Preorder Expected Arrival - NOV 2024

In 1982 the 44th, 45th and 46th FS formed the 7th FG of the 737th FW. In 1984 the wing converted from the F-5A/B to the F-5E/F and the 46th became a independent TFS reporting directly to the 737th TFW and tasked as an Aggressor Squadron. The 46th TFS F-5Es were painted with large red buzz numbers on the nose and the stenciled "Chung Chen" on the side of the fuselage. In 1988 ROCAF installed its Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System/Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (TACTS/ACMI) training range at Taitung AFB with the 46th TFS as its sole unit.

Designed partly to meet a US Navy requirement for a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter to operate from Escort Carriers, the F-5 first flew on July 30, 1959. Development of the F-5 continued even after the Navy withdrew its Escort Carriers, and the aircraft eventually evolved into the light, supersonic "Freedom Fighter," serving US allies during the Cold War and as a supersonic trainer in the US. The second-generation F-5 ("Tiger II") also served US allies, but because it was small and maneuverable like a MiG it was also used by the US military as a training and "aggressor" aircraft, acting as the opposing force during military wargames.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-5 Tiger II is a sleek and fast looking model that uses a clever mix of metal and plastic components with near-seamless construction. The solid metal wing has sharp-edged plastic leading edge root extensions appropriate to the variant being modeled. The removable canopy provides a clear view of the cockpit's interior features such as the pad-printed front and side mounted instrument panels. Landing gear and doors have been included as one piece sub-assemblies that allow for quick and easy configuration for ground display. The series covers both fighter variants with optional ordnance configurations (see photos) and the long nose reconnaissance variant.

Info:  F-5F Tiger II - ROCAF 737th FW, 46th TFS Aggressors, Red 5380, Taitung AFB, Taiwan