The F-5E Tiger is a legendary fighter, having trained some of the most prolific pilots in modern memory. Recently added to the lineup for the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation was another stalwart from the pantheon of high-powered aircraft. This is an honor pointed at the legacy and significant programs of air combat training flown by this type of aircraft.
The Heritage Flight is a signature program of the nonprofit Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, showcasing a mixed bag of historical airframes from conflicts including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Specifically, the induction of the F-5E Tiger into this program makes much sense, considering this aircraft has enormous historical value but currently sees very limited service with the U.S. Air Force, yet is still significantly exported and in service around the world..
The F-5’s journey began in the post-World War II era, answering NATO’s call for a lightweight tactical fighter. This Northrop Grumman design, together with the General Electric J85 turbojet engine, proved to be one for the ages, its thrust-to-weight ratio is unparalleled in its class. Apart from the cost-effective solution offered by this design, it was versatile: Mach 1.63, 35,000 feet per minute climb, and two 20mm M39A2 Revolver cannons.
Although an air superiority fighter designed to fly in daylight, it also showed quite impressive ground-attack capabilities that further proved its worth as a multirole plane. The model F-5A first entered service in the early 1960s, with more than 800 units built for American allies by the mid-1970s.
The second generation, the F-5EII Tiger II, continued this evolution against the formidable threat posed by the USSR during the Cold War years. Major changes to this new variant included new engines, enlarged wing area, increased capacity fuel tanks, and much-improved avionics. The F-5E Tiger II was used manifold in combat in the Vietnam War and over 1,400 were built until production ended in the late 1980s.
The F-5 was very marketable for international export due to its low price and lower maintenance cost, generally. It has enjoyed a considerable following within most modern fighter fleets and played a pivotal role in training as well as combat scenarios. Its inclusion in the Heritage Flight program places a premium on the substantial contribution of this aircraft to military aviation history.