Stefan buysse Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Hi, Since the Furball sheet came out, I've been picking up some second hand Italeri Tigers at shows. The F-5F was bought new because I didn't come across any at shows. I'd love to build the silver one, it should look nice with the golden backgrounds for the names. I still have some figuring out to do with regard to the noses and LEX's. The F-5F needs the older ones, I'm not sure if can get there easily with these kits. If not, I'll go with that F-5E next to it on the instructions. Top Gun GB 1 by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Top Gun GB 2 by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted September 5, 2018 Author Share Posted September 5, 2018 Hi, The first one I'll build is F-5F 160966 from 1978. At the time she had the original nose and LEX's. Looking through my stash of Italeri Tigers, I discovered that I can build this one. In the picture, the F-5F (kit No 1382) is on the left, a late F-5E with the shark nose and extended LEX (kit No 1363) is in the middle, an original F-5E (kit No 136) is on the right. Somehow they kept the original nose on the F-5F, although the extended LEX is there and the shark nose is clearly illustrated in the instructions. Good for me: I can fairly easily shave a bit off the LEX's to match the original ones, I would have a much harder time exchanging noses. Top Gun GB -3 by StefanBuysse, on Flickr I'm going to concentrate on getting that F-5F built first. One or two F-5E's might be next. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 I think there is an aftermarket kit for the F-5E, to convert it to an F-5F (around $35) By the way the rear cockpit of the F is.....🤬 I would expect from Italeri to at least have added a more descent representation than the one the kit has right now. Anyhow, looking forward for the next steps of your builds Stefan! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Hi, Thanks for looking and for the info on the conversion set, SERNAK. I'm keeping the cockpits as simple as Italeri provides...I'm just aiming for a pretty model. I think it should turn out that way with the silver scheme and the golden nameplates. So far, I've filled the holes for the underwing pylons and I painted and installed the cockpits. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 Hi, The top and bottom fuselage halves have been glued together. There will be a seam to eliminate. F-5F 28 Sept by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 Hi, Slowly getting there. Top Gun F-5F 17th Nov by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Slowly is better than not! Looking forward to seeing paint on your build. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share Posted December 16, 2018 Hi, Standing on her own legs, ready for the silver paint. Top Gun F-5F 16 December by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 Hi, The kit has been painted silver now. Somehow, she doesn't look that good for the moment. A bit of a toylike appearance. I hope that will improve with the darker metal paint on the engine area and decals, which I'll do in the next couple of days. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted January 1, 2019 Author Share Posted January 1, 2019 Hi, The darker metal paint is on the exhausts, it's so subtle that it may not even show up in photographs. Tomorrow, I'll add the pitot tube and paint the nosecone. I'll post a picture tomorrow night and on thursday, I hope to apply the decals. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 Hi, Such a picture isn't exactly flattering, is it? She does look a bit better in reality. I hope the decals will improve the look a lot. Top gun F-5F 02Jan by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Getting close to wrapping up this build. Looking forward to seeing decals on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted January 4, 2019 Author Share Posted January 4, 2019 Hi, She's done. I hope my other Top Gun Tigers end up looking a bit better. Top Gun F-5F 04Jan-4P by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Top Gun F-5F 04JanP by StefanBuysse, on Flickr A more pleasing image, I'm glad to have a model with the Top Gun badge on the tail. Beautifully printed. Top Gun F-5F tailP by StefanBuysse, on Flickr I'll post a couple more shots in the thread for the finished builds. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Nice! A silver adversary is on my To-Build list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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