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VFC-111, also known as the "Sun Downers," is a U.S. Navy Reserve fighter squadron that operates the F-5N Tiger II. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, and plays a crucial role in adversary training, simulating enemy aircraft in air combat training exercises. The F-5N Tiger II is a lightweight, highly maneuverable aircraft, ideal for this purpose. VFC-111's mission is to provide realistic air combat training to enhance the combat readiness of Navy and Marine Corps aviators. Like other "Agressor Squadrons", VFC-111 aircraft are often painted in color schemes that are representative of foreign air forces that currently pose a potential threat to US interests.

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-5N Tiger II - USN VFC-111 Sun Downers, NAS Key West, FL, 2013