Designation: F-5B

Northrop F-5B

Northrop F-5B Freedom Fighter

A picture of the F-5B Freedom Fighter

The F-5 was developed in conjunction with the T-38 Talon trainer as a private venture of the Northrop company.  The U.S. Government selected it in 1962 for production as an export fighter for countries participating in the Military Assistance Program.  The F-5 was built in two main versions; the F-5A was a single seat fighter while the F-5B was a two-seat trainer that was also capable of combat operations.  The F-5 first flew in 1959 and was used by the U.S. Air Force to train foreign pilots starting in 1964.  A total of 18 countries flew the F-5 and they were also license built in Canada and Spain. 

Service History:

Built by Northrop Aircraft, Palmdale, California and delivered to the U.S. Air Force on November 10, 1972.

November 1972          To 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, Williams AFB, Arizona.

August 1979                To 405th Tactical Training Wing, Williams AFB, Arizona.

May 1984                    Designated as a ground training airframe (GF-5B.)

July 1984                    To the Inter-American Air Force Academy, Albrook AFB, Panama.

October 1989              To Homestead AFB, Florida.

May 2001                    Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Wingspan 25 ft 3 in.

Wingspan

Length 46 ft 4 in.

Length

Height 13 ft 1 in.

Height

Weight 20,677 lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 885 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 52,000 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 3,660 miles

Range

Engines Two General Electric J85-GE-13 turbojets with 4,080 pounds of thrust

Engines

Crew 2

Crew


Manufacturer
Northrop

Markings
58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, Williams AFB, Arizona, 1972

Designation
F-5B

Serial Number
72-0441

Pima Air & Space Museum

Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.

Charity EIN: 86-6031135

Copyright ©
Website by CS Design Studios

Contact Info

520-574-0462

6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

Operating Hours:
Open 9 AM – 5 PM Daily
Last Admittance at 3:00 PM