Northrop-Canadair NF-5A, "Zebra" scheme
Kommentarer
6 17 March 2018, 22:04
Erik LeijdensNew project, another Dutch topic 🙂. Kinetic kit with a Wolfpack ejection seat. As can be seen the Dutch NF-5's came in 4 different color schemes. Green/grey, dark grey/grey, the F-16 scheme and finally an overall RAF style grey scheme. I have chosen for the second scheme, the so called "Zebra" scheme. The Dutch F-5 weren't standard F-5's but in fact modified CF-5's, a lot of modifications were later added to the F-5E. The front leg which could be "hiked", LEF's, take off doors and the chaff/flare dispensers are the clearest exterior differences. Also, the Dutch NF-5's were fitted with a Doppler radar system connect to a "roller map" on the instrument panel, off course Kinetic supplied a standard F-5 instrument panel so some little surgery is required.
17 March 2018, 22:14
Erik LeijdensStarted with altering the instrument panel, as said the Dutch NF-5s had a roller map on the ip. Tried to replicate this, think it worked out good enough. The ip isn't 100% correct but it looks nice. Cockpit is completely done yet, a little wash and dry bush will be added tomorrow.
24 March 2018, 23:43
Wim van der LuijtI'm in.....interesting background info as well, unfortunately I know very little about our own air force so all the extra details are welcome......work on the dashboard looks convincing to me
25 March 2018, 09:57
Erik LeijdensThanks Wim! Cockpit is finished for now, thinks it looks nice. Although the close up pictures are not very unforgiving! But heck, it looks more like a NF-5 ip now!
26 March 2018, 19:39
Erik LeijdensModified the LEF's(Leading Edge Flaps) to the correct shape for the NF-5. Removed a small triangle from the wings and added small piece of styrene to the kit LEF's.
29 March 2018, 20:28
Björn SvedbergNice progress Erik! 👍 The cockpit looks great! I really like this plane and hope to build one some day. Didn't they use them in Top Gun as the Mig 28?..
31 March 2018, 16:01
Kees KleijwegtGreat looking pit Erik, will be follwing this one with interest! 👍
31 March 2018, 16:17
Erik LeijdensMe too Patrick 🙂...
@Björn, yes that's true but in that case it was the E model of the F-5 that stood in as a "MiG-28"
1 April 2018, 09:49
Erik LeijdensA kit to build with care Clifford. The fit is reasonably good but it requires a lot of dry fitting. I also dislike the segmented fuselage halves. Also some putty is needed here and there.
3 April 2018, 09:24
Erik LeijdensSome panels needed filling/rescribing to get it it more NF worthy. Also a big downside from this kit are the wingtip tanks. Kinetic supplies 2 identical sprues with the tip tanks, but in that case you only have a left tip tank. The rounding of the wing is moulded in the tanks which is good but not when you've got 2 identical tanks.. Lucky for me I already chose to make my NF-5 with 2 dummy sidewinders but this is a very big mistake from Kinetic I think!
3 April 2018, 09:54
Michael MoerkensLooking good Eric, at least one 'bird' that benefits from carefull executed plastic surgery. Has always been a nice looking aicraft the NF-5.
And can remember them well when they were landing, waiting with the pushbike at the red lights at the beginning off the runway at Gilze Rijen .
Many moons ago 😉
14 April 2018, 09:41
Björn SvedbergLooks like alot of work Erik, but I'm sure it will look fantastic when it's finished.
14 April 2018, 14:53
Erik LeijdensThanks mates. Yes it is indeed a kit that needs a bit of putty and sanding here and there... I made the Kinetic F-84F too and that is a very nice kit, and the first kit from that company! But, with some tlc this can be a nide kit too. I will do my best boys!
@Michael, and yes Michael, the famous runway at Gilze-Rijen AB! Where some NF-5's came in LOW:
[img1]
14 April 2018, 18:07
Patrick HagelsteinBeen there when I could almost touch a Chinook during a night landing. 🙂
14 April 2018, 18:15
Kees KleijwegtApparently the kit is quite some work, but it is coming along very nicely Erik! 👍
And a cool pic, thanks for sharing
15 April 2018, 06:01
Maciej BellosThat driver there, was using his engines to clean up the snow from the road. There are some pictures of MiG-15s being used to clean up railway tracks.
