Opps...F20 Tigershark.

[RichB]

There is also the dual version.

And for those with a nostalgic streak.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[moon puppy]

That paint scheme is really tempting. Paint it white first, mask and then red.

 

[Sharkmouth]

I was wondering why that 10 year old comment got LOL on.

Hey, my reactions are slow! We are ALL getting older!

 

[Sharkmouth]

And for those with a nostalgic streak.

Thanks @RichB, I built the Monogram kit when it came out and enjoyed it so had to take a look at the new kit.

 

[helios]

Had a lot of potential. I'm sure DoD knew it'd cut into F-16 sales to NATO customers...particularly those that were already flying the F-5E. Why would someone want an updated version of an airframe they were already familiar with that had more power and upgraded avionics when they completely re-learn and refit an entire maintenance organization for an all new airframe. GD was likely deep in key influential political pockets to shut that one down.

Always liked it. I'll probably end up with one someday to build a WHIF out of.

 

[moon puppy]

GD was likely deep in key influential political pockets to shut that one down.

Just like Convair, they had more senators in their pockets.

Also according to wiki, the DoD was the only group who could present the aircraft to sale. so the DoD was selling both the F16 and F20 to other nations, and those nations were saying we'll buy the F20 when USAF buys it.

 

[moon puppy]

Got Tamiya primer one, fixed some spots and then a white primer to check again, got a couple of more spots and a sanding due. I'm going for the show room scheme.
Would be interesting to see this in a NATO what if scheme loaded up with some ordinances. I don't think this thing could ever had carried what modern F16s can load out with.

 

[RichB]

At the time the F-16 was limited in air to ground weapons load and couldn't carry the AIM-7. With Block 15 it received improved radar, avionics and an enlarged and strengthened wing improving its weapons load and capabilities. Similar plans were also in the works for the F-20 had it gone into production. Design studies were looking at enlarging the wing chord and span wise increasing its area by 30% and adding another weapons station on each wing. It would of likely included an enlarged and lengthened fuselage to maintain its C of G.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Sharkmouth]

What about the proposed loadouts at the time?

• Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) Pontiac M39A2 cannons in the nose, 280 rounds each
• Hardpoints: 7 external hardpoints with a capacity of 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of bombs, missiles, rockets and up to 3 drop tanks for extended range
• Rockets: 2 × CRV7 rocket pods Or2 × LAU-10 rocket pods with 4 × Zuni 5 in (127 mm) rockets each Or2 × Matra rocket pods with 18 × SNEB 68 mm rockets each
• Missiles: 2 × AIM-9 Sidewinders on wingtip launch rails (similar to F-16 and F/A-18)Up to 4 x AIM-7 Sparrows on underwing launch railsAGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles on hardpoints
• Bombs: Various air-to-ground ordnance such as Mark 80 series of unguided iron bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs), CBU-24/49/52/58 cluster bomb munitions, M129 Leaflet bomb

Maverick

 

[moon puppy]

At the time the F-16 was limited in air to ground weapons load and couldn't carry the AIM-7. With Block 15 it received improved radar, avionics and an enlarged and strengthened wing improving its weapons load and capabilities. Similar plans were also in the works for the F-20 had it gone into production. Design studies were looking at enlarging the wing chord and span wise increasing its area by 30% and adding another weapons station on each wing. It would of likely included an enlarged and lengthened fuselage to maintain its C of G.

Cheers,
RichB

Could almost picture the F18 wings on the F20. That would be a neat kit bash if I were that modeler.

 

[RichB]

Could almost picture the F18 wings on the F20. That would be a neat kit bash if I were that modeler.

There was a proposal early in the Super Tiger program to keep the twin engine layout using GE15-J1A1 turbojets and moving the wings to the shoulder position with an extended LEX. It led to the YF-17 Cobra.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[moon puppy]

It's amazing to see the evolutions of some airframes, you can clearly see the F5 in the YF-17

 

[RichB]

I just noticed a detail that might affect your paint scheme. The first prototype (82-0062), that wore the red/white scheme, had the F-5E forward fuselage, cockpit, seat and canopy. The second and third protoypes (82-0063 & 82-0064) had the revised F-20 forward fuselage, cockpit, seat and canopy. The picture of prototypes 1 & 2 in the grey scheme below shows the differences.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[moon puppy]

Nope, not effecting me at all Rich. She's going to get the showroom scheme if I can do it.

 

[RichB]

Oh no, the horror! A "modeler" that wants to build for relaxation and enjoyment using artistic license to build a less the 100% accurate model and pleasing themself. This must surely bring about the end of the hobby.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Barney]

Armageddon has arrived.

 

[RichB]

I do recall an adventurous builder wishing to add a F-5G in the red/white scheme to his collection combining an AFV Club F-5E with the Freedom Model F-20. It involved the liberal use of styrene, putty and cursing to complete.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[moon puppy]

The F-5g was pretty much the same as a F5 but with the big engine?

 

[RichB]

Sort of. The program began in the late 1970's with a request from the DoD to Northrop for a BVR missile capability upgrade to the F-5E for Taiwan with new export policies limting the sale of US frontline fighters to NATO, Australia and Japan. Of course there were exceptions. The F-5G was viewed as a simple upgrade and the restrictions would not apply or an exception would be granted. However the adminstration of the day blocked the sale to Taiwan. The void created by the new export policy ultimately led to more foreign technology transfers and arms sales worldwide. To counter this, the FX (Export Fighter) program was created in 1980. Lockheed Martin responded with the F-16/79 and Northrop with the F-5G, both without frontline avionics.

The first protoype F-5G/F-20 was an engine only change to the F-5E, first flying in August 1982. The next two aircraft (flying in Aug 83 and May 84) incorporated the full cockpit, avionics and flight control suite upgrade, enlarged LEX and increased HStab size. In the mean time, the restrictions on the sale of frontline fighters were being relaxed allowing Lockeed Martin to cancel the F-16/79. With the sale of F-16A's to Pakistan in 1982, potential FX customers began requesting the F-16, viewing the F-5G as a second tier fighter. To counter this, Northrop requested the "F-20" designation and the name "Tigershark" from the USAF in late 1982. Northrop sales were hamstrung by the State Department being named the sole marketing agency for the F-20 under the FX contract. With little enthusiasm in the State Department to be salesmen and no potential customers emerging, the program was cancelled in 1986.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Rhino]

Armageddon has arrived.

I was just watching the premier performance of "Demons On Ice".