.

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter

 .

Aircraft of the South Vietnamese Air Force

 .
.

                  .

Development

Entwicklung

 

The Northrop F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II are part of a supersonic light fighter family, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance.

Though primarily designed for the day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies. Though the USAF had no acknowledged need for a light fighter, it did procure roughly 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.

  

Die Northrop F-5A und F-5B Freedom Fighter und die F-5E und F-5F Tiger II sind Teil einer Überschall-Leichtjägerfamilie, die ursprünglich in den späten 1950ern von der Northrop Corporation entworfen wurde. Kleiner und einfacher als Zeitgenossen wie die McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, kostet es weniger die F-5 zu beschaffen und zu betreiben und ist damit ein beliebtes Exportflugzeug. Die F-5 wurde in den 1950ern von Northrop als privat finanziertes Lichtjäger-Programm ins Leben gerufen. Das Entwicklungsteam wickelte einen kleinen, hoch aerodynamischen Jäger um zwei kompakte und leistungsstarke General Electric J85-Triebwerke, wobei Leistung und niedrige Wartungskosten im Mittelpunkt standen.
Obwohl das Flugzeug in erster Linie für die Luftüberlegenheit am Tag konzipiert wurden, ist es auch eine leistungsfähiges Angriffsflugzeug. Die F-5A wurde Anfang der 1960er Jahre in Dienst gestellt. Während des Kalten Krieges wurden bis 1972 mehr als 800 für US-Verbündete hergestellt. Obwohl die USAF keine Notwendigkeit für einen leichten Jäger hatte, beschaffte sie ungefähr 1.200 Trainer der Northrop T-38 Talon, die direkt auf der F-5A basierten.
                  .

Variants

Versionen
 

F-5A

Single-seat fighter version of F-5, originally without radar, but was later equipped with AN/APQ-153 radar during upgrades.

F-5A

Einsitzige Jägerversion der F-5, ursprünglich ohne Radar, wurde aber später während Upgrades mit AN / APQ-153-Radar ausgerüstet.
 

RF-5A

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5A fighter.

  

RF-5A

Einsitzige Aufklärungsversion des F-5A Jägers.
 

F-5B

Two-seat trainer version.

  

F-5B

Zweisitzige Trainerversion.
 

F-5C

12 F-5A  "Skoshi Tiger" Freedom Fighters were tested by the US Air Force for four and a half months in Vietnam.

  

F-5C

12 F-5A  "Skoshi Tiger"Freedom Fighters wurden von der US Air Force viereinhalb Monate in Vietnam getestet.
..

Operational history

Einsatzgeschichte

 

      
.
 

 

 

522 Fighter Squadron (1968)

522 Fighter Squadron (1968)

522 Fighter Squadron (1969)
 

 

 

522 Fighter Squadron (1970)

522 Fighter Squadron (1971)

522 Fighter Squadron (1973)
 

 

 

536 Fighter Squadron (1973)

536 Fighter Squadron (1975)

536 Fighter Squadron (1975)
 

 

 

  

540 Fighter Squadron (1974)

542 Fighter Squadron (1974)

  
.
 
Specifications F-5A

Wingspan

Spannweite

7.70 m

Length

Länge

14.38 m

Height

Höhe

3.92 m
Wing area Flügelfläche

15.79 m²

Engine

Motor

2 × General Electric J85-13  afterburning turbojets 2,900 lbf each

Maximum speed

Höchstgeschwindigkeit

1,381 km/h

Empty weight

Leergewicht

3,270 kg

Loaded weight

Startgewicht

5,485 kg

Climb Rate

Steigrate

170.7 m/s

Service ceiling

Gipfelhöhe

15,240 m

Range

Reichweite

1,835 km

Armament

Bewaffnung

2 x 20 mm Guns, up to 3'200 kg of Bombs

Capacity

 Zuladung

1 Pilot
.
 
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter
Type

US Serial

Reg.

s/n

Delivered

Withdrawn

Remarks

F-5A

63-08382

-

N.6019

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Korea

F-5A

63-08383

-

N.6020

6. Nov. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Iran

F-5A

63-08384

-

N.6021

Nov. 1972

 29. Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to VPAF

F-5A

63-08385

-

N.6022

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Korea

F-5A

63-08386

-

N.6023

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

63-08387

-

N.6024

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

63-08389

-

N.6026

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Korea

F-5A

63-08390

-

N.6027

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Korea

F-5A

63-08391

-

N.6028

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

63-08393

-

?

?

?

?

