F-5A "Hellenic Air Force" 69138, 343 DIS, 113 CW, Mikra AFB, 1996 (1:72 Scale)

Model History and Information: The Hellenic Air Force was the first European operator of the Freedom Fighter, receiving its initial F-5As in 1965 and eventually fielding a large mixed fleet of F-5A, F-5B and RF-5A aircraft that served until 2002. This single-seat F-5A flew with 343 Squadron, a day-interceptor unit that converted to the type in 1966. From 1974 the squadron was based at Mikra near Thessaloniki under the 113 Combat Wing, where it stood air-defense alert over northern Greece for much of the type's Hellenic career. Tasked primarily with day interception and secondarily with fighter-bomber duties, the F-5 remained a dependable Cold War guardian of Greek airspace.