The F-20 Tiger Shark was unique in modern times in that it was a privately financed light, inexpensive single jet engined fighter designed and built by Northrup Aircraft Corporation for the foreign export market.  While it was based on the older Northrup F-5 E Tiger single jet engined fighter built in the mid 1970s, the F-20 Tiger Shark featured a new, uprated engine that greatly improved overall performance along with modern avionics and an over-the-horizon radar fire control system.  By the time the F-20 Tiger Shark was available for export in the early 1980s, it was competing for sales with jet engined fighters like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and as a result no orders were placed and the entire program was officially cancelled in 1986.  In total, only a handful of F-20 prototypes were produced.  The performance characteristics of the prototype F-20 Tiger Shark included the following: 1) Top speed of over Mach 2; 2) Combat range of about 350 miles; and 3) Service ceiling of 55,000 feet.  It was intended that the F-20 Tiger Shark would carry two 20 mm and two missile pods.  This older, out-of-production Northrup F-20 Tiger Shark model is molded in gray plastic and includes the following: 1) Authentic markings for one of the three Northrup prototype aircraft; 2) Clear canopy and 3) Illustrated assembly instructions.  The box is in excellent condition.  Never started and 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions inventoried.