Subject: New Fighter Series--Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter (7 of 11)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 4 Aug 94 16:29:03 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The designation F-5C was assigned to a proposed version of the Freedom 
Fighter for the United States Air Force.  Although twelve F-5As had 
been tested in Vietnam during the *Skoshi Tiger* program under fully 
operational conditions with generally favorable results, the USAF 
perceived no need for a lightweight fighter-bomber, and the F-5C was 
never proceeded with.  

The F-5D was to have been the two-seat version of the F-5C.  It too 
was dropped before anything could be built.  

Some sources list the F-5C as being the designation for the modified 
F-5s that were sent to Vietnam for evaluation in the *Skoshi Tiger* 
program, but I don't know if this designation was official, or just a 
name that was assigned in the hope that the Air Force would order the 
type for its own use.  

Sources:

  The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Centry, Michael J.H.
  Taylor, mallard Press

  The World's Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday, 1964.

  Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston and Mike Spick, Crescent, 1983.

  United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
  Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  Post-World War II Fighters: 1945-1973, Marcelle Size Knaac,
  Office of Air Force History, 1986.

  F-5: Warplane for the World, Robbie Shaw, Motorbooks, 1990

  Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and
  David Donald, Temple Press/Aerospace, 1990

  The World's Great Attack Aircraft, Gallery, 1988.

  Northrop F-5/F-20, Jerry Scutts, Ian Allan Ltd, 1986.

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