[FormerViperDriver]

The suggestions so far are nice (particularly like that new VFC-111 scheme), but far too US-centric. The F-5 was built for international export, and that's where it made its true mark, not in US aggressor squadrons (where I'll grant you the cammo patterns are very nice). So please do foreign F-5s, some have great paint schemes as well.

I know the problem will be with the many small (or not-so-small) differences between variants (I guess an E model probably requires a different mould than an A), but I'd go for foreign F-5s before any US types, including Skoshi Tiger. Swizerland, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Spain, South Korea, Norway, Canada, Chile, even Mexico (and many, many more).

Is the planned release confirmed to be an E versus an A model?

FVD

[Kiwi Dave]

Don't forget Saudi Arabia, a Gulf War version please and an Iranian A or E for the Iraqi Mig-21 to play with!

[b-huj]

Any bare metal/silver livery would be welcome!

From a pragmatic point of view...Hobby Master seems to be good at replicating silver or bare metal planes. I liked a lot how HM painted their MiG-21s (Russian and Polish). I hated the Corgi Predator (using HM mould and workmanship) MiG-21, a totally different kind of paint that makes it look like the plumbing in my toilet. On the other extreme we have the Corgi classic "disco glitter", were metal paint particles are so huge you could actually count them and the varnish is so reflective it looks like a woman's painted nails.

[David Hingtgen]

Since it's getting a lot of attention, here's the front:


Please note that like VFC-13's planes (which is where VFC-111 came from--they're basically a new Key West detachment of VFC-13), VFC-111's are all F-5N's. (Which is what the USN calls their ex-Swiss F-5E's, as they have been upgraded with the nose and LEX's of the F-20)

[djjeffhall]

I know that the U.S. used the F-5 in combat over Vietnam. I'm presuming the South Vietnamese airforce did as well. Who else has used them in combat? I understand that the Agressor liveries are going to be VERY popular, as that is how most folks know the bird, but I'm personally more biased towards combat birds and I'm hoping to see a few from the U.S. and other combatants.

[Rooffie]

Talking about foreign F-5's....
Here's a dutch version, the NF-5. This was not a standard F-5A/B since the RNAF requested many changes like flaps on the front side of the wings and an arrestor hook. Many of these changes were used in the F-5E.

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I know that the U.S. used the F-5 in combat over Vietnam. I'm presuming the South Vietnamese airforce did as well. Who else has used them in combat?

Well, as pointed out (albeit rather indirectly) by Kiwi Dave, the Iranian AF sure used them in combat (a lot!) against Iraq, and the Saudis used them in Desert Storm. And yes, the South Vietnamese AF did fly it against the North as well. Can't think of any other significant case of F-5s in actual combat, though.

FVD

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I know that the U.S. used the F-5 in combat over Vietnam. I'm presuming the South Vietnamese airforce did as well. Who else has used them in combat? I understand that the Agressor liveries are going to be VERY popular, as that is how most folks know the bird, but I'm personally more biased towards combat birds and I'm hoping to see a few from the U.S. and other combatants.

I know all these weren't used in battle but I thought it made quite a list of operators

• Austria
• Bahrain
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Republic of China
• Ethiopia
• Greece
• Honduras
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Libya
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Paraguay
• Pakistan (Temporarily borrowed from allied countries during a war against India)
• Philippines (most of the F-5 are retired by end of 2006, except F-5B for extended upgrade - TBD)
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• South Vietnam: Vietnam Air Force
• Vietnam: Vietnam People's Air Force (several captured ex-VNAF planes)
• Spain
• Switzerland

[hawkonevoodoo]

and the last 6 I had to post separately because I'm limited to 30 images at one time.
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey: Turkish Air Force
United States: United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps
Venezuela
Yemen

[Kiwi Dave]

Morocco, Ethiopia and Yemen F-5's have also been used in combat. Not sure if Bahrain used its F-5's during the 1991 Gulf War but their F-16's were used. No doubt Philippine F-5's have bombed a few anti government rebels.
Also not sure if Venezuelan F-16's destroyed any Venezuelan F-5's in a clash between bases. I know a Tucano and some Mirage 50's were shot down/destroyed by F-16's.