedom Fighter"

Gallery Article by Fabien Antonietti on Mar 25 2014

Greece Independence Day

 

 

Released in 1983, the Esci F -5A remains a splendid reference to 1:72 by the fine engraving and accuracy of forms. 

Inspired by "the Greek weathering" I chose the Icarus Production 72015 decals (printed by Cartograph) for this Hellenic Air Force 349th Squadron - 110th Combat Wing F-5A in "Aegean Blue" seen near 1996.

 

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My efforts focused on scratchbuilding the canopy opening system and adapting 
the headrest of the Verlinden F-104 resin seat to get the MB Q-7 installed on Greek F- 5A.

Finally, an access ladder is made with a guitar string and plastic card.

Lower surface is painted with white aluminum Alclad2.   Aegean blue is a mixture of Gunze H -25 blue + H -56 gray + Tamiya XF-2 white. Weathering effect is made with the same mixture thinned with white, then altered with various shades of gray.

I also used Smoke and other mixtures black/gray or darker blue to accentuate certain lines and to alter some panels.

This work is spread over several days to adjust and measure the effects wanted, always based on the observation of some reference photos.

Hope you enjoy, thanks for looking!

Fabien "faab104" Antonietti

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Photos and text © by Fabien Antonietti