Interesting:
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. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for a day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies. Though the United States Air Force (USAF) had no need for a light fighter, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.
fter winning the International Fighter Aircraft Competition, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, in 1970, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, higher fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for better turn rates, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics including air-to-air radar. Primarily used by American allies, it remains in US service to support training exercises. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_F-5
Thank you for the info on the F-5, I did not know most of that before. I did know that the T-38 was based on the F-5 as we had both at McClellan. The F-5 and T-38 looked like darts hurtling through the sky. As I said, we were a major supply and logistics base, Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) we did major upgrades on F-4’s, F-11’s I think F & E but don’t remember. We also got the A-10 Warthog towards the end of my enlistment in Dec 76.
Because of our proximity to Travis AFB, 40 mi. away, We had many C-141 and C-5 aircraft doing touch and go’s on a regular basis, only once did I see an SR-71 from Beale AFB do a touch and go. It got so that we didn’t even look after awhile because we could tell which aircraft by it’s sound on takeoff or landing.
Even though the Vietnam War was still on the AF put me at McClellan after tech school in Apr 73 and then promptly forgot about me until my enlistment was up in Dec 76.
Thank you for the article and the info. It brought back good memories of when I was still young, dumb, and full ...