Canadair CF-5

CF-5/CF-116/NF-5 Freedom Fighter
Canadian Forces CF-5A Freedom Fighter
Role Fighter-bomber
First flight 6 May 1968
Introduction 5 November 1968
Status Retired from Canadian service in 1995, still in service with some countries
Primary users Canadian Forces
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Venezuelan Air Force
Number built 240
Developed from Northrop F-5

The Canadair CF-5 (officially designated the CF-116 Freedom Fighter) is the Canadair licensed-built version of the American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter aircraft primarily for the Canadian Forces (as the CF-5) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (as the NF-5). The CF-5 was upgraded periodically throughout its service career in Canada. The Canadian Forces retired the type in 1995, although CF-5s continue to be used by other countries.

The CF-5 was ordered by the Royal Canadian Air Force, which became part of the Canadian Forces on 1 February 1968. The new unified force took delivery of the first CF-5s (it was almost universally referred to as the CF-5 except in official documentation[1]) at the end of 1968. Production by Canadair for the Canadian Forces was 89 single-seat aircraft, 46 dual-seat aircraft and 75 single-seat with 30 dual-seat aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a total production of 240. Some surplus Canadian aircraft were sold to Venezuela.[2][3]

Design and development

Originally designed by Northrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, the F-5 was intended for use by air forces that had limited resources and technical expertise to maintain a sophisticated aircraft. For Canada, which had an extensive aerospace industry, selection of the F-5 was seen as a step backwards. Selected originally to provide a tactical support role based in Canada, CF-5 squadrons were also committed to NATO's northern flank to act as a rapid-deployment force. However, the role for the CF-5 throughout its service with the RCAF was changed frequently and eventually, the diminutive fighter would serve as a light attack strike fighter, reconnaissance platform and trainer.[2]

Compared to the Northrop F-5, the Canadian CF-5 had several modifications to make it more suitable for operating in Canadian Forces theaters of operations. In order to address complaints about long takeoff runs, the Canadair version featured a two-position nose landing gear; compressed it operated like the original, but extended (before takeoff) it raised the nose and thereby increased the angle of attack and increased lift. The system reduced takeoff distance by almost 20%. A midair refueling probe was installed, Orenda built General Electric J85-15 engines with 4,300 lbf (19 kN) thrust were used, and a more sophisticated navigation system was added. The nose of the CF-5 was also interchangeable with a specially designed reconnaissance set with four cameras in it. Over the course of its life, it received many upgrades to its avionics and capabilities.

An order for 105 aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force was signed in early 1967, 75 single-seaters to replace the Republic F-84 and 30 twin-seaters to replace the Lockheed T-33. Some single-seaters would be used for photo-reconnaissance to replace the Lockheed F-104G Starfighters in that role. Intended production of F-5 in Europe by Fokker and SABCA for both the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces was originally planned, but hesitancy by Belgium led to the Netherlands government ordering under a production sharing agreement with Canada.[4] As part of the production sharing agreement between the Canadian and Dutch governments the centre fuselages for all but the first 31 aircraft were built by Fokker in the Netherlands.[5]

The first CF-5 was formally rolled out in a ceremony at the Cartierville factory on 6 February 1968.[6] The first NF-5 was rolled out on 5 March 1969.[7]

Operational history

Canada

CF-5 badge worn by Canadian Forces aircrew and ground crew in the mid-1970s

Initially 433 Squadron and 434 Squadron were the only two squadrons to operate the CF-5. It was intended that three squadrons would fly the aircraft, but due to budgetary restrictions, the excess aircraft were put into storage in CFB North Bay and CFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at short notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved to CFB Bagotville with 433 squadron, for a short time, and then on to CFB Chatham.[2]

The training role was adopted by 419 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake; it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training (wearing quasi-Soviet "aggressor" paint schemes similar to USAF, USN and USMC F-5Es), and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet until the aircraft was retired in 1995. All remaining airframes were put into storage at CFD Mountain View.

