Saints anyone?

[f5guy]

Hey guys,

Here's some pics of VFC-13 over taken over the last 15 years. All pics were taken by me. Feel free to save them in your photo archives, but please don't repost them elsewhere without giving me credit.

The oldest Tiger that VFC-13 had.... 72-1387. Check out the chromate replacement horizontal stab.

73-0865 was one of two jets painted in the blue tiger scheme. #10 was the other one. This jet has been covered by Twobobs and Fightertown decals. This is the same jet that wore the infamous "banana" scheme when it was assigned to the 64th AS. See my Unique USAF aggressor schemes thread for some of the schemes it wore as a USAF bird.

73-0879 was another jet in the tiger scheme, but the only one that got the brown/tan version. This jet was one of the ex-USAF Tigers that VFC-13 had that got the LEX extensions and duckbill nose cone (sometimes called a shark nose) added after overhaul. Twobobs covered this jet too, but they got the serial number wrong on their decals. Twobobs shows it as 730975, but its supposed to be 730879.

Here's another jet covered by Twobobs: 74-1530 was in a one of a kind tan and brown scheme.

Here's one of the original USN F-5Es 160792 (USAF serial # 73-0858). It started service with VF-43 back in the mid 1970's and finally flew its last flight with VFC-13 some 30 years later.

Here's another Navy veteran: 160794 (USAF serial # 73-0872). This jet served for over 30 years as well. Sadly it hit the desert floor with pilot "Fats" at the controls due to G LOC in April 2003. This shot was five months prior to the crash in November of 2002.

Last up is 162307 (USAF serial # 74-1533) in an all gloss black pattern. This is the scheme that it was retired in, and the last time that I was at VFC-13s building a few years ago, its tail was propped up against the wall in the north stairwell! This Tiger is unique in that it originally started off in USAF aggressor service as #33 based at Alconbury. About 1984 Topgun lost one of their F-5Es, and this jet was sent to the Navy as a replacement. It ended up being the only ex-USAF F-5E to get a Navy BuNo (162307) instead of using its USAF serial number (741533) like all of the ex-USAF Tigers that followed some six years later. Fightertown did decals in 48th scale for this bird.

All for now ;0) Fred K.

Edited January 24, 2014 by f5guy

[phantom]

Thanks for posting these ones!!!!

[Sven Harjacek]

Hello Mr.Fred, thanks a lot for sharing these wonderful images!

Could you (or someone else) explain what's the story behind foreign flags on the tails of #21 and #22?

Kind regards, Sven Harjacek.

[phantom]

Well adversary / aggressor airframes mimic the flight profiles of potential countries (in this case) the US may have to deal with. Hence the Iraq and North Korean flags. Russian type star on the rest.

[f5guy]

More Saints...... All photo's taken by me except #01.

Here's 73-0865 in an earlier two gray scheme. Peter Rolt photo.

This is 160792 (USAF serial # 73-0858) in the "Shamu" paint scheme. Its pretty much the standard F-5E export air superiority scheme (like the Swiss use), but the colors are different. Fightertown did decals for this jet in 48th scale. I was chatting with a Saints pilot about the effectiveness of this scheme, and he told me that it sticks out like a sore thumb over the desert in the summer, but over patchy snow in the winter it was lethal. This scheme was short lived, and this was the only jet that got it.

Here's 160794 (USAF serial # 73-0872) again in a three gray wrap-around scheme. The pattern looks to be the SEA pattern.

Here's both sides of 159880 (USAF serial # 73-0895) in a two gray scheme. This is one of the original Topgun jets and served them for many years as #42 (see pic below).

Enjoy! Fred.

Edited January 24, 2014 by f5guy

[Pete]

Cool stuff. I must say I like the USN patterns and colors more than the USAF ones. I really dig that Shamu one.

[f5guy]

More Saints ;0)

First up is F-5F 84-0456. It was one of the last two F's built that served with US forces (Singapore got the last F-5Fs built). Its seen here at the Fallon airshow in 1998 wearing a rather plain overall gray scheme. However, by next years airshow..... (see below)

..... it was painted up in this awesome two gray tiger scheme. Twobobs did decals for this jet in 48th scale.

