Developed mainly as supersonic aircraft, the F-5 Freedom Fighter or better known as Tiger II, took on many roles in the post Korean conflict. Northrop designed it as a private venture with no Government intervention. The aircraft started as a trainer and it's first flight was in April of 1959. It's two afterburning J85-GE-5a provided 3,850 lb of raw thrust, plenty for a trainer. Later, Northrop delivered 1,139 aircraft of this type to the U.S. Airforce and modified into a Tactical Strike Fighter Production total numbered in 818 F-5A and 290 F-5B two seater. Canada and the Netherlands also buy and build their own copies with grants. The reconnaissance version, the RF-5A had four cameras mounted in it's nose. The mantle of the Freedom Fighter was then assumed by the more capable Tiger II variant produced in F-5E single seat and F-5F two seat forms with intergrated control systems and more powerfull engines. Production of the F-5 dwindled and ended in the Mid-1980s over the Super-fighters. However, in their ending sequence they were able to produce a handfull of RF-5E TigerEye reconnaissence aircraft.
