NORTHROP RF-5A FREEDOM FIGHTER, Norway

[Til_Dovre_Faller 191]

NORTHROP RF-5A FREEDOM FIGHTER

In this pictrue we see the plane marked 105/AZ-M/105 

One-Seated photo-reconnaissance fighter 16 planes

 

ARMAMENT

4x KS-92 cameras

2x 20mm M-39 cannons

 

TECHNICAL DATA

Wingspan: 7.7m

Lenght: 14.0m

Eigne: 2x General Electric J85-GE/13

Top speed: 1.488 km/h

Range: 2.000 km 

 

Here are some extra modifications i know about

• Increased plate thicknesses in the wings
• De-icing possibilities on the front part of the cockpit glass
• Arresting hook/tailhook

 

 

USAF No          336 squadron (N)          717 squadron (N)          In the squadron's service          Fate

68-9100                    100                               AZ-E/100                    08.04.1969 - 22.12.1983             Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-100

68-9101                    101                               AZ-I/101                     19.05.1969 - 10.03.1982              Private owner in Grimstad, Norway

68-9102                    102                               AZ-J/102                    09.06.1969 - 16.07.1982              Norwegian Aviation Museum, Bodø

68-9103                    103                               AZ-K/103                    21.07.1969 - 03.08.1982              Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-103

68-9104                                                         AZ-L/104                    15.07.1969 - 11.08.1977              Total loss/wrecked at Arendal, Norway

68-9105                    105                               AZ-M/105                   16.08.1969 - 16.11.1982               The flight collection gardermoen

68-9106                    106                               AZ-N/106                    16.08.1969 - 12.02.1982              Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-106

68-9107                    107                               AZ-O/107                    19.09.1969 - 15.02.1982              Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-107

68-9108                    108                               AZ-P/108                    19.09.1969 - 07.02.1984              To USA, traded for DHC-3Otter

68-9109                                                         AZ-A/109                    17.10.1969 - 15.03.1974              Total loss/wrecked in Nissedal, Norway

68-9110                    110                                AZ-B/110                    17.10.1969 - 17.11.1982              Transferred to Raufoss ammunition factory

68-9111                                                          AZ-C                           19.11.1969 - 07.05.1971              Total wreck at Minnesund, Norway

68-9112                                                          AZ-D/112                    19.11.1969 - 15.03.1974              Total breakdown in Nissedal, Norway

68-9113                    113                                AZ-F/113                     20.12.1969 - 01.01.1984              Ørland air station, chopped up

68-10489                  489                                AZ-G/489                    20.12.1969 - 07.12.1984              Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-489

68-10490                  490                                AZ-H/490                    19.01.1970 - 15.02.1982              Sold to USA, transferred to Turkey 8-490

 

 

 

HISTORY

  The Northrop F-5, or the freedom fighter as it is and was called, was developed by the Northrop group, first at its own expense and risk in the mid-50s, then as a two-seat training aircraft for the USAF and from 1958 as a single-seat fighter with two engines and afterburners. The idea was that the aircraft was to be included as part of the US military aid programme. This one-seater eventually received the designation F-5A. The actual prototype for the F-5A flew for the first time on 31 July 1963. At this time, Norway considered several alternatives, where the F-5A was one of three possible. In early 1964, the choice fell on the F-5, subject to certain changes to the aircraft, primarily increased plate thicknesses in the wings and de-icing possibilities on the front part of the cockpit glass

 

  The RF-5A was a photo-reconnaissance version of the F-5A "freedom fighter" and had camera equipment mounted in the nose section. Norway bought a total of 16 such aircraft to replace previous aircraft. All were attached to 171 squadron at Rygge airfield, and the first arrived on 8 April 1969. It carried American markings during delivery, but was quickly given Norwegian colors and marked AZ-E. Four of the planes were lost in accidents that also claimed lives. The rest was transferred to 336 squadron as a separate photo reconnaissance wing when 171 squadron was disbanded on 15 August 1979. Economic reasons and austerity were contributing factors here. Operations continued at 336 squadron until October 1983, although many of the aircraft were taken out of service already in August of the previous year. The machines were stored at Sola airport after they were phased out. Two were transferred to A/S Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker in 1985 as target objects in connection with testing of the 40mm l/70 multipurpose grenade. The cockpit sections were then sold privately

 

  One aircraft was used as an exchange object by the Norwegian Defense Museum to get a DHC-3 Otter for exhibition in Norway. Toandre is today on display at the defense museum in Bodø and at the Defense Aircraft Collection in Gardermoen. The rest of the aircraft, with one exception, were sold to the USAF in late 1987 and delivered to Turkey soon after

 

 

 

19.30 minutes of the F-5 freedom fighter flying in Norway, should be both models, both the photo-reconnaissance fighter and the fighter

This is an intro scene, it shows the Norwegian F-5 freedom fighters low level flying, i think this is both models

 

 

 

 

 

PICTRUES (different skins/paint)

Spoiler

https://ibb.co/album/RNGSC2 (pictrues)

SOURCES

Spoiler

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1660092860961099

https://www.norli.no/boker/dokumentar-og-fakta/historie-og-dokumentar/krig-og-historie/luftforsvarets-historie-fortalt-gjennom-75-gjenstander?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5NSdBhDfARIsALzs2EDV6Y_euG_JuZlrm6asiNMJjluhkHc5XqRe_v7A3-mLAwYViE-J6YMaAlflEALw_wcB

https://www.adlibris.com/no/bok/norske-militarfly-9788271286873?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5NSdBhDfARIsALzs2EAky3qF1_Y76m1xIoaPHmcxyFvsCjH8Q97Bwy4gFZao91Mu81GvemMaAvy8EALw_wcB

 

 

 

Til_Dovre_faller

Edited January 7, 2023 by Til_Dovre_Faller
Tailhook

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[DMYEugen 688]

+1 But only on the condition that the US gets theirs.

[Til_Dovre_Faller 191]

6 hours ago, DMYEugen said:

+1 But only on the condition that the US gets theirs.

Yes :-)

[Milocat 4,857]

It'll get a +1 from me (for the Swedish/Scandinavian tree) but I'm not sure how useful it'll be with two guns and nothing else.