TYPE: One-seated fighter-bomber
AMOUNT IN NORWEGIAN SERVICE: 78
ARMAMENT
Primary armament
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2x 20mm M-39 cannons
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2x Chaff - pod flare/chaff
Secoundary armament
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4x Aim 9E Sidewinder air to air missile
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4x Aim 9N Sidewinder air to air missile
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Spermal fire bombs uncertain wieght and amount
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2x Samovar pod
7x External stations for Rockets, Bombs and Missiles up to 2000kg load
TECHNICAL DATA
Wingspan: 7.7m
Lenght: 14.4m
Height: 4.67m
Eigne: 2x Generalø Electric J85-GE-13
Max thrust 1850 kg
Wing area: 15.79m²
Empty weight: 3667 kg
Maximum weight: 9333 kg
Max speed at 11,000 m: mach 1.4
Cruising speed at 11,000 m: mach 0.96
Range w/extra tanks: 2250 km
Here are some Norwegian modifications i know about
- Increased plate thicknesses in the wings
- De-icing possibilities, heater elements on the front part of the cockpit glass and air-intake
- Drag chute
- QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) This modification is uncertain but i am working on it.
- Arresting hook/tail-hook
- JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off)
HISTORY
The Northrop F-5, or the freedom fighter as it is and was called, was developed by the Northrop group, first at its own expense and risk in the mid-50s, then as a two-seat training aircraft for the USAF and from 1958 as a single-seat fighter with two engines and afterburners. The idea was that the aircraft was to be included as part of the US military aid programme. This one-seater eventually received the designation F-5A. The actual prototype for the F-5A flew for the first time on 31 July 1963. At this time, Norway considered several alternatives (Douglas A-4, Northrop F-5 and Lockheed F104H), where the F-5A was one of three possible. In early 1964, the choice fell on the F-5, subject to certain changes to the aircraft, primarily increased plate thicknesses in the wings and de-icing possibilities on the front part of the cockpit glass
The first 11 aircraft, 9 F-5A and two F.5B two-seater training planes, flew via Greenland and to Sola and landed there on 26 April 1966. These aircraft were to go to 336 squadron on the back, which thus became the first department with F-5 . It was also the last to be set up with this fighter in Norway. In total, the Air Force received 78 F-5A, 14 F-5B and 16rf-5a. The first 62 A and B models were part of the Norwegian Armed Forces, while the rest were bought by the state. The RF-5A was a reconnaissance g photo fighter and replaced older models. at 717 squadron on the back. when deliveries ended in 1970, there were 4 fighter-bomber squadrons set up with F-5s, namely 336 and 332 at Rygge, 334 at Bodø and 338 at Ørland. 718 squadron at Sola conducted operational training and eventually also became a pure operational department, equipped with A and B models until the squadron was closed down in 1983. all airworthy F-5s were eventually gathered in 336 squadron. until 31 June 2000 when the squadron was disbanded
The F-5 flew operationally in Norway from about 1966-2000 and was a popular fighter and fighter-bomber. However, it lacked radar, which was a hereditary problem under Norwegian conditions, and therefore had little power.
According to the plan, the planes were to be phased out as they reached a useful life of 3,000 hours, but it became necessary to extend the service for many years beyond this. Therefore, an extensive upgrade and inspection program was carried out to give an expected lifetime of 6,000 hours. Structural and system technical upgrades were carried out well into the 90s to ease the transition to the F-16. The aircraft that had been delivered as part of the Armed Forces Aid were returned to the USAF via Italy in the 1980s, but most of the Norwegian-financed aircraft remained in this country. However, the last 7 aircraft were in official use until 31 December 2007. They participated in Project “eye of the tiger” under the direction of personnel from former 336 squadron. The project involved testing a new naval target missile, then the planes were stored on backs and attempted to be sold without acceptable buyers being found. in about 2013, the planes were distributed to museums and educational institutions in Norway
Eye of the tiger camouflage
SERIAL NUMBERS - times in service and fates
Here are the F-5 Freedom Fighter flying, i think both models are in the video
From 00:16 you can see the JATO in use
PICTRUES
Spoiler
SKINS There are over 11 skins for this plane, here are some of them
Spoiler
Here they are lkisted with a link to a pictrue, and the serial numbers are written down, so you cand find it tin the list i wrote earlier in the post
- DP-C 67-14896 (https)
- 228, 338 66-9228 SQUADRON (https)
- 208, 66-9208 (https)
- 563, 65-10563 (https)
- 336 SQUADRON, 69-7132 (https)
- 156, 334 SQUADRON, 67-21156 (https)
- DP-D, 718 SQUADRON, 67-14897 (https)
- MU-J 338 SQUADRON, 65-10574 (https)
- 577, 332 SQUADRON 65-10577(https)
- RI-F, 336 SQUADRON, 66-9218 (https)
- 134 Tiger, 336 SQUADRON (https) The tiger camouflage were in use while they still was in service!
More will come
SOURCES
Spoiler
Redirecting...
http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/Blogvorm/norsk-luftfartsmuseum/
Northrop F-5 A Freedom Fighter — Norsk Luftfartsmuseum
https://blhf.org/?id=318165221
https://www.norli.no/boker/dokumentar-og-fakta/historie-og-dokumentar/krig-og-historie/luftforsvarets-historie-fortalt-gjennom-75-gjenstander?
https://www.adlibris.com/no/bok/norske-militarfly-9788271286873?
- Yes
- No
