Monogram 1/48 F-20

[stikpusher]

I built this one several years back. It’s built straight OOB aside from adding a fin antenna on the spine, and changing the war load ordnance. I did this as a “what if?” from the Mexican Air Force using Aztec Decals

[406 Silverado]

Whadda frickin PAINT JOB!!! Very impressive camo work Carlos. WOW man.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Joe! I love those wraparound camo schemes. I ended up having to paint the rudder stripes as well, because the decals that I used were for a F-5E, which has a slightly different size & shape.

[406 Silverado]

I'm pretty dang impressed by those soft camo lines. What kind of AB are you using and what paint is that?

[garydavis]

Great job on that plane stik!! That paint scheme is killer.

[stikpusher]

Thanks! I used Humbrol enamels, their SEA colors, and my ProModeler 6100, made by Thayer & Chandler, single action, internal mix. I’m a big fan of Humbrol enamels, and really liked that ProModeler airbrush. I had to go back and do a bit of touch up work to clean up overspray areas, particularly on the tan.

[keavdog]

I love all the variants of that Northrop airframe. Great camo job and just overall an awesome looking build. Aztec have some interesting stuff. I ordered a generic set of Hinomaru decals in all different scales. Pretty nice stuff. Set G-002 if you're interested.

[stikpusher]

May 11, 2023 12:27:13 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I love all the variants of that Northrop airframe. Great camo job and just overall an awesome looking build. Aztec have some interesting stuff. I ordered a generic set of Hinomaru decals in all different scales. Pretty nice stuff. Set G-002 if you're interested.

Yes, the F-5 family, America’s Mig-21 equivalent. From the F-5A to the F-20, it is one hell of a hot rod fighter. Never quite what the USAF brass wanted, but what a machine!

I have the Aztec Falklands/Malvinas War multi subject decal set. I used the Mirage III decals on the one that I built back in ‘12. I plane to use them on my long sidelined Sea Harrier whenever I get that one wrapped up. I also have an Aztec Decals set for “Latin Jugs” 😏, P-47s in the service south of the border. I already have two Aeromaster Hinomaru decal sets- one IJAAF, and one IJNAF, that are sized for various types. But thanks for the heads up, in case I do come across some. One can never have too many national insignia decals.

[TJ]

Great looking whiffer Stik. Always wondered why the F-20 never went anywhere

[stikpusher]

Thanks TJ.
The story of the F-20’s demise is one of politics. When the Reagan administration took over in 1980, they lifted a lot of export restrictions on non NATO countries fro F-16s. The USAF pushed the F-16 in foreign sales to get a lower unit price for individual aircraft due to larger production numbers. With state department restrictions no longer in place, most countries that would have opted for the F-20 if F-16 purchase was not possible, suddenly had access and USAF backing to purchase F-16s. With no customers, the F-20 program died out.

[Medicman71]

Very nice Stik! I'd like to get one of these.

[robbo]

Very nice. How is the canopy staying open? It looks like it's hovering, can't see where it's fixed

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys.
Robbo, the canopy is held open by the internal support. You can barely see the pistons attached to the front 1/4 angle view. The kit comes with frame work parts to pose the canopy open or shut

Better view of it here…

[jeaton01]

Nice one, Carlos. One of my favorite airplanes, too. Except for needing 10,000 foot runways they would make a great sport plane.

[stikpusher]

Thanks John. I was under the impression that the F-20 was one of the fastest types, if not the fastest, to get wheels up from engine start. It supposedly beat out the F-16 in a fly off in that aspect.