Matterhorn Circle | MC32018: 1/32 F-5 E/F Tiger II

Reviewed by Jean-Paul Poisseroux

Switzerland is a small and very pretty country, neutral and very discreet. Aviation has never lagged behind. They went from the propellers to the jet engine without problems. After the P-51 Mustang, the de Havilland Vampire became the first jet aircraft. The Hunter, the Mirage (were), the F-5 Tiger II and the Hornet (are) the sky’s guardians. "Swiss quality and precision" are at the rendezvous on the Tiger II decals.

You’ll find the six different Staffel:

N° 1 based at Dübendorf Air Base;
N°2 based at Payerne Air Base;
N°8 based at Meiringen air base;
N°11 based at Meiringen air base;
N°12 based at Emmen Air Base;
N°13 based at Payerne Air Base;
N°18 based at Payerne Air Base;
N° 19 based at Sion Airport.

Twelve serials are proposed:

Ten F-5E Aircraft Decorations

J-3001, the first F-5E delivered. A big tiger face is painted on left side. Black nose (sharp design, no lerx, first generation type aircraft). 2nd decoration, day-glo orange and 4 round black and white targets fixed on left /right fuselage (for air/ground tests), based at Emmen. (New generation; flat nose + Lerx added.)
J-3008, staffel 19 transfered to staffel 8. (new generation; flat nose + Lerx added.)
J-3025 staffel 18 transfered to staffel 11. (new generation; flat nose + Lerx added.)
J-3045 staffel 19 (first generation).
J-3030 To fill the gap in Austria between the withdrawal from service of the Saab Draken and the deposit of the Eurofighter and guarantee the surveillance of the airspace, Switzerland and Austria concluded in April 2004 a lease of twelve F-5E Tiger of the Swiss Air Force. This contract, the duration of which was limited at the end of 2008, covered the rental of the twelve aircraft, logistical support, the retraining of Austrian pilots and the training of ground staff. The Austrian nationality markings (white triangular on red circle) is very interesting.
J-3066 staffel 13. The last F-5E oredered by the Swiss Parliament in 1976 under the 'Peace Alps' programme. First flight for J-3066 took place on March 13th 1981. Until 1999 she carried the Peace Alps I badge on her nose. After a full repaint, Squadron 8 adored her with their Squadron insignia. She got sold to the US Navy and left Emmen on November 10th, 2006 to fly with the Saints (76-1591) (first generation type).
J-3074 staffel 11.(last generation). The aircraft was zapped on the event of the Air Base Buochs closure in April 2003.
J-3098 i staffel 19n1996 she participated at the NORKA Campaign,badge on her r/h nose. This badge was replaced with the Flugplatz Kommando13 shield in 2012 J-3098 was the last F-5E ordered with the Peace Alps II programme. in 1981 and handed over to the Air Force on March 26th, 1985. Today J-3098 resides in the Aircraft Museum Dübendorf (last generation).
J-3079. When the F- 5E would be closed, the last flying session was marked with a special logo « LAST PILOT CLASS ON F-5 TIGER », but the F-5E fly again…(last generation).
J-3092. Staffel 11. Emblems carried on 2 sides (last generation).

Two F-5F Aircraft Decorations

J-3207. F-5F Staffel 1
J-3212. F-5F.the last two seater aircraft delivered. A special marking was painted (2 tigers faces).

As usual, the first pages printed show the maintenance, stencils, markings painted on the aircraft, left/right/top/under surfaces.

It’s very clear, no mistakes for you to place them correctly. The quality printed is first class (as usual), thin, good color.

Priced at CHF30 (US$33.00), these decal represent good value for the modeller.

For the F- 5E , you’ll use the Hasegawa (early/last version aircraft), Revell (last version aircraft), Kitty Hawk (last version aircraft).

The oldest kits (Hasegawa/Revell) are good, the panels are raised. You can rescribe them to get a new standard. You can added the resin cockpits if you want. The last kit arrived (from Kitty Hawk) has engraved surface detail.

For the F-5F, Kitty Hawk has producing this 2-seater version.

These decals are highly recommended. Available from M32018: c-one.

Matterhorn Circle | MC32018: 1/32 F-5 E/F Tiger II

Reviewed by Jean-Paul Poisseroux

Ten F-5E Aircraft Decorations

Two F-5F Aircraft Decorations

Related Content