1:72 Italeri Kfir (801163) converted to Cheetah C SAAF

Hi, this is an adapted Cheetah C in 1:72. I made this about 13 years ago when I was 17. There was no Cheetah C kit at that time that was cheap enough for my pocket money (High Planes made a limited run kit but it cost about £15 then, more than I could afford!).

I really wanted a Cheetah C, so I bought the nearest thing to it - an Italeri Kfir C-7. The Kfir C-7, although similar to the Cheetah E, has a J-79 engine (you can see the extra intake in front of the tail on the real plane) and different exhuast. The nose of the C differs from the Kfir C-7 too.

So, I cut off the J-79 intake, cut off the nose and replaced it with the front of an F-15 fuel tank. I added small strakes to the nose cut from styrene sheet. I cut down the top of the exhaust cowl to make it look like the Cheetah C. I also added ejector seat grab handles made from wire. I also bought the SAAF decals, although the tail fin decal is really a USAF marking as I had no 2 Squadron marking then. I also tried to make the front windscreen from plastic, as the Cheetah C has no frames, but I had to use the Kfir widscreen, so it is inaccurate.

Hope you like it.



The real Cheetah C

Great build,

When posting a completed model in the gallery section could you please include the scale, make and product code in the title. Check all of the threads you have started and edit the titles please. I know it is a pain but it keeps the forum tidier

Josh

Roger Kemo Sabe, posts amended.

Excellent work

Bernard