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Air Force took delivery of its first aircraft (an NF-5B two-seater) in October 1969, with the first squadron to be formed being 313 Squadron at Twente. The initial role of 313 Squadron was a conversion unit to train pilots on the new type. The NF-5 would serve with four operation squadrons, 313 and 315 Squadron at Twenthe, 316 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen and 314 Squadron at Eindhoven. The last NF-5 was delivered in March 1972.

From 1986 the squadrons began to convert to the licence-built General Dynamics F-16 and the last NF-5 was stood down in March 1991.

Most surplus aircraft were sold to Turkey and Venezuela or retained for spares support, a number of aircraft were given free to Greece.

Variants

Operators

Canadian Air Force CF-116 Freedom Fighter, displayed at CFB Borden
Greek CF-5B Freedom Fighter
NF-5B of the Turkish Air Force.
Venezuela Air Force Northrop (Canadair) VF-5A (CL-226)
Botswana
Canada
Greece
Netherlands
Tactical Air Support, Inc.
Turkey
Venezuela

Aircraft on display

CF-5A on display at the Cold Lake Air Force Museum

Specifications (CF-116)

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Canadian Armed Forces (5 March 2010). "Historical Aircraft". Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Aeroware (2012). "Canadair CF-116 CF-5". canadianwings.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Canadian Armed Forces (6 April 2004). "Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter". Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Canadian F-5s for RNAF". Flight International. 91 (3022): 223. 9 February 1967.
  5. ↑ "Canadair's CF-5 Production". Flight International. 94 (3113): 759. 7 November 1968.
  6. ↑ "Defence". Flight International. 93 (3076): 280. 22 February 1968.
  7. ↑ "Photo caption". Flight International. Iliffe. 95 (3133): 459. 20 March 1969.
  8. ↑ "Botswana Defence Force". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  9. ↑ Ottawa, The (22 April 2006). "Forces to scrap jet parts worth $200M". Canada.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  10. ↑ Gallop, Gerry (5 March 2013). "Launch of F-5 Parts Sales Enterprise". http://www.tacticalairsupport.com/. Tactical Air Support Inc. Retrieved 22 September 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  11. ↑ Hv. K. K. Mebs (19 May 2011). "About the NF-5 Aircraft – Türk Yıldızları". Turkyildizlari.tsk.tr. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  12. ↑ Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum. "Canadair (Northrop) CF-5 Freedom Fighter". Atlanticcanadaaviationmuseum.com. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  13. ↑ Kenter, Peter (2012). "Steel key for CF-5 fighter jet monument at Toronto defence facility". Daily Commercial News. Reed Business Information.
  14. ↑ Canada Aviation and Space Museum (n.d.). "Canadair CF-116 (CF-5A)". Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  15. ↑ Canadian War Museum, Where People and History Come To Life, dated 2003-4, retrieved 10 August 2013
  16. ↑ Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. "Northrop CF-5A Freedom Fighter Vintage Fighter Aircraft". Warplane.com. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Cold Lake Museum - F5". Retrieved 21 Feb 2017.
  18. ↑ Boyko, Steve. "On laughter-silvered wings." Flickr, 12 November 2012.
  19. ↑ "Aircraft – National Air Force Museum of Canada". Airforcemuseum.ca. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  20. ↑ Henniger. "Feature: Canadian Air, Land and Sea Museum." .webshots.com, August 2005. Retrieved: 27 January 2010.
  21. ↑ "Canadair (Northrop) CF-5 Freedom Fighter." ednet.ns.ca. Retrieved: 23 July 2011.

Bibliography

  • McIntyre, Bob. Canadair CF-5 (Canadian Profile: Aircraft No. 4). Ottawa, Ontario: Sabre Model Supplies Ltd., 1985. ISBN 0-920375-02-2.
  • Pickler, Ron and Larry Milberry. Canadair: the First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
  • Stachiw, Anthony L. Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter (Canadian Service Aircraft No.1). St. Catharine's, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-55125-073-X.
  • Van Gent, C.J. De Northrop NF-5: De geschiedenis van de NF-5 in Nederland. Alkmaar, Netherlands: Uitgeverij De Alk, 1992. ISBN 90-6013-518-0.
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