NF-5A - The Dutch variant of the Canadair Freedom Fighter

[foxtrot19673]

this would basicaly be a copy paste from the chinese one, i much rather have them get something unique like the Fokker S.14 or if we talking about the sub tree maybe the late mirage 5ba or even the Magister, but i really think we should not give every nation in game an F-5
-1

[Thomas_Belgium]

Neither F-5 variants of the one in the chinese tech tree are a copy paste of the NF-5A… As I wrote in this article:

@Thomas_Belgium

Design & Differences with the Canadair CF-5

Design & Differences with the Canadair CF-5

Technically, the NF-5 was the most advanced version of the Freedom Fighter to date. It featured several improvements over the CF-5, such as the incorporation of maneuvering leading-edge flaps into a reinforced wing structure. These electrically-operated flaps, located at both the leading and trailing edges, were synchronized by a control box and operated via a thumb switch on the starboard throttle lever. When set for high-speed maneuvering, the flaps provided a 50-percent increase in the instantaneous turning rate. The NF-5A/B also featured increased external fuel capacity, and the stronger wing structure allowed for more ordnance to be carried, with provisions for larger external fuel tanks and ejector bomb racks.

Differences with the Canadair CF-5

In terms of avionics, many of the systems from the CF-5 were removed. The Dutch NF-5As used the standard Northrop non-computing gunsight but replaced the Sperry gyro heading and reference system with a Bendix attitude and heading reference system. The NF-5 was equipped with a Canadian Marconi Type 668 Doppler navigation system, a 703 navigation system with a roller map, an attitude heading and reference system, emergency UHF radio, and a radio altimeter.

The NF-5 also featured a tailhook under the fuselage and a reinforced windscreen to protect against bird strikes. These modifications, along with others, were later incorporated into the F-5E ‘Tiger II’. As the NF-5 fleet progressed, several upgrades were made, including improved canopies and avionics, as well as the addition of radar warning receivers and ALE-40 chaff and flare dispensers mounted on the rear fuselage. Most NF-5A, like the one in this suggestion, had their wingtip tanks replaced with Sidewinder missile-launching rails.

The F-5E in the Chinese tech tree under the RoCAF comes closest, but even then still would recieve a different flight model, cockpit and ordinance.

This suggestion is not an ‘either x or y’ one, it’s a suggestion for a unique F-5 variant with unique munitions for a nation that could be a separate tech tree, like in the Benelux proposal. I also agree that the MirSIP Mirage 5BA and the Magister should also come in-game, but one doesn’t exclude the other.

[MademoiselleSXXI]

Well, it sure would be there, I guess
Why not, +1

[MademoiselleSXXI]

Did those have armaments tested? Well G at least, I know V didn’t

[rezhin44]

the Vtol one didnt, but gaijin added jets that never had any guns irl in the game so it could work, probably slap two defas and magics and call it a day, i just want to see the fastest vtol jet ever built in the game, it was also enormous so imagine a school bus coming at you at +mach 2, would be hilarious

[MademoiselleSXXI]

As much as I’m against fictionalizing vehicles, half of German high tiers uses missiles they never even owned, so yknow what, screw it, I support the Mirage V

[rezhin44]

honestly id rather see the mirage g first, would probably be more flyable and would def rattle so big nation players because that thing would be really nasty in the right hands

[oom1992]

Slightly better ROCAF F-5A from china tech tree

[rezhin44]

Someone flagged my post because of the f word, amazing. If youre that fragile i cant fathom how you survive when necessity forces you out of your home and into the real world.

[Shin_Kazama]

Big +1 from me, as a supporter of the “F-5 in (almost) every tech tree” idea!
There’s a lot of unique F-5 modifications yet to be added, and this would add something quite nice to the BeNeLux sub tree :D

[Pheonix_RX01]

Im gonna just say this, it wouldn’t matter. Gaijin would model it as a basic F-5 like they did with the F-5A(G) because they couldn’t be bothered to try. You put too much faith in gaijin, still if correctly added would be cool to see.

[Thomas_Belgium]

This expostition photo shows a LAU-3A rocket pod.

RNLAF NF-5 Range Firing, 1980's [8MM]

This video also shows the use of the centre mounted rocket pod.

I’ll add this munition later to the suggestion.

[Thomas_Belgium]

New NF-5A Pre-order!

• NF-5A
  • “Freedom Fighter” title
  • “Emblem of the 313th Squadron” decal
    

Update from the dev stream

I’ll wait for the dev server to see if any ordinance is missing. (And if they add the correct cockpit.)

Dev-thread for the NF-5A

NF-5A on the Leviathan dev server

NF-5A The NF-5A will be coming to War Thunder in the upcoming major patch “Leviathans” as a pre-order premium pack vehicle. This Discussion is an attempt at consolidating all known bug reports on this specific vehicle to see what should and shouldn’t be on the final in-game vehicle. [shot_2025.05.30_18.51.15] Earlier related discission pages Suggestion post Community post As-it-stands state [image] [image] [image] Things to note AIM-9N instead of AIM-9P 60x normal and 30x large…

[TheLastYouSee_psn]

they better add the funny pylon with FFARs.
its still missing on the dutch F-104G aswell.

[Thomas_Belgium]

Yeah, I bug-reported it: Community Bug Reporting System

[Thomas_Belgium]

https://store.gaijin.net/story.php?title=Pre-order_Northrop-NF-5A-Pack

[PlayedStatue626-live]

Seems like it’s in (if I’m correct), congratulations

Also +1

[Thomas_Belgium]

For those interested, a couple more bug reports on the NF-5A on the dev server, much thanks for @Sander2006 for their contribution:

• flap positions:
  Community Bug Reporting System
• landing gear doors:
  Community Bug Reporting System
• Missing ‘R/B D’: “Rocket and Bomb Dispenser”: Community Bug Reporting System

[AR_M4Sopmod2]

I will buy it for the Canadair skin

[Thomas_Belgium]

That’s fair, I hope we’ll also see a dedicated Canadian Canadair CF-116A, especially as the Canadian one can carry some unique ordinance, such as the matra rocket pods for the SNEBs and the LAU-10 pods with the 4x Zuni’s.

The only problem being the lack of countermeasures.

The skin is amazing IRL, I hope the in-game one will do it justice!