Barcode: 0 89195 85040 9
Case Pack: 24 Per case
Box Size: 7.5" x 13" x 1.8"

Special Features:
- New-tooled nose for F-5E Recon
- Undercarriage comes with detail
- Left and right propeller blades created from different molds
- Fuselage and booms engraved with fine panel lines
- Photo-etched parts to upgrade details
- Clear canopy and cabin with crisp details
- Cartograf decals offer accurate markings

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is notable for being the only American fighter to remain in production throughout the duration of WWII, from Pearl Harbor to VJ Day. Perhaps the most successful theater for this twin-boom fighter was in the Pacific, and indeed the USA’s top ace, Richard Bong, earned 40 victories in a P-38 Lightning. The P-38 performed a number of roles, one of them being reconnaissance.

In this case, the craft’s normal complement of machine guns was replaced with cameras. Lockheed built more than 1400 reconnaissance aircraft in the P-38 family, with one of the more prominent models being the F-5E based on the P-38J/L airframe. A total of 605 F-5Es were eventually built. The F-5 was nimble and fast, an ideal aircraft to penetrate deep behind enemy lines and take aerial photographs that would provide valuable intelligence to commanders.

The subject of Dragon’s latest 1/72 scale aircraft kit is an F-5E reconnaissance aircraft. The model is a fine rendition of this important reconnaissance aircraft. While it’s based on P-38 models already available from Dragon, it has been given a work-over to incorporate all the required changes. For example, Dragon’s design engineers have given it a completely new nose specific to this camera-carrying version. Even the smallest detail is accurately portrayed in this new F-5E, and panel lines are delicately scribed. Thanks to clever engineering, it’s also a pleasure to assemble. This special new kit of the F-5E enlarges the P-38 family line from Dragon…it’s enough to make modelers smile for the camera!