Northrop F-5E Tiger II

IIAF Golden Crown, no. 3-7099, Iran, 1970s

Hobby Master 1:72 HA3397

The Golden Crown was Iran's first national aerobatics display team and part of the former Imperial Iranian Air Force from 1958 to 1979. In 1958, fourteen Iranian pilots were sent to Furstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany, for jet aircraft pilot training. One of the five pilots, Nader Jahanbani, happened to observe a practice session of the USAFE Skyblazers at Furstenfeldbruck. After displaying interest, Jahanbani was allowed to fly in the backseat of one of the team's F-84s during several practice demos. This inspired him to create the IIAF's own demonstration team.

Northrop F-5E Tiger II

Designed 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.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.