RNLAF NF-5A, 316 Sqn Demo Team, 1978

I couldn’t resist. After finishing my F-16, I pretty much immediately picked up this Italeri F-5 kit. The RNLAF operated the F-5 from 1969 to 1991 and used it as a light fighter-bomber alongside the F-104, which served as an interceptor. The Italeri kit gives you several options, one being a Dutch NF-5A from the 316 Sqn Demo Team operating out of Gilze-Rijen (1978).

The kit went together very smoothly. No flash or gaps whatsoever. One annoying thing, however, is that the rear fuselage consists of a left and a right half, which means that there is a very prominent seam running along the centre of the aircraft. Also, the font fuselage is constructed as a separate piece, which again leaves a noticeable seam. An expert modeller with more patience than me could probably have - after multiple passes of filling and sanding - gotten rid of those seams. After one pass of filling and sanding I simply hoped that my paint job would hide the worst most of it.

One of the jets of the NF-5 Demo Team in action.

The colours are the typical grey green used on most Dutch cold war jets. There is a tiny bit of fogging on the front canopy piece from gluing it in place. I still think the end result looks pretty damn good, though.

Paints used (Vallejo): 

Camouflage: 70.992 Neutral Grey and 70.887 US Olive Drab

Bottom: mix of 70.870 Medium Sea Grey and 70.883 Silver Grey