The Swiss Patrouille Aerobatic Team was officially formed in August 1964 equipped with the Hawker Hunter and carried out regular operations when not practicing or performing. In 1994 the team traded their Hunters for the F-5E Tiger II which they began to use in 1995. The F-5E is a much more maneuverable aircraft and probably will be in service with the team well into the 2020's. The team is based at Emmen and in 1996 smoke generators were added to make the maneuvers more visible during their approximate 18 minute displays.

Includes decal sheet to mark as the aircraft of your choice, #J-3081 - #J-3091.

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.

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
• Dimensions: 13.3 x 20.4 x 5.7 cm