Here's 74-1530 again, but now wearing a three gray scheme. Interestingly, this scheme starts off in the SEA wrap-around pattern for the first two thirds of the jet, then just turns into whatever....! Its like the person that was painting it got bored by the time they got to the tail and said "the heck with it!"

74-1536 was another jet that got the gray tiger scheme, and was also covered by Twobobs in 48th and 32nd scales.

Up next is 74-1564 in a three gray scheme.

And here is 74-1564 again after repainting into a different three gray scheme.

Last up is 162307 again, but this time in the two gray scheme that it wore before it got the all black scheme a few posts above.

All for now, Fred.

[f5guy]

Hello Mr.Fred, thanks a lot for sharing these wonderful images!

Could you (or someone else) explain what's the story behind foreign flags on the tails of #21 and #22?

Kind regards, Sven Harjacek.

Hi Sven,

As Phantom replied, the USN adversary units simulate the aircraft of nations considered to be a threat to the US, so at times in the past these aircraft have worn the flags of hostile nations on their tail fins to better portray threat aircraft. If I remember correctly, it seems like VFC-13 only did it for a year or two before they went back to the red star. VFA-127 also did it on their F-5s back in the early 1990's, and VF-126 did it on their A-4s shortly before that. HTH, Fred K.

Edited January 24, 2014 by f5guy

[f5guy]

Cool stuff. I must say I like the USN patterns and colors more than the USAF ones. I really dig that Shamu one.

Yeah, that Shamu one was always a favorite of mine too! I was glad when Brian over at Fightertown contacted me about references for this jet since I had done a walk-around of it, and I gladly sent him everything that I had on it. I was hoping that he was going to cover this jet in 32nd scale as well since that was the scale that I wanted to build it in. Unfortunately he assured me that that won't happen :0( Fred.

[Stefan buysse]

Fabulous pictures, Fred.

Thanks for sharing.

Cool to see one by our friend Peter Rolt too. We met in the desert outside Nellis in 2002.

Could you please shed some light on what the deal is with the cannon on a VFC-13 F-5F.

I plan to build BuNo 761580 in the black scheme from FTD 48-051.

I found some great pictures on the internet...I'm convinced there is a gun barrel on the starboard side.

I'm not sure what is on the port side, I'm pretty sure there is no gun barrel installed. But is the opening for the gun barrel still there or has it been faired over?

Interesting info on the BuNo's as well. The Shamu scheme is one of my favorites too and some time ago I looked up the serial of BuNo 160792. When I found an Air Force serial (73-0858)I assumed it had been a USAF aggressor previously. Now I know that (with one exception) the ones with a real BuNo were always in the Navy.

Cheers, Stefan.

[f5guy]

Fabulous pictures, Fred. :thumbsup:/>/>

Thanks for sharing.

Cool to see one by our friend Peter Rolt too. We met in the desert outside Nellis in 2002.

Could you please shed some light on what the deal is with the cannon on a VFC-13 F-5F.

I plan to build BuNo 761580 in the black scheme from FTD 48-051.

I found some great pictures on the internet...I'm convinced there is a gun barrel on the starboard side.

I'm not sure what is on the port side, I'm pretty sure there is no gun barrel installed. But is the opening for the gun barrel still there or has it been faired over?

Interesting info on the BuNo's as well. The Shamu scheme is one of my favorites too and some time ago I looked up the serial of BuNo 160792. When I found an Air Force serial (73-0858)I assumed it had been a USAF aggressor previously. Now I know that (with one exception) the ones with a real BuNo were always in the Navy.

Cheers, Stefan.

Hi Stefan,

Yes, I met Peter Rolt and Ali Hunt on the approach of nearby Hill AFB about 14 years ago. We have remained friends ever since, and have even met up at Fallon a few times.

Here's a few pics of #20 from the walk-around that I did on it. The right side still has the "gun barrel", but its actually a avionics cooling scoop.

Here's a pic of the left side of the aircraft landing, but I can't tell if the barrel is there or not. I doubt that it would be faired over.... it would either be there or not.

As for BuNo's any F-5E/F beginning with 159xxx or 160xxx are original USN. All others are ex-USAF. These were originally destined for the South Vietnamese Air Force, but were diverted to the USN once the South fell.

HTH, Fred.

Edited January 25, 2014 by f5guy

[f5guy]

Here's one last group of F-5Es.....