F-5A

63-08394

-

N.6031

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08395

-

N.6032

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08396

-

N.6033

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

63-08398

-

N.6035

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08399

-

N.6036

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08400

-

N.6037

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea, w/o

F-5A

63-08401

-

N.6038

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08402

-

N.6039

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08403

-

N.6040

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 63-08404

-

N.6041

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

 63-08406

-

N.6043

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 63-08407

-

N.6044

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

63-08408

-

N.6045

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5C

63-08428

-

N.6065

16. Apr. 1967

1973

522. FS, 538. FS, w/o

F-5A

63-08431

-

N.6068

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08434

-

N.6071

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

63-08436

-

N.6073

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5B

63-08447

?

N.8010

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

64-13306

-

N.6075

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

64-13309

-

N.6078

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to US

F-5A

64-13311

-

N.6080

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

64-13312

-

N.6081

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5C

64-13314

13314

N.6083

16. Apr. 1967

1973

522. FS, w/o

F-5C

64-13315

-

N.6084

16. Apr. 1967

?

522. FS

F-5A

64-13317

-

N.6086

15. May 1974

5. 1975

to China ?

F-5A

64-13318

-

N.6087

16. Apr. 1967

?

-

F-5A

64-13325

-

N.6094

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

64-13326

-

N.6095

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

64-13327

-

N.6096

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 64-13329

-

N.6098

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 64-13330

-

N.6099

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 64-13331

-

N.6100

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan
F-5C 64-13332

13332

N.6101

16. Apr. 1967

1973

ex. Taiwan, 522. FS, w/o

F-5A

 64-13357

-

N.6126

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Iran

F-5A

 64-13358

-

N.6127

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex Iran, to Iran

F-5A

 64-13359 - N.6128

Dec. 1972

 1973

ex Iran, w/o

F-5B

64-13386

?

N.8024

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10482 - N.6143

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

 65-10489

-

 N.6150

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10493

-

 N.6154

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10494 - N.6155

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10495 - N.6156

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10496 - N.6157

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10497 - N.6158

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to VPAF

F-5C

 65-10513 - N.6174

16. Apr. 1967

?

-

F-5C

 65-10514 - N.6175

16. Apr. 1967

?

-

F-5C

 65-10515 - N.6176

16. Apr. 1967

1973

w/o

F-5A

 65-10516 - N.6177

Dec. 1972

1973

ex. Taiwan, w/o

F-5C

 65-10518 - N.6179

16. Apr. 1967

1973

w/o

F-5A

 65-10521 - N.6182

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10522 10522 N.6183 Dec. 1972

Apr. 1974

ex. Taiwan, to Korea

F-5A

 65-10523 - N.6184 Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10524 10524 N.6185 16. Apr. 1967

?

522. FS

F-5A

 65-10525 10525 N.6186 16. Apr. 1967

?

522. FS, 538. FS

F-5A

 65-10526 10526 N.6187 16. Apr. 1967

29. Apr. 1975

522. FS, to Korea

F-5A

 65-10527 - N.6188 Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Korea

F-5A

 65-10528 - N.6189 Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10529 - N.6190 Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10530 - N.6191 Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10531 - N.6192 Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 65-10532 - N.6193 Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Korea

F-5A

 65-10533 - N.6194 Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10534 - N.6195 Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10535 - N.6196 Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10536 10536 N.6197 Dec. 1972

1973

ex Iran, w/o

F-5A

 65-10537 - N.6198 Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10538 - N.6200 Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran
F-5A 65-10539 - N.6201 Dec. 1972 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 65-10543

-

?

?

?

?

F-5A

 65-10544 10544 HJK N.6205 Dec. 1972 ?

ex Iran, 542. FS

F-5C

 65-10546 - N.6207 16. Apr. 1967

1973

522. FS, w/o

F-5C

 65-10547 - N.6208 10. May 1967

1973

522. FS, w/o

F-5A

 65-10553

-

N.6214

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10554

-

N.6215

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 65-10555

10555

N.6216

?

?

ex. USAF

F-5C

 65-10556

10556

 N.6217 Apr. 1967 1973 w/o

F-5A

 65-10557 10557 N.6218 22. Jan 1969 ? -

F-5C

 65-10558

10558

 N.6219 16. Apr. 1967 ? 522. FS
F-5C 65-10559 10559 N.6220 16. Apr. 1967 1973 w/o
F-5C 65-10560 10560 N.6221 16. Apr. 1967 ? 522. FS

F-5B

65-10586

 HZA

N.8030

18. Mar. 1967

?

522. FS

F-5B

65-10587

 -

N.8031

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5B

65-13074

 -

N.6007B

18. Mar. 1967

?

