Northrop F-5E Tiger II – “Pa Capona”, LVb Fl 31, Swiss Air Force, Sqn Disbandment 2017

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3360: Northrop F-5E Tiger II J-3074 of LVb Fl 31, Swiss Air Force, Switzerland, Squadron Disbandment 2017. Production run of 700 models.

Length 7.75 inches Wingspan 4.5 inches

The Swiss AF was disbanding three squadrons that will be reformed into two new units. To mark the disbanding each of the three squadrons gave one F-5 a special paint scheme. Lehrverband Flieger 31 (LVb Fl 31) Flight Training Unit 31 chose F-5E J-3074 c/n L.1074 (81-00833) to receive “Pa Capona 31”. Translated “Pa Capona” means “Never give up!” or “Don’t Surrender”. The badge of 31 TU is displayed on the starboard side of the nose, and markings for Fliegerstaffel 13 on the port side and a lion on the tail.

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.