15 April 2018, 10:45
Michael MoerkensEric regarding the wingtips tanks, I had to be in my attic today and thought I have a look in the two Kinetic kits I have ( NF-5A & B) and it seems that they rectified the isue. I have besides the two identical sprue's also parts for a tip tank on sprue E in both kits. So two correct coke bottles can be made. Keep up the good work.
29 April 2018, 17:51
Erik LeijdensGood to hear that Michael! Nice to sea Kinetic corrected this problem! I want to make a NF-5B once, will have to inspect the kit closely before buying it I guess 😄
Small update today, modified to HUD area to make it more NF-5 worthy. Slow progress on this tricky kit..
30 April 2018, 20:31
Erik LeijdensFinally the painting stage is in sight. Sprayed a black base primer, will try the "marbling technique" this time.
10 May 2018, 22:36
Thomas Bischoffgreat work! I am happy that the prior posted pictures were not of the final paintjob 👍
12 May 2018, 18:50
Erik LeijdensPatrick.. 314 Squadron mate🙂. After 314 Squadron got disbanded in the late 90s, 301 was erected and took over the badge and squadron traditions and received fake aircraft. But for me 314 are the real Redskins!
25 May 2018, 15:55
Patrick HagelsteinI've been connected to those 'slagroomkloppers' and only joined after 2000, so for me the Redskins are 301! 🙂
25 May 2018, 17:27
Stefan FraundorferVery nice work Erik. I'm looking forward to see the F-5 finished.
26 May 2018, 05:48
GuusI remember the road in the photograph very well 🙂 It had traffic lights in the middle of nowhere with no crossing roads which used to confuse the tourists. I think the guy on the bicycle now knows why there were there 🙂 Also remember the Thursday nights when the guys from Gilze-Rijen (I think) did some low flying in the evening over the area where I lived and me standing in the garden with my late dad loving every minute of it.
Also wish I knew what you know about the Kinetic model. I was aware of the cockpit and tried to remedy it but totally @arsed up the kit so it now resides sullenly on the "shelf of shame".
26 May 2018, 18:39
Martien LourensHow many times this jet flew over my parental home. That is impossible to count. You have taken a nice camouflage scheme. Somewhat different than the green / gray
This will be a nice model again. Excellent work so far
26 May 2018, 21:06
Erik LeijdensThanks mates🙂! I remember this jet too Guus and Martien, as a kid i frequently stood near Gilze-Rijen AB. Always loved the F-5 with the sleek lines.
@Guus, it is not a very good kit but with some proper planning and patience it can be transformed into a decent NF-5. Mine is not 100% NF worthy but good enough for me. Hope you will try to build another one!
@Martien, always liked this scheme Martien. I hope someday there will be a definitive NF-5 that is easy to build, as there are 3 more schemes I would like to see on a model..
27 May 2018, 05:22
Michael PhillipsThis is really coming along nicely, eagerly waiting to see it all finished!
27 May 2018, 23:51
Erik LeijdensThanks mates!! I have removed the big roundel on top of the wing, It seems that the big version was used only on the original green/grey camouflaged machines. A small one looks better too!
@Clifford, The N(etherlands)F-5 weren't standard F-5's but in fact modified C(anadian)F-5's. The front leg could be "hiked", modified Leading Edge Flaps, take off doors, ECM electronics and a the chaff/flare dispensers(which were added later on their career) are the clearest exterior differences. Also, the Dutch NF-5's were fitted with a Doppler radar system connect to a "roller map" on the instrument panel. They differed so much from the standard F-5 and CF-5 they decided to call it the NF-5. Also, a couple of those modifications were also used in in de development of the F-5E. Today, the aerobatic team Turkish Stars still flies ex-Dutch NF-5's. The modified Leading Edge Flap gave the aircraft more maneuverability so perfect for the job in the aerobatics team! Having said that, this year is the final year for the Turkish NF-5's I believe. The photo below is the particular NF-5 71-3049 which I'm building in his Turkish Stars livery;
[img1]
28 May 2018, 06:44
Erik LeijdensDecalling done now. Removed the big roundel on top of the wings, only green/gray camouflaged NF-5s wore them. Replaced it with a correct smaller type.
1 June 2018, 14:15
Michael MoerkensThat's a good looking ''zebra'' centaur Eric, and not yet even standing on it's hoofs.
18 June 2018, 17:54
Konrad -Wow Erik! Fantastic job 👍 Really cool paintwork and of course the cockpit looks outstanding.
