{"product_id":"1-72-rf-5e-royal-saudi-air-force","title":"1\/72 RF5E Royal Saudi Air Force","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHobby Master 1\/72 RF-5E Royal Saudi Air Force\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Royal Saudi Air Force purchased Northrop Grumman F-5Bs and F-5Es with the first being delivered by in-flight Trans-Atlantic crossings arriving in February 1974. The first two squadrons were operational by late 1975 and began to replace the BAC Lightning. By 1977 there were 35 F-5s based at Dhahran and 35 at Khamis Mushait. By 1978 the F-5E was the Saudi main multi-role fighter. In January 1985 the first of 10 RF-5Es began to arrive. At least 4 of the RF-5Es arrived with all black paint schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned partly to meet a US Navy requirement for a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter to operate from Escort Carriers, the F-5 first flew on July 30, 1959. Development of the F-5 continued even after the Navy withdrew its Escort Carriers, and the aircraft eventually evolved into the light, supersonic \"Freedom Fighter,\" serving US allies during the Cold War and as a supersonic trainer in the US. The second-generation F-5 (\"Tiger II\") also served US allies, but because it was small and maneuverable like a MiG it was also used by the US military as a training and \"aggressor\" aircraft, acting as the opposing force during military wargames.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- Scale 1:72\u003cbr\u003e- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components\u003cbr\u003e- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details\u003cbr\u003e- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals\u003cbr\u003e- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors\u003cbr\u003e- Interchangeable extended\/retracted landing gear\u003cbr\u003e- Presentation stand to display the aircraft \"in flight\"\u003cbr\u003e- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards\u003cbr\u003e- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41262980563100,"sku":"HA3359","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/products\/HA3359_94498db3-b5af-467d-bd54-597139801849.jpg?v=1644410794","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyco.com.au\/products\/1-72-rf-5e-royal-saudi-air-force","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}