The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models: the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants, and the extensively updated F-5E and F …

Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighter (N-156C) twin-engine single-seat lightweight supersonic reconnaissance fighter, photos, specifications and performance data

The F-5A is a small, lightweight, low cost, easy-to-maintain supersonic fighter, well suited to the needs of friendly foreign countries who didn’t need, couldn’t afford, and couldn’t maintain the bigger, more complex fighters in the U.S. inventory.

F-5A (63-8372, 65-10573), 1984-1991, components used to build two prototypes with forward-swept wings and other aerodynamic features. Built by Grumman Aerospace Corp. as Model G-712, tested by NASA.

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.

A very weathered RF-5A in its final years of operations. The recce aircraft was delivered under a Military Assistance Program (ex 70-1618) to Greece and served 349 MIA at Larissa. It was retired from service in 1996 and is preserved at Terpsithea airport near Larissa since 2006.

The RF-5A was developed in the 1960s as a tactical reconaissance aircraft. Its nose is modified to hold four KS-92 cameras. Eighty-five were produced, all for export customers (see Exports section).

Today all 3 F-5 squadrons operate out of Paya Lebar. All F-5s serve as interceptors with a secondary attack role armed with bombs, rockets and AGM-65 Mavericks Air-to-Surface missiles. In addition, 144 Sqn acts as a conversion unit for the type, operating most of the F-5Fs in service.

RF-5A The RF-5A (N-156C) is the reconnaissance version of the F-5A. It was ordered in October of 1967 but made its first flight in May of 1968. It retained some combat capability with an additional four KS-92 cameras mounted in the nose.

The RF-5A was the reconnaissance version of the F-5A. It was ordered in October 1967 and made its first flight in May 1968. When the RNoAF was looking for a replacement for the F-86F and K in the early sixties, price and cost-efectiveness were important considerations.