The F-5 is a supersonic fighter combining low cost, ease of maintenance and great versatility. More than 2,000 F-5 aircraft have been procured by the USAF for use by allied nations. The F-5, which resembles the USAF Northrop T-38 trainer, is suitable for various types of ground-support and aerial intercept missions, including those which would have to be conducted from sod fields in combat areas.
The F-5 first flew on July 30, 1959, and deliveries to the Tactical Air Command for instructing foreign pilots began in April 1964. Pilots from Iran and South Korea were the first to be trained in the F-5, followed by pilots from Norway, Greece, Taiwan, Spain and other Free World nations that have adopted the F-5. A two-place combat trainer version, the F-5B, first flew in February 1964. In 1966-1967, a USAF squadron of F-5s flew combat missions in Southeast Asia for operational evaluation purposes.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has a YF-5A on display in its Modern Flight Gallery.
Type Number built/
converted Remarks
YF-5A 3 Prototype
F-5A 621 Lightweight fighter
RF-5A 89 Photo-recon A model
F-5B 134 Two-seat trainer
F-5E 1,144 Improved A model
RF-5E * Photo-recon E model
F-5F 233 Two-seat trainer
F-5G * Norwegian A model
RF-5G * Photo-recon G model; from RF-5A
Notes:
* = not used by USAF
- CF-5A and B were built in Canada for the Canadian Air Force.
- NF-5A and B were Royal Netherlands Air Force aircraft.
- SF-5A and B (C-9/CE-9) were CASA built aircraft for the Spanish Air Force.
- The RF-5E photo-reconnaissance variant was known as the "Tiger Eye."
- The F-5G was the Royal Norwegian Air Force variant of the F-5A known as the "Tiger Shark."
- The RF-5G was the Royal Norwegian Air Force variant of the RF-5A.
TECHNICAL NOTES (F-5A):
Armament: Two 20mm cannons, rockets, missiles and 5,500 lbs. of bombs externally
Engines: Two General Electric J85s of 4,080 lbs. thrust each with afterburner
Maximum speed: 925 mph
Cruising speed: 575 mph
Range: 1,100 miles
Service ceiling: 50,700 ft.
Span: 25 ft. 10 in.
Length: 47 ft. 2 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 20,576 lbs. loaded
NORTHROP F-5 TIGER II
The F-5E Tiger II was a greatly improved version of the earlier F-5A Freedom Fighter. Redesigned as a highly maneuverable, lightweight and inexpensive air superiority fighter, the E model featured an air-to-air fire control radar system and a lead computing gunsight. More powerful J85 engines required the fuselage to be both widened and lengthened. The forward wing root was redesigned to give the "Tiger II" wing its characteristic triple delta shape.
The first flight of the F-5E was on Aug. 11, 1972. The first USAF unit to receive the aircraft was the 425th TFS at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., responsible for training foreign pilots in the F-5 aircraft. The most well-known use of the "Tiger II" was as an aggressor aircraft at the USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The aggressor pilots of the 64th Fighter Weapons Squadron were trained in Soviet tactics and used the Es to similate MiG-21s for training USAF pilots in aerial combat skills. Eventually, aggressor squadrons were formed at RAF Alconbury, U.K., and Clark AB, PI, for training USAF pilots stationed overseas along with pilots of friendly foreign nations.
Type Number built/
converted Remarks
YF-5A 3 Prototype
F-5A 621 Lightweight fighter
RF-5A 89 Photo-recon A model
F-5B 134 Two-seat trainer
F-5E 1,144 Improved A model
RF-5E * Photo-recon E model
F-5F 233 Two-seat trainer
F-5G * Norwegian A model
RF-5G * Photo-recon G model; from RF-5A
Notes:
* = not used by USAF
- CF-5A and B were built in Canada for the Canadian Air Force.
- NF-5A and B were Royal Netherlands Air Force aircraft.
- SF-5A and B (C-9/CE-9) were CASA built aircraft for the Spanish Air Force.
- The RF-5E photo-reconnaissance variant was known as the "Tiger Eye."
- The F-5G was the Royal Norwegian Air Force variant of the F-5A known as the "Tiger Shark."
- The RF-5G was the Royal Norwegian Air Force variant of the RF-5A.
TECHNICAL NOTES (F-5E):
Armament: Two M-39 20mm cannons, rockets, missiles and 5,500 lbs. of bombs externally
Engines: Two General Electric J85-GE-21s of 5,000 lbs. thrust each with afterburner
Maximum speed: 1.63 mach at 36,000 ft. (1,050 mph)
Cruising speed: 650 mph
Range: 2,300 miles (maximum with external fuel tanks)
Service ceiling: 50,700 ft.
Span: 26 ft. 8 in.
Length: 48 ft. 2 in.
Height: 13 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 24,675 lbs. maximum takeoff weight
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