- Yes
- No
Hey guys today I’ll be suggesting the ROCAF RF-5E
History
In the late 1990’s the Republic of China Air Force began looking for recon aircraft that would replace its aging RF-104’s. They decided to convert some of their F-5E’s to RF-5E’s. However instead of converting them domestically they sent the F-5E’s to Singapore where the ST Aerospace company would handle the conversions. They were sent to Singapore in 1996 and were received back in August 1997.
After reception they were assigned to the 4th reconnaissance squadron. This squadron has its roots dating back to 1937 when it was a bombing squadron and mainly operated SB-2 bombers and later B-25’s. However beginning in the mid 1950’s they were converted into a recon squadron with the RF-86 being their first recon aircraft. Afterwards they operated RB-57’s, RF-100’s, and RF-101’s.
Their main mission is to conduct recon missions along the Taiwan strait and Chinese coastline, gathering information and keeping an eye on Chinese forces. In times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods the RF-5E’s also conduct recon missions to help guide rescue forces and help gather information on the scale of the destruction.
The main differences between the RF-5E and the F-5E is that the RF-5E loses its AN/APQ-159(V5) radar and one M39 20mm gun in exchange for nose cameras. These changes made the RF-5E’s nose about 8 inches longer giving it its distinct look. The nose cameras it carries are the KA-87 forward facing camera, KA-95 low altitude camera, Type 900 medium altitude camera, and RS-710E Infrared detection camera.
The type 900 camera is mounted under the cockpit and its camera display is mounted in lieu of the radar display.
It’s AN/ASG-31 front optical sight is still retained and a counterweight was added under the tail to balance out the extra weight added to the nose.
Specifications
General characteristics (ripped from Wikipedia for F-5E couldn’t find stats for RF-5E but should be similar)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
27 ft 11.875 in (8.53123 m) with wing-tip missiles
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.077 m)
Wing area: 186 sq ft (17.3 m2)
Aspect ratio: 3.86
Airfoil: NACA 65A004.8[244]
Empty weight: 9,583 lb (4,347 kg)
Gross weight: 15,745 lb (7,142 kg) clean
Max takeoff weight: 24,675 lb (11,192 kg)
Fuel capacity:
Internal fuel: 677 US gal (564 imp gal; 2,560 L)
External fuel: up to 3x 275 US gal (229 imp gal; 1,040 L) drop-tanks
Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.0
Zero-lift drag coefficient: CD0.0200
Frontal area: 3.4 sq ft (0.32 m2)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J85-GE-21 afterburning turbojet engines, 3,500 lbf (16 kN) thrust each dry, 5,000 lbf (22 kN) with afterburner
Performance:
Maximum speed: Mach 1.63 (1,741 km/h; 1,082 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Maximum cruise speed: Mach 0.98 (1,050 km/h; 650 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Economical cruise speed: Mach 0.8 (850 km/h; 530 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Stall speed: 124 kn (143 mph, 230 km/h) 50% internal fuel, flaps and wheels extended
Never exceed speed: 710 kn (820 mph, 1,310 km/h) IAS
Range: 481 nmi (554 mi, 891 km) clean
Combat radius (20 min reserve): 120 nmi (140 mi; 220 km) with 2x Sidewinders + 5,200 lb (2,400 kg) ordnance, with 5 minutes combat at max power at sea level
Ferry range: 2,010 nmi (2,310 mi, 3,720 km) [245]
Ferry range (20 min reserve): 1,385 nmi (1,594 mi; 2,565 km) drop tanks retained
Ferry range (20 min reserve): 1,590 nmi (1,830 mi; 2,940 km) drop tanks jettisoned
Service ceiling: 51,800 ft (15,800 m)
Service ceiling one engine out: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
Rate of climb: 34,500 ft/min (175 m/s)
Lift-to-drag: 10:1
Wing loading: 133 lb/sq ft (650 kg/m2) maximum
Thrust/weight: 0.4 take-off thrust at maximum take-off weight
Take-off run: 2,000 ft (610 m) with two Sidewinders at 15,745 lb (7,142 kg)
Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 2,900 ft (884 m) with two Sidewinders at 15,745 lb (7,142 kg)
Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 3,701 ft (1,128 m) without brake-chute
Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 2,500 ft (762 m) with brake-chute
Armaments:
1 x M39 20mm cannon
2 x AIM-9P4 all aspect sidewinder
Defense:
45 x countermeasures
RWR
In Game:
The RF-5E would be a pretty unique aircraft in Warthunder. It has no radar so it would have a disadvantage in locating enemies in RB and even more so in Sim battles. However it still has capable offensive capabilities with its 2 x all aspect AIM-9P4’s and 20mm cannon. In the future if more recon aircraft are added with recon capabilities this would be a pretty great aircraft to have as it can perform recon duties while also being combat capable.
Sources
http://skywarriors-gallery.com/rocaf 4sq.htm
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-5戰鬥機#RF-5E虎眼式偵察機
https://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=368&t=6008307
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Military_aircraft_at_Hualien_Air_Force_Base