The Modelling News: Confirmed: Two new Tiger II's in large scale from Storm Factory

A few weeks ago we saw these two new F-5's in 1/32nd scale from a new company - "Storm Factory". We think they might be tied to another well-known company whose box art is VERY similar :-) ). We look at the real things and what we know about the kits in our preview...

Confirmed: Two new Tiger II's in large scale from Storm Factory

The Subject - the F-5N/E & F-5F

The F-5 was developed by Northrop Grumman for export through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in February 1965.This aircraft was initially offered as a candidate for a U.S. lightweight fighter, but became extremely popular as an export finding its niche in the overseas market. In December 1970, Northrop Grumman began development and production on the F-5A-21, an aircraft design that emphasized maneuverability rather than high speed and was officially reclassified as the F-5E.

The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

As a tactical fighter aircraft, the F-5N accommodates a pilot only in a pressurized, heated and air conditioned cockpit and rocket-powered ejection seat while the F-5F is a two-seat combat- capable fighter. This aircraft has an upward opening canopy, which is hinged at the rear. The design places particular emphasis on maneuverability rather than high speed, notably by the incorporation of maneuvering flaps. Full-span leading-edge flaps work in conjunction with trailing-edge flaps and are operated by a control on the pilot's throttle quadrant. The F-5 also has anti-skid brakes, initial navigation system (INS), ALR-87 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), AN/APQ-159 radar and ALE-40 chaff/flare capability.

The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.

The F-5N/Fs are third-generation F-5 fighter aircraft designed for replacement of the F-5A/B/E production models. These aging aircraft were replaced by low-hour F-5E/F aircraft acquired from the Swiss Air Force surplus by United States Navy (USN) in 2006.

The Swiss aircraft were updated as F-5N/Fs with modernized avionics and other improved systems and re-baselined by Northrup Grumman to USN configuration which provided a safer, lower-flight time Adversary aircraft with increased capability for Department of Navy (DoN) pilots. These aircraft are assigned to government facilities, namely, Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and NAS Fallon, Nevada and continue to support the adversary training mission. These aging aircraft were also supplemented with additional low-hour F-5E/F aircraft acquired from the Swiss Air Force surplus by United States Navy in 2020.

The kits: F-5EF & F-5N from Storm Factory

A few weeks ago we saw news of these two kits, looking every inch a re-boxing and maybe a slight new tool on the Kittyhawk model kits. Although at the time, they were sold by a less than reputable seller online. We were naturally cautious.

Now HLJ has included them in their books, we know they are legitimate. We thought you would want to see them. We have a look at the features of both kits now.

F-5N/E Tiger II US Navy VFC-111

by Storm Factory

Kit No #32001

1/32nd scale

Plastic kit with photo-etch & first edition resin engines.

Six marking choices inside the box

Mar. Release

$94.58 USD from Hobbylink Japan

There are six marking choices for this kit. These include USN adversary aircraft, RKOF, RSAF and old-skool F-5E aircraft also! Stencils are included for weaponry too!