522. FS

F-5C

 66-09130 69130

N.6234

23. Sep. 1967

 1973 w/o

F-5A

 66-09131 69131

N.6235

23. Sep. 1967

29. Apr. 1975

to Korea

F-5C

 66-09139 69139

N.6243

1968

 1973 w/o

F-5A

 66-09140

-

N.6244

20. May 1969

1973

w/o

F-5A

 66-09143

HBJ

N.6247

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

 to Korea

F-5A

 66-09144 -

N.6248

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 66-09145 -

N.6249

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 66-09146 -

N.6250

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 66-09147 -

N.6251

Dec. 1972

Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, to Korea

F-5A

 66-09155 - N.6259 Dec. 1972 ?

ex. USAF

F-5A

 66-09170 HJC N.6274 Dec. 1972 29. Apr. 1975 ex Iran, to VPAF

F-5A

 66-09171 69171 N.6275

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09172 -

N.6276

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09173 -

N.6277

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran, w/o

F-5A

 66-09174 -

N.6278

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran (not assembled)

F-5A

 66-09175 -

N.6279

Dec. 1972

?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09178 -

N.6282

 Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09179 -

N.6283

 Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09180 -

N.6284

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09181 -

N.6285

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09183 -

N.6287

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09185 -

N.6289

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09186 -

N.6290

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09187 -

N.6291

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09188 -

N.6292

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09189 -

N.6293

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09190 -

N.6294

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09191 -

N.6295

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 66-09193

-

N.6297

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09194

-

N.6298

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09195

-

N.6299

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09200 -

N.6304

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09201 -

N.6305

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09202 -

N.6306

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09204 - N.6308

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09205 - N.6308

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-09206 - N.6310

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5B

66-09231

 -

N.8039

14. Dec. 1972

 ? -

F-5B

66-09232

 -

N.8040

14. Dec. 1972

 ? -

F-5A

 66-14457

-

N.6311

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-14459 -

N.6313

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-14460 -

N.6314

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Taiwan

F-5A

 66-14461 -

N.6315

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to Korea

F-5A

 66-14462 -

N.6316

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 66-14463 -

N.6317

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21153 HZO

N.6344

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21154 -

N.6345

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21159 -

N.6348

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21160 -

N.6349

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Taiwan, to VPAF

F-5A

 67-21162 -

N.6351

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21168 -

N.6355

Dec. 1972

1973

ex. Taiwan, w/o

F-5A

 67-21169 -

N.6356

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21170 -

N.6357

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21171 -

N.6358

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21172 -

N.6359

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Taiwan

F-5A

 67-21175 -

N.6362

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 67-21184 -

N.6371

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 67-21186 -

N.6373

Dec. 1972

?

ex. Korea

F-5A

 67-21187 -

N.6374

Dec. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex. Korea, toTaiwan

F-5A

 67-21212 -

N.6399

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 67-21213 -

N.6400

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran

F-5A

 67-21214 -

N.6401

Dec. 1972

 ?

ex Iran
F-5C 66-09129 -

-

-

-

 to Thai Air Force

RF-5A

 69-07148 - RF.1028 18. Jun. 1970 ? 522. FS, ex Korea

RF-5A

 69-07151 - RF.1031 ? 1973 w/o

RF-5A

 69-07160 - RF.1040 ? 1973 w/o

RF-5A

 69-07161 - RF.1041 ? ? -

RF-5A

 69-07162 97162 RF.1042 ? ? 522. FS

RF-5A

 69-07163 97163 RF.1043 Jan. 1971 ? 522. FS

RF-5A

 70-01616 - RF.1056 ? ? -
F-5A 71-00266 - N.6536 20. Dec. 1971 ? -

F-5A

 71-00267 - N.6537 20. Dec. 1971 ? -

F-5A

 71-00268 - N.6538 21. Jun. 1972 29. Apr. 1975 ex Libya (embargoed), to USAF
F-5A 71-00269 - N.6539

21. Dec. 1972

 ? ex Libya (embargoed)
F-5A 71-00270 - N.6540

21. Dec. 1972

 ? ex Libya (embargoed)

F-5A

 71-00271 - N.6541 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex Libya (embargoed), 538. FS, to VPAF

F-5A

 71-00272 - N.6542 28. Mar. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

ex Libya (embargoed), to VPAF

F-5A

 71-00273 - N.6543 28. Mar. 1972 ? ex Libya (embargoed)

F-5A

 71-00274 - N.6544 29. Mar. 1972 1973 ex Libya (embargoed), w/o

F-5A

 71-00275 10275 FUA N.6545 20. Mar. 1972 ? ex Libya (embargoed), 540. FS, t

F-5A

 71-00276 - N.6546 28. Mar. 1972

29. Apr. 1975

 ex Libya (embargoed), to Taiwan

F-5A

 71-00279 - RF.1065 ? 1973 w/o

RF-5A

 71-01037 - RF.1072 ? ? -

RF-5A

 71-01038 - RF.1073 ? ? -

F-5B

73-01606

 -

N.8125

6. May 1974

 ? -
F-5B 73-01607 - N.8126 6. May 1974 Apr. 1975 to USAF
F-5B 73-01608 31308 N.8127 ? ? -
F-5B 73-01609 - N.8128 ? Apr. 1975 to Thai Air Force
.
-

last update 1. January 2018

written 1. January 2018

-

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