22 June 2018, 04:30
Erik LeijdensHi Mates! The very high temperatures of the European summer kept me away from the workbench for a while but finally the NF-5A is done! Hope you like it!
27 July 2018, 19:19
Murad ÖZERit's a beauty Erik, really enjoyed watching this build from start to finish, cheers.😎
27 July 2018, 20:26
Erik LeijdensThanks mates!!
@Murad, this particular NF-5 is still flying today with the Turkish Stars🙂
27 July 2018, 20:34
Michael MoerkensSplendid replica of this good looking aircraft, Erik. One to be proud off. Make sure it doesn't melt 🙂
28 July 2018, 16:44
Erik LeijdensWell Michael, yesterday it was 35 degrees Celsius on the attic! The styrene withstood this hellish temperatures but I suffered a "lekke koppakking" 😄
28 July 2018, 20:44
Patrick Hagelstein😄 Heb je de boutjes wat strakker aangedraaid om het lekken te stoppen?
28 July 2018, 21:24
Patrick Hagelstein😄 Sterkte! Ik ben extra naar Oklahoma verhuisd om wat te kunnen zonnebaden, blijkt het in Nederland warmer te zijn. 😉
28 July 2018, 22:16
Erik LeijdensHaha ja dat klinkt bekend. Hier verlaat iedereen Nederland en zoekt de koelte op in Frankrijk of Spanje 😄
28 July 2018, 22:44
Michael MoerkensAs long as you keep hydrated Erik, what might be a challence given your leaking head gasket. 🙂 I'm averaging about 5 liters a day with my 1:1 scratch building project on the moment.
29 July 2018, 21:06
Erik LeijdensThanks Jos, Maciej, Spanjaard and Clifford!
@Michael, still busy with your new home?
31 July 2018, 12:06
Martin OostromGorgeous.
Reminds me of my childhood. We spent the vacations on a camping underneath the Gilze-Rijen AFB landing path. Jets were coming overhead at 50-100 metres height.
31 July 2018, 12:09
Michael MoerkensYes Erik, still busy renovating. Just used about 200 Kg Filler 😉 (as on a VEB Plasticart model) to replaster the walls and hide a I beam we put in . So the only scale modelling I will come in contact with the rest of the year will be arm chair modeling, like this forum, the ocasional model show and some other internet sites. Keep up the good work.
1 August 2018, 20:48
Erik LeijdensI am very proud mates! My NF-5A made it to the January issue of Model Aircraft Magazine!! Don't want to be arrogant but this feels so good 🙂
12 January 2020, 22:02
Konrad -Congrats Erik 👍!! And we here see the whole build before all others😉!
13 January 2020, 05:21
TreehuggerAny tips for airbrushing on a glossy black base? The smoother surface finish the better I would think.
13 January 2020, 09:31
Wim van der LuijtMooi dat je resultaat zo in de spotlights wordt gezet! Gefeliciteerd Erik!
13 January 2020, 10:04
Arjan OuwendijkErik, a little late I know but you made a truly beautiful model....I also like this camouflage. There is however a small mistake in the kit and that is the nose gear leg. Kinetic supplied 2 nose gear legs but only the F-5A leg is correct for that type......the made up CF-5/NF-5 leg is incorrect. Originally the first generation F-5's used the leg that was installed vertical under the nose area and the fork section angles back a few degrees. On the CF-5A and NF-5A they installed a nose leg that had the fork in a straight line with the main leg body but the whole gear was angled forward. This leg was later installed on the second generation F-5 namely the F-5E/F. It had also the hike/de-hike provision built in. I still remember doing retraction tests of a hiked nose landing gear and we always had to watch the retraction sequence closely as sometimes the gear retracted before it was fully de-hiked.....which causes a big mess ofcourse 🙂
Another thing I'd like to point out is that the leading edge flaps only had 2 positions.......the manoeuvring flaps position was built in on the trailing edge flaps and had 3 positions. I don't know why everyone is always talking about the 3 position leading edge flaps but this is not correct.
Once again, a gorgeous model!!
Regards, Arjan
3 August 2020, 19:48
Erik LeijdensHi Arjan! Thanks for your comment! And a nice on too, never noticed that the fork should be in a straight line! Something to keep in mind when building another NF-5A 🙂
10 August 2020, 20:20
Jos JansenMe too Anne, Erik NF-5A is probably one of the most finest Northrop I ever saw...and that's a compliment mate😎. After finishing my F-14, it's NF-5A time...!
11 August 2020, 09:36
