Subject: New Fighter Series--Northrop F-5 (9 of 11)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 9 Aug 94 16:57:19 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The F-5F was the two-seat combat trainer version of the F-5E Tiger II.  
Northrop had not originally planned to offer a two-seat
version of the Tiger II, but after initial flight tests it became
clear that the performance of the F-5E was so much greater than 
that of the F-5A that a trainer version of the Tiger II would be
appropriate.

In order to accommodate the second crew member, the fuselage was 
lengthened by 3 feet 6 1/2 inches.  The AN/APQ-159 fire control system 
was retained, which enabled the aircraft to be used for both training 
and combat duties.  However, it was necessary to delete one of the 
20-mm cannon and to reduce the ammunition capacity.  Aside from the 
deletion of the second 20-mm cannon, the F-5F retained the full combat 
capability of the single-seat F-5E.   However, only the front cockpit
was fitted with the lead computing optical sight system.  Provision
was made for the addition of ballast weights underneath the rear
fuselage forward of the jet exhaust to compensate for the weight of
the second seat.  Wing fences were positioned at wing mid-span.

Development of the F-5F was approved by the USAF in early 1974, with 
the first flight (by 73-0889) taking place on September 25, 1974, with 
Northrop test pilot Dick Thomas at the controls.  Two F-5Fs completed 
flight test and qualification in early 1976.  

First deliveries began in the summer of 1976.  

Serials of F-5F Tiger II:

73-0889			Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
73-0891			Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
75-0681/0731		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
75-0735/0744		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
75-0753/0756		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
76-1592/1597		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
76-1611/1615		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
76-1640/1642		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
77-0336/0350		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
77-0359/0365		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
77-1778/1779		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
78-0774/0787		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
78-0802/0803		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
78-0804/0805		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
78-0822/0825		Northrop F-5F Tiger II  
78-0876/0884		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
78-2435/2436		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
78-2444/2446		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
79-1692/1693		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
79-1708/1709		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
79-1916/1919		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
79-1942/1945		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
81-0006/0019		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
81-0594/0613		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
81-0639/0642		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
81-0858/0863		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
82-0004/0005		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
82-0089/0091		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
82-0187/0189		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
82-0640/0643		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
80-0296/0298		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
83-0072/0074		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
83-0113/0142		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
84-0456/0457		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
84-0456/0457		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
85-0053/0056 		Northrop F-5F Tiger II
86-0090/0091		Northrop F-5F Tiger II 
86-0388			Northrop F-5F Tiger II 

Specification of Northrop F-5F Tiger II: 

Two General Electric J85-GE-21A turbojets, 5000 lb.s.t. with 
afterburning.  Maximum speed: Mach 1.55 at 36,000 feet.  Maximum 
cruising speed without afterburning: Mach 0.98 at 36,000 feet.  
Stalling speed 157 mph with flaps extended.  Service ceiling: 50,800 
feet.  Initial climb rate: 32,900 feet per minute at combat weight of 
14,055 pounds.  Takeoff run: 2300 feet at weight of 16,250 pounds.  
Takeoff run: 6000 feet at maximum takeoff weight of 25,225 pounds.  
Landing run from 50 feet without braking parachute was 5000 feet at 
weight of 12,245 pounds.  Landing run with brake chute was 2600 feet 
at 12,245 pounds.  Range with maximum fuel was 1462 miles.  Combat 
radius with maximum fuel, two Sidewinder missiles, and two 530 -pond 
bombs 518 miles.  Total internal fuel capacity of 677 US gallons.  One 
150 or 275 US gallon drop tank could be carried on the fuselage 
centerline pylon and on the inboard underwing pylon.  bringing total 
fuel capacity to 1502 US gallons.  There is provision for inflight 
refuelling by means of a detachable probe.  Dimensions: wingspan 26 
feet 8 inches, length 51 feet 7 inches, height 13 feet 1 3/4 inches, 
wing area 186 square feet.  Weights: 10,567 pounds empty, 14,055 
pounds combat, 15,745 pounds gross, 25,225 pounds maximum takeoff.  
Armed with one 20-mm M39A2 cannon with 140 rounds in the fuselage 
nose.  Two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles could be carried at the wingtips.  
Five pylons, one under the fuselage centerline and four under the 
wings that can carry up to 7000 pounds of ordnance or fuel tanks.  

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

  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

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

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

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