Hobby Master HA3327
1/72 Scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II Diecast Model
3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF

Hobby Master HA3327 – 1/72 Scale F-5F Tiger II Diecast Model.

Hobby Master HA3327 is a 1/72 scale diecast model of the Northrop F-5E Tiger II. In the markings and colour scheme of  #3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF. Based at Bien Hao Air Base, during the late 1970s.

After the collapse of South Vietnam, many VPAF (Vietnam People’s Air Force) Regiments formed in the north. On May 21, 1975, the 935th Fighter Regiment established at Bien Hao Air Base equipped with ex VNAF F-5s. The unit flew its first F-5 mission on May 27, 1975, against remaining opposition. Ten F-5s of 935th Fighter Regiment moved to Noi Bai AB during February 1979 returning in April 1980. In May 1982 all F-5s were withdrawn from service with the 935th Fighter Regiment, replaced by MiG-21s.

Hobby Master HA3327 – 1/72 Scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II Diecast Model Aircraft. #3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF, the late 1970s.

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II.

The Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and F-5E/F Tiger II are a family of American supersonic lightweight fighters. Capable of day air superiority and ground-attack roles. Design of the aircraft, privately funded by Northrop, started in the 1950s. Smaller and less complicated than contemporary fighters, with lower purchase and operational costs, making it a successful export aircraft. It saw combat in the Vietnam War with both the USAF and RVAF.

The first flight took place on July 30, 1959, and first entered service in April 1964, with the 4441st Combat Crew Training School, USAF. The USAF did not purchase the F-5A/B, but selected the T-38 Talon, an advanced trainer based on the F-5A, to replace the T-33.

The improved single-seat F-5E Tiger II first flew on August 11, 1972, and enter service on April 6, 1973, with the 425th TFS. The F-5F, tandem seat combat-capable trainer, first flight occurred on September 25, 1974. The RF-5E Tigereye was a reconnaissance variant.

Northrop built 1,400 Tiger IIs before the end of production in 1987. The F-5 was licence-built in Canada, Spain, South Korea and Taiwan.

Design.

The Northrop F-5 airframe construction is mainly of aluminium alloy, steel, titanium and magnesium. The design uses the transonic area rule to reduce drag, and a small profile makes visual and radar detection difficult.

The fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure with either a single seat (F-5A/E) or a tandem two-seat (F-5B/F) cockpit. The two-seat tandem cockpit has individual canopies. The two afterburning turbofan engines are mounted in a side-by-side layout internally in the rear of the fuselage. On the fuselage sides forward of the wing roots, are the engine air intakes. Two hydraulic actuated air brakes are located under the fuselage ahead of the main wheel wells.

Hobby Master HA3327 – 1/72 Scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II Diecast Model Aircraft. #3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF, the late 1970s.

The cantilevered wings are a traditional skin over a spar-rib structure low mounted on the fuselage. With no dihedral and 24° sweepback at quarter-chord. Fitted with ailerons mid-span, trailing edge flaps inboard and leading-edge maneuvering flaps. Flight control systems are hydraulic. The tail unit is also of a sweptback cantilever design with a single fin and rudder and all moving tailplane.

The undercarriage is a hydraulically operated retractable tricycle type. The steerable single-wheeled nose unit retracts forward into the fuselage. The single-wheeled main landing gear, hinged in the wing retract inwards into the fuselage. The F-5E  has a two position extendable nose unit to vary the angle of attack to shorten takeoff run.

The improved F-5E has more powerful engines, a longer wider fuselage with higher fuel capacity and optional air refuelling probe. Enlarged leading edge extensions increasing wing area, improving maneuverability. More advanced avionics which included air to air radar. The F-5A initially did not have a radar but were retrofitted. Various avionic packages were available to meet customer requirements.

Engine.

The F-5 uses two General Electric J85 axial flow turbojet engines with afterburners. The engine air intakes have additional inlet doors for taking off and low-speed flight.

Armament (F-5E).

• Guns: two 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannons mounted internally in the nose.
• Hardpoints: seven external hard-points able to carry up to 3,200 kg (7,000 pounds) of payload. One under each wingtip, two under each wing and one under fuselage on centre-line.
• Ordnance: air to air missiles, air to ground missiles. Bombs include laser-guided, unguided, napalm and cluster. Rocket launchers for unguided rockets.
• Other: up to three drop tanks.
  

  Hobby Master HA3327 – 1/72 Scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II Diecast Model Aircraft. #3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF, the late 1970s.

Performance (F-5E).

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.64, 2,009 km/h (1,248 mph).
• Cruising speed: Mach 0.8, 980 km/h (609 mph).
• Combat range: Up to 1056 km 656 mi (depending on the load carried)
• Ferry range: 2,863 km (1,779 mi) with drop tanks.
• Service ceiling: 15,800 m (51,800 ft ).

Links

• Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II.
• View more Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighters/Tiger II diecast models.

Hobby Master HA3327 – 1/72 Scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II Diecast Model Aircraft. #3528, 935th Fighter Regiment, VPAF, the late 1970s.