Roll Call ....................Sam Publications....................Review of the F-5 Tiger book and update on their monthly magazines

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

F-5 Tiger, Freedom Fighter, Tiger II and Tigereye.
Plus T-38 Talon and F-20 

MDF No 5 Scaled Down.

By Andy Evans 

Book Review 

By Adie Roberts of In War and Peace. 

This is the latest offering from the Sam Publications stable of their fantastic Modellers Data files, and I have to say that it really is spot on.

Contents 

Introduction. 

• Chapter I. Development - Genesis of the F-5
• Chapter II. The F-5 Freedom Fighter -Lightweight- High Performance. 
• Chapter III. The F5E/F Tiger II - Second Generation Fighter. 
• Chapter IV. US Aggressor Tigers-F-5 Bandits. 
• Chapter V. T-38 Talon-Two Seat Trainer.
• Chapter VI. The F-20 Tigershark. 
• Colour Side Views
• Modelling the Tiger 
• Appendix I. Walk Around and Diagrams. 
• Appendix II. Kitography - Contemporary Kits, Decals and Accessories

With a wealth of information in an expertly written book, it is one of those that once you pick it up and start reading you don't want it to finish. So many facts and figures in the book especially around the first chapter on development.

 'I learnt so much in that first chapter that I found myself on Scalemates looking to see if I had an F-5 in the stash to build!'

Chapter 1.

The history of this Northrop plane started out as long ago as 1954, A Northrop team travelled to Europe and Asia to find out the defence needs of NATO and SEATO this lead to a 1955 company design study for a lightweight supersonic fighter, it would have to be relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and capable of operating out of short runways and secondary airstrips as well as escort size carriers. The chapter continues in a similar fashion to the other MDF's with plenty of information about the starting of this particular plane and really is an enthralling read.

Chapter 2.

Gives you all the information of the Freedom fighter F-5 and it's different versions with individual information on each one such as the original prototype the N-156F with additional designs it eventually became the YF-5A and then to became in effect the first production F-5A. Much more information continues on such as an initial production contract for seventy-one F-5's. It goes into some detail about the Reconnaissance version again filling in the gaps about when it was first produced the countries that used them and so forth.
I was particularly interested in the Skoshi Tiger which my grandfather had mentioned about some years back. Skoshi was the corruption of the Japanese word for 'Little Tiger'. In October 1965, the USAF borrowed twelve combat- ready F-5a's from MAP supplies along with several other F-5 A-15 and F5 A-20s, these were turned over to 4503rd tactical fighter wing. These fantastic little fighters flew 2500 hours in a month in a multiple of roles.
The chapter then goes on to the different countries that used them in different forms and uses, it is quite mind numbing the amount of interest from around the world. Countries included Republic of Vietnam, Iran, Republic of Korea, Greece, Philippines, Taiwan, Turkey and more besides. It goes on to mention the different roles in which these were used within the said countries.

Chapter 3.

Goes on to tell you about the F-5 Tiger II and again goes on to give you some of the history behind it and further development of the different versions. RF-5E Tigereye given an appropriate name for a reconnaissance version. More information is given to the different countries that flew these and other Tiger II's it is quite astonishing the amount of information that has been compiled in this book and is a testament to the thorough approach used by Sam Publications on these titles aimed at the modeller.

Chapter 4.

Aggressor Tigers is a chapter all about the most well-known use of the Tiger II in US service, in place to be the enemy fighters during training in a war games scenario. The Tiger II was an obvious choice for the US aggressor squadrons to fly, small and low-wing loaded fighters that are used to represent those of the potential adversaries. It became even more famous in the film Top Gun used as the new Mig 28 and painted in black it certainly looked the part. With fantastic photographs and plenty to read about making it a very useful book for anyone interested in this graceful supersonic fighter.

Chapter 5.

The T-38 Talon is a two seat twin-engined supersonic jet aircraft this was the world's first supersonic trainer and remains in service with several air forces. This chapter is a small one but is still packed with photos and information on this trainer aircraft.

Chapter 6.

The F-20 Tigershark was a vastly improved version of the F-5E, initially given the designation F-5G, this was a privately funded development in January of 1980. This section also includes some eye-catching Tiger colour side profiles with some incredible colour schemes should prove very useful if wanting something a little different.

Chapter 7. 

Modelling the Tiger F-5 is where most modellers may actually start this book as it covers some great builds from some very talented modellers, like the Greek Freedom Fighter a Kinetic kit in 1/48th scale and is built by Matt McDougall.

This chapter is exceptionally helpful with some useful tips given out by the various modellers that have produced some of the different family members of the F-5 Tiger. One that really caught my eye was the impressive Desert Bandit an AFV Club offering built by modeller George Rodis. The colour scheme is a three colour desert camouflage and George gives tips in how to paint this scheme and finally weather it to a high standard.

The builds continue with the various kit manufacturers offering of the freedom fighter like a South Vietnam F-5A using the Classic Airframes Freedom Fighter. The last build is another Kinetic version the Aegean Ghost a colourful F-5A.

The modellers who built the kits:

• Matt McDougal.l 

• Ian Cooper.

• George Rhodis.

• Chad Summers.

• Alexandre Alves. 

• Mario Serelle. 

• Oliver Soulleys.

The walkarounds follow with exactly what you would need detailed pictures of the F-5 being a Brazillian F-5M , this is followed by a Turkish F-5B/2000 an Austrian F-5E, Casa SF-5-B and finally an F-5E.
There is some great pictures very useful pictures of the cockpit of the F-5 also some drawn instrument panels giving clear information of the controls and dials

The final piece is the Kitography which is a list of all the available kits in all three main scales 1/72nd 1/48th and 1/32nd it also includes Accessories and finally decals

Conclusion 

This is yet again another fantastic title from the Sam Publications stable, although aimed at modellers it is such a good read and full of some fantastic pictures which I am sure would appeal to any aircraft enthusiasts. For me I find myself looking for all the Modellers Data Files that I have not got and there is a lot of them. Working closely with Sam Publications I am always looking for the private message from Andy Evans or Steve Elliot to tell me what is next on their list of modellers data files.
I would recommend anyone to this serious of books that is dedicated to the modeller almost as important as the kit and glue itself.

Coming very soon is the next MDF on the Buccaneer this is one I cannot wait for and I am sure it will be a brilliant read.

Update Just in case you have not been reading my posts, reviews or blog Sam Publications also write and produce some outstanding monthly magazines that a lot of our members contribute their incredible builds to like Matt 'Spud' Edwards with his fantastic build of a field modified tank hunter the Jagdpanzer IV, Toby Knight Eagle Strike the Revell 1:48th scale F-15E.

Scale Aviation Modeller International. 

S.A.M.I as it is known affectionately by its publishers is an established magazine which brings you the news, reviews, builds, and competitions. It is aimed at all Aircraft modellers and full of information and gives you an insight as what is new and about to be released. A great touch for this magazine is the new The Sam the news paper

Aircraft Monthly. 

Aircraft monthly is a magazine with a difference it does not follow the usual format and is purely to give tips and show builds of different model kits. It carries lots of pictures of some of the kit builds like the Stealth Fighter and the Cold Weather GR.9

Scale Military Modeller International 

The Magnificent work of Matt "Spud" Edwards

Military modeller international is aimed at the Armour modellers and is again a very well established magazine full of model reviews, builds and news. Many of our group have had model builds published by Sam Publications who are always looking for new modelling talent.

In War and Peace 

Bringing you all the news, reviews from around the modelling world.