CF-5A Freedom Fighter
Kinetic, 1/48 scale
S u m m a r y |
| Item No. |
Kinetic Model Kits Item No. K48109 - CF-5A Freedom Fighter in Canadian Service |
| Contents and Media: |
159 parts in grey plastic; 12 parts in clear; 11 parts on one photo-etched fret; markings for three subjects. |
| Scale |
1/48 |
| Price: |
USD$29.98
plus shipping available online from Lucky Model |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
High quality moulding; well detailed; finely recessed panel lines; canopy may be posed open; boarding ladder supplied; straightforward parts breakdown; plenty of ordnance options; spectacular decals and marking options designed by Crossdelta and printed by Cartograf. |
| Disadvantages: |
No harness straps. |
| Recommendation: |
Kinetic's 1/48 scale CF-5A Freedom Fighter is a very nice model with subtle surface textures. This is a welcome re-release with new decals. |
Reviewed
by Mick Evans
First flying in 1959 and entering service in the 1960s, the F-5 Freedom Fighter was designed as a lightweight, low-cost jet fighter and ground attack aircraft.
The F-5 Freedom Fighter was exported widely via the U.S. Military Assistance Programme (MAP) to countries including Iran, South Koream the Philippines, Turkey, Greece and Taiwan. It was a fast and capable aircraft with a top speed of Mach 1.4, but was ideal for small air forces as it was cheap and easy to maintain.
Canada undertook local production of the Freedom Fighter as the CF-5A. In addition to local use, Canada sold the CF-5A to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
The Canadair CF-5A officially designated CF-116 is the Canadian licensed-built version of the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter aircraft built for the Canadian Air Force. The CF-5 was upgraded periodically through its service career in Canada.
The CF-5 was ordered by the Royal Canadian Air Force which became part of the Canadian Forces on 1 February 1968. The new unified force took delivery of the first CF-5s at the end of 1968. Production by Canadair for the Canadian Forces was 89 single seat and 46 dual seat aircraft.
Kinetic first released the Northrop F-5 in 2012 and was rereleased in 2021 and reviewed by Brett Green previously and there are no new parts in this kit so I will not go into detail about the kit.
You can see Brett's review by following this link.
Markings
The kit comes with three aircraft colour scheme options as follows:
-
Canadian Armed Forces CF-116 serial number 116757/116727 in 1995. 116757 is stored at the Canadian Warplane Heritage centre wearing its last camouflage scheme since its retirement in 1995. The scheme is an all over wrap around scheme of FS 35237 Blue Grey, FS 36307 Grey, FS 36251 Grey.
-
Canadian Armed Forces CF-116 serial number 116763 No 434 “Bluenose” Squadron aggressor scheme in 1998. The aircraft is retired and on exhibition at Canada Aviation and Space Museum- Ottawa. The scheme is an all over wrap around scheme of FS 35237 Blue Grey, FS 36307 Grey, FS 36251 Grey.
-
Canadian Armed Forces CF-116 serial number 116727 No 434 “Bluenose” Squadron in the early scheme 1979. The scheme is FS 34064 Olive Drab and FS 36099 Dark Blue Grey upper surfaces and FS 36463 Stone Grey lower surfaces.
Decals are by Cartograph and are nicely printed and in register.
Artwork is designed by Crossdelta.
Kinetic's 1/48 scale F-5A Freedom Fighter is a very nice model with subtle surface textures. This is a welcome re-release with new decals
Thanks to Lucky Model for the sample
Review Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Mick Evans
Page Created 5 December, 2022
Last updated
5 December, 2022
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