The first of many skeletons

[Old_Tonto]

This is the 1/72 Matchbox F-5B kit that I started sometime in the last century!
Sorry about the image quality.



It's nice & small so will make a good lunch time project.

I gave it a coat of auto primer to higlight any gaps or floors.
There are quite a few! I removed the Sidewinder launchers as they were wonky.



Also the total lack of cockpit detail is not great with such a big clear canopy showing it off.
There isn't even a cockpit floor & I could not add any side wall details as the seats are way too fat.
I will have to do something with those too. No instrument panels either - must be tricky to fly!



I have trawled the stash for decals & found some Turkish ones for this aircraft
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Turkey-- ... 694cd42b8e

Anyway it should keep me busy & out of the pub!

[Old_Tonto]

I managed to fit this cockpit tub into the space provided.



It came from an old Airfix Magister. Great find.

I will make some seats tomorrow & paint the tub once the glue has set.

[JamesPerrin]

Good bit of recycling there. The kit seats look like they should be in piston fighter.

[sesquipedalian]

Such a nice, clean shape these F5s.

[Old_Tonto]

Making slow progress on this one but the pit is just about there:





and the canopy still fits.



I just need to fill the gap behind the back seat. I will have to install some gubbings to represent the canopy mechanism.
Some metalic painted sprue and bits of wire should do it.

I am going to have a go at crash molding another canopy - just because I have never had a go before & I need one for another F-5B.
Wish me luck

[Dirkpitt289]

Looking good. That's a smart looking cockpit.