First up is 74-1539 in the paint scheme that it was retired in.

Next up is 74-1547 in the blue tiger scheme. This was the second jet to get this sceme, 73-0865 #01, being the other. Ironically, when #01 was retired, #10 was renumbered to #01! Check out the Iranian flag on the tail.

Here the original #01 and #03 taxi out to beat up on some unsuspecting Hornet jocks!

74-1568 wears a one of a kind blue, gray, gray scheme. This jet was the highest numbered ex-USAF F-5E that the Saints had. Hasegawa did decals for this jet in one of their 32nd scale kit re-releases.

Here's a couple of pics of the Saints famous tan and brown tiger stripe bird. As many times as I saw this jet, I never did get the good clean, well lit shot that I wanted. Too late now :0(

This shot represents the changing of the guard at VFC-13. #02 was the last F-5E still serving with the Saints at this time. #13 was one of the ex-Swiss jets that had started arriving some years earlier.

Next up.. the F-5Ns! Fred.

Edited January 25, 2014 by f5guy

[f5guy]

Here's some F-5Ns for you guys ;0)

Here's one for Stefan since he's going to build this jet! 76-1580 used to be a Swiss F-5E, but it got converted to an F-5F. Twobobs did decals for this jet on their Double Trouble sheet. I haven't had a chance to scan, and clean this slide up yet, so its not the best scan.

Check out the antenna arrangement on 76-1549. This was the only Saints Tiger that had this arrangement when this photo was taken on 9-20-13.

76-1578 wears a very attractive tan, brown and green scheme. Shortly after a big Alpha Strike launched, this Tiger taxied out, and then just sat there for about five minutes. I asked my pilot escort "Durka" what he was doing. He chuckled evilly and said that that pilot had the best mission that they flew. The Saints will send one Tiger out about 15 minutes after the strike group launches. About the time that the strikers are coming off of their targets, low on gas, in roars this lone F-5 with tons of gas to wreak havoc! "Durka" said it was a real blast! A very target rich environment ;0)

76-1551 recovers after battling it out with a blue forces Alpha Strike.

Lt. Pat "Sqweezer" Taylor brings 76-1528 back to earth after engaging the same strike group as #04 above. About two thirds of the Saints jets are currently in these three gray paint schemes, but the pattern seems to differ on every jet.

A handful of Saints Tigers currently wear this attractive blue, blue gray scheme that 76-1537 wears.

Last up is 76-1544 in the Saints 40th Anniversary colors. Someone needs to do decals of this jet ;0)

Fred.

Edited January 25, 2014 by f5guy

[Hajo L.]

What does this "AF" means, that most fighters sport on their tail? My VFC-12 F-18 has the same logo...

HAJO

[phantom]

AF is CVW-20. The reserve air wing. Like AJ is CVW-8, AG is CVW-7 etc.

One thing for sure it does NOT stand for "Air Force".

[SERNAK]

This is one of the original Topgun jets and served them for many years as #42 (see pic below).

Enjoy! Fred.

Hi Fred and thanks for sharing all these fantastic photos!!!

I think #42 - probably during the early 90s- was transfered to VFA-127, and got a red-outlined in yellow #23, carrying the same paint scheme. You can find a photo of this F-5 in the book Superbase 8 - NAS FALLON by Osprey.

Edited January 28, 2014 by SERNAK

[f5guy]

Hi Fred and thanks for sharing all these fantastic photos!!!

I think #42 - probably during the early 90s- was transfered to VFA-127, and got a red-outlined in yellow #23, carrying the same paint scheme. You can find a photo of this F-5 in the book Superbase 8 - NAS FALLON by Osprey.

Hi Sernak,

You are correct, this jet later went on to VFA-127 and briefly served with them in its Topgun colors, before getting repainted and eventually ending up with VFC-13. As you have seen in the Superbase 8 book, there were also several other ex-Topgun F-5E/F's that ended up with VFA-127 as well. Also, two of Topguns E's went to VF-126, along with a couple from VF-43. Take care, Fred.

Edited January 30, 2014 by f5guy

[Brian P: Fightertown Decals]

Love the pictures Fred!

Actually Fightertown Decals has done a lot of those jets that you show but don't mention us...

maybe I should start a FTD inspiration thread and sponsor prizes ;)...

