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Due for release in June or July this year – Freedom Models new 48th
scale aircraft kit is the rather rare and “forever the bridesmaid” F-20A
Tigershark. Let’s have a look at the initial release CAD shots they have sent
us in today’s preview…..
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Freedom Models new June/ July 2015 release
F-20A Tigershark
1/48
Kit no #18002
ETA: Jun/July 2015
release
Northrop developed the F-20 Tigershark in response to a U.S.
Government call for the private development of a tactical fighter specifically
tailored to meet the security needs of allied and friendly nations.
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The first flight of the Tigershark was made August 30, 1982.
The Mach 2 class F-20 Tigershark's basic single-seat configuration was formally
designated the F-20A. The F-20 combined propulsion, electronics and armament
technologies with improvements in reliability to sustain high sortie rates in
adverse weather.
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The F-20 incorporated a combination of advanced technology
features. The F-20 could carry more than 8,300 pounds of external armaments and
fuel on five pylons. It could carry six Sidewinder missiles on air-to-air
missions. For air-to-ground missions, more than 6,800 pounds of armament could
be carried. Two internally mounted 20mm guns were standard equipment on the
Tigershark.
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The avionics system features a General Electric multimode
radar, Honeywell laser inertial navigation system, General Electric head-up
display, Bendix digital display and control set and Teledyne Systems mission
computer.
The F-20 is powered by a General Electric F404 engine, with
17,000 pounds of thrust. The F404 is recognized as one of the world's most
reliable advanced technology engines. It is also used to power the U.S.
Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18A Hornet strike fighter.
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Once airborne, the F-20 pilot utilized his multimode radar,
which could detect and track targets at ranges of up to 48 nautical miles
"look up" and 31 nautical miles "look down." The F-20
mission computer coordinated the aircraft's weapons systems. The head-up
display placed critical weapons, target and flight data at the pilot's eye
level. This allowed him to fight without having to look down. Northrop designed
a new panoramic canopy for the F-20 that gave the pilot a 50 percent increase
in rearward visibility over previous Northrop fighters. An improved seat and
headrest design combined to substantially expand over-the-shoulder visibility,
which is critical in air-to-air combat.
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Aerodynamic features of the F-20 included an enlarged
leading edge extension to the wing, which generated up to 30 percent of the
lift maneuvers. The "shark-shaped" nose allowed the F-20 to maneuver
at much higher angles of attack than current operational fighters. The F-20
airframe could withstand nine G's.
The F-20 was reliable and easy to maintain. Based on
comparisons with the average of contemporary international fighters, the F-20
consumed 53 percent less fuel, required 52 percent less maintenance manpower,
had 63 percent lower operating and maintenance costs and had four times the
reliability.
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F-20A Specifications
Maximum Speed Mach 2 class
Sea level
rate-of-climb 52,800 feet/minute
Combat ceiling 54,700 feet
Takeoff distance 1,600 feet
Takeoff Distance 4,200 feet
Scramble order to
brake release 52 seconds
Scramble order to
29,000 feet 2.5 minutes
Time to 40,000 feet
from brake release 2.3 minutes
Acceleration Time 0.3M to 0.9M, at 10,000 feet 28 seconds
Sustained Turn Rate 0.8M at 15,000 feet 11.1
degrees/second
Maximum Load Factor 9g
Length 46 ft 6 in
Height 13 ft 10 in
Wing Span 26 ft 8 in
Internal Fuel 5,050 lbs
External Fuel 6,435 lbs
Takeoff Weight clean 18,005 lbs
Combat Thrust/Weight
ratio:1.1
Combat Weight 50% fuel, 2 AIM-9 missiles 15,820 lbs
Maximum Weight 27,500 lbs
Armament
Two AIM-9 missiles
Five pylons, more
than 8,300 lbs external armaments
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More on this model
kit as it comes to light – till then check out the Freedom Models site to see
their other releases.
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