Here's an interesting photo of first Northrop F-5F Tiger II

HERE’s AN INTERESTING PHOTO OF FIRST NORTHROP F-5F TIGER II

By Dario Leone
Nov 25 2017
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The Northrop F-5F was the two-seat trainer version of the company’s F-5E Tiger II and featured a completely new fuselage

Taken at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) the interesting image in this post shows the first Northrop F-5F that piloted by Hank Chouteau performed the first flight on Sep. 25, 1974.

The F-5F was the two-seat trainer version of the company’s F-5E Tiger II and featured a completely new fuselage.

The F-5 is an agile, highly maneuverable, reliable supersonic fighter, combining advanced aerodynamic design, engine performance and low operating costs. More than 2,600 were built by Northrop Grumman and under co-production and licensing agreements with Canada, the Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Switzerland.

From the F-5’s first delivery in 1964 to its final one in 1989, every aircraft was delivered on schedule, at or below the contract price, and with performance as promised. Approximately two-thirds of the original production F-5’s remain operational in 26 countries, including the U.S. The U.S. Navy operates the F-5 in its adversary squadrons to simulate enemy aircraft in aerial combat training exercises. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) used the F-5 in a similar training role.

Since two-thirds of F-5 user countries also operate F-16s, F/A-18s, F-15s or Mirage aircraft, the F-5’s role has shifted from a prime fighter to a lead-in trainer. Many of the international F-5 operators are considering (and some have committed to) basic structural life extension programs and avionics/subsystems upgrade packages to obtain an effective lead-in trainer with a modest investment.

VFC-111 F-5N Print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-5N Tiger II – Sundowners Rising, VFC-111 Sundowners, 2007

Photo credit: Edwards History Office photo / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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