-brian

[phantom]

Lucky for us.......Brian is indeed a sponsor.

[f5guy]

Love the pictures Fred!

Actually Fightertown Decals has done a lot of those jets that you show but don't mention us...

maybe I should start a FTD inspiration thread and sponsor prizes ;)/>...

-brian

You've covered so many of these subjects Brian, that I forget which ones you have and have not covered! ;0) Fred.

[SERNAK]

You've covered so many of these subjects Brian, that I forget which ones you have and have not covered! ;0) Fred.

There's always room for more!!!!! AND WE ARE expecting more!!!!!

Just take the book of Bert Kinzey, "Colors & Markings of the U.S. Navy Adversary Aircraft" Brian, and produce decals for every aircraft you see in it!!!!!!!

[Stefan buysse]

Here's one for Stefan since he's going to build this jet! 76-1580 used to be a Swiss F-5E, but it got converted to an F-5F. Fred.

Thanks, Fred.

I did not know that this was previously a Swiss singleseater. Pretty cool for me...I have fond memories of seeing the Swiss Tigers during a summer holiday in 1985.

I found it amazing how they flew through those valleys at great speeds.

Another thing I like about this decal option is that there are 4 pilot names and their callsign on the jet. Your escort "Durka" is one of them.

Cheers, Stefan.

[f5guy]

More saints F-5Ns for you guys! Non of these slides have been cleaned up yet, so apologizes for my not so great images.

When VFC-13 first started to get their ex-Swiss jets they were numbered in the 20 series for a very short time like 761570 #21 pictured. Most of these jets were later detached to NAS Key West for s short time before that VFC-13 detachment was given full squadron status as the resurrected Sundowners of VFC-111. This jet was one of them, and is now VFC-111 107. The VFC-13 markings depicted here were covered by Fightertown Decals on their sheet 48064 "Adversary Ghosts".

761570 as Sundowners 107.

I haven't seen this jet, 761536, since I took this shot back in April of 2007, so I'm not sure if it went to the Sundowners or stayed with the Saints.

761583 #26 is another jet that I'm not sure of the squadron status of.

In August of 2009 761562 was the CO's jet, and one of only a handful in a snappy brown tan and green scheme.

By August of 2010, 761548 was the CO's jet. It later went to VFC-111 as their CO's jet with the full sunburst on the tail.

By September of 2013 761549 was the CO's jet.

761537 started off as #02, but was later renumbered to #11.

All for now ;0) Fred.

Edited February 2, 2014 by f5guy

[f5guy]

Thanks, Fred. :thumbsup:/>/>

I did not know that this was previously a Swiss singleseater. Pretty cool for me...I have fond memories of seeing the Swiss Tigers during a summer holiday in 1985.

I found it amazing how they flew through those valleys at great speeds.

Another thing I like about this decal option is that there are 4 pilot names and their callsign on the jet. Your escort "Durka" is one of them.

Cheers, Stefan.

Hi Stefan,

All three of the F-5Fs now in service with VFC-13, VFC-111, and VMFT-401 (one jet each) are ex-Swiss F-5Es that were converted to F-5Fs. I believe, but have been unable to confirm, that what they did was to take the front fuselage section off of the remaining three F-5Fs that the Navy was retiring at the time (BuNo's 160764, 160766, and 840456), and trade out the forward E sections of the ex-Swiss jets, thus converting them to F's. I have read articles that have implied this, but again, I do not know for sure if this is what happened. I do know that the three original F-5Fs all disappeared about the same time, and that all three of the "new" F-5Fs showed back up within a short time of each other. If anyone else has info on this, I'd love to hear it!

Also, if you look closely on your Twobobs Double Trouble sheet, you will see that Lt. Pat "Sqweezer" Taylor is also one of the names on the canopy rails of the black F that you're building. I posted the pic of Pat landing 06 in one of my earlier posts. Pat now flies drones for the CIA... sshhhhh.... Take care, Fred.

Edited February 1, 2014 by f5guy

[SERNAK]

Wow boy!!

I think I'm gonna have to sell all my stash and then buy as many F-5s, either Monogram and/or AFV CLUB, as I can in order to make all these wonderful paint schemes, including the necessary copies of decals' sheets.