Remember when you were
young and foolish and you actually believed the painting
instructions that came with the kit? Well this is the
tragic result.
I originally started this
for IPMS Vancouver's "Big Mouth" contest (see
my Fujimi
Skyhawk for an explanation) but as usual, didn't finish
it in time. It's built out of the box but as it wasn't
going to make the contest I threw in some photo etched
seat belt buckles.
The recommended Humbrol
paints were used and therein lies the problem. The green
is way off and bears no resemblance to the dark green
used on CF-5As.
Nonetheless, the CF-5A
& CF-5B kits that Esci put out are outstanding models,
easily rivalling anything put out by Japanese companies.
Excellent detail, fine recessed panel lines and a very
nice decal sheet. Optional parts are included for a recon
nose (pictured) or the regular pointy nose.
The fuselage is moulded
in front and rear halves in order to accomodate the two
seat version in a seperate release and this is really
the only fit problem in the kit. I jammed a piece of sprue
in the rear fuselage to force the sides apart and it lined
up with the front quite nicely.
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