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In the late 1950s, at the height of the Cold War, the Northrop Corporation recognized the need and opportunity for a special kind of export fighter aircraft. Their studies formed the basis for the N-156F, a simple, economical, versatile, and easy to maintain light fighter. In 1963, the aircraft was selected for use with the Military Assistance Program (MAP) countries and designated the F-5A. More than 2,600 F-5 aircraft have been sold or produced in over 30 allied countries. The design shares much in common with the T-38 Talon, the U.S. Air Force's primary advanced trainer for approximately 50 years. Two F-5A airframes were utilized in the design of the experimental Grumman X-29 in the mid-1980s.
Although primarily an export fighter, the F-5 was also used in small numbers by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Based on lessons learned during the Vietnam War, both services were seeking to boost their pilots' air-to-air combat skills. The upgraded F-5E model was well suited to playing the “bad guy” role in the Navy's Top Gun and the Air Force's Red Flag exercises. The F-5, small and maneuverable, had similar characteristics to the Soviet MiG-21 encountered over Vietnam. Aggressor Squadrons flying the F-5 and other Soviet-like aircraft in training have helped American fighter pilots improve their competitive edge.
The Museum's aircraft is Northrop's prototype "Freedom Fighter," the first of three N-156F airframes built. It was unveiled on May 30, 1959 in front of visitors from 40 foreign countries. Two months later, Northrop chief test pilot Lew Nelson flew the prototype supersonic during its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base. It was used for pilot familiarization and demo flights, then used as a testbed for later F-5 versions. It retired from flying in 1964 after 653 flights and 647 flight hours. Following a few years of USAF static display, the USAF donated the aircraft in 1968 to the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation, the predecessor to The Museum of Flight. It was one of the first aircraft to join the Museum's collection.
In the late 1950s, at the height of the Cold War, the Northrop Corporation recognized the need and opportunity for a special kind of export fighter aircraft. Their studies formed the basis for the N-156F, a simple, economical, versatile, and easy to maintain light fighter. In 1963, the aircraft was selected for use with the Military Assistance Program (MAP) countries and designated the F-5A. More than 2,600 F-5 aircraft have been sold or produced in over 30 allied countries. The design shares much in common with the T-38 Talon, the U.S. Air Force's primary advanced trainer for approximately 50 years. Two F-5A airframes were utilized in the design of the experimental Grumman X-29 in the mid-1980s.
Although primarily an export fighter, the F-5 was also used in small numbers by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Based on lessons learned during the Vietnam War, both services were seeking to boost their pilots' air-to-air combat skills. The upgraded F-5E model was well suited to playing the “bad guy” role in the Navy's Top Gun and the Air Force's Red Flag exercises. The F-5, small and maneuverable, had similar characteristics to the Soviet MiG-21 encountered over Vietnam. Aggressor Squadrons flying the F-5 and other Soviet-like aircraft in training have helped American fighter pilots improve their competitive edge.
The Museum's aircraft is Northrop's prototype "Freedom Fighter," the first of three N-156F airframes built. It was unveiled on May 30, 1959 in front of visitors from 40 foreign countries. Two months later, Northrop chief test pilot Lew Nelson flew the prototype supersonic during its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base. It was used for pilot familiarization and demo flights, then used as a testbed for later F-5 versions. It retired from flying in 1964 after 653 flights and 647 flight hours. Following a few years of USAF static display, the USAF donated the aircraft in 1968 to the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation, the predecessor to The Museum of Flight. It was one of the first aircraft to join the Museum's collection.
