F-5A Freedom Fighter

Type Fighter aircrafts

Period from '50

Country N.A.T.O.

SKILL 2

Model Dim. 20,0 cm

Box Dim. 290 x 190 x 45 mm

Description

During the 1950s, the American Aircraft Company Northrop began developmental work into a simple and ?low cost? fighter that would meet the needs of several NATO member air forces. The F-5 met the precise specification, it being a light single-seat fighter, small in size but extremely manoeuvrable and effective. It was relatively simple and cheap to produce and was operationally efficient. The initial version produced by Northrop, designated F-5 A ?Freedom Fighter?, was fitted with two General Electric J85-GE-13 engines and could attain a maximum speed of 1,700 Km / h. Armed with two 20 mm. guns installed in the nose, the F-5 was a credible "multi-role" aircraft due to its weapons load capability, which could offer a wide range of offensive options for both air defence and ground attack missions. This multi-role aspect of the aircraft ensured its rapid take-up by many Air Forces.