Click on the pic to see more.
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- Tail/rudder looks good. I didn’t compare anything else to the scale drawings, over all it should look good when assembled. The best thing is that this new kit cost me only eight bucks, MSRP!!!
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- Main wing might be a hair oversize, the sidwinder launch rail is too long. The elevators look right. By the way, the air intakes are too thick.
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- 1/72 drawings by SuzukiYukio. The fuselage appears close in length, but from the intakes back it is too narrow. Recessed panel lines are hit and miss.
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- The kit seat should be replaced with an aftermarket resin seat, like this one parked in an old ESCI F-5A.
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- There is detail on the instrument panels, as well as optional decals. Both are not accurate, and the decals are slightly bigger than the plastic parts.
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- Nice looking sidewinder missiles. The Mk 82 bombs look skinny, but they come with two types of extended fuses.
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- Engine exhausts have internal details.
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- Some bloggers spread rumors that this kit was a re-hash of an older kit. The only thing that looks like a re-hash is this crappy pilot figure!
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- The old ESCI F-5A kit comes with two healthier looking re-fuel probes.
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- There is also a too skinny re-fueling probe. Instructions do not indicate which aircraft it’s for, but my references show the Brazilian version using it.
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- Two types of external fuel tanks, detail on the inside of the main gear doors. Extra antennas, however the instructions do not indicate which version they are for.
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- ….so maybe the actuators from an old ESCI F-5A kit can be made to fit?
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- ….since the canopy actuator looks the same on all F-5/F-20 variants….
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- Seperate canopy & windshield, two landing lights. Hobby Boss provides a crude ‘L’ block to hold the canopy open…
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- ….and one Brazilian and one Swiss aircraft.
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- Color guide for USN & USMC agressors….
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- Nice looking decals. Includes stencils for Mark 82 bombs, Sidewinder missiles and external fuel tanks.
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- For some reason, the retailer I got this from had listed it in their hardcopy catalog as one of Hobby Boss’s “Easy Assembly” kits. It is not, it has too much detail, but it does look easy to assemble. Unfortunately the kit does not come with optional opened bleed air vents, as depicted in the box art.