The F-5 Part 1: Freedom Fighter

The Northrop F5 Freedom Fighter is a small, highly aerodynamic  and maneuverable jet  which was built around two compact and high thrust General Electric J85 engines.  The F-5 was designed from the ground up to be an easy to maintain, simple to fly, inexpensive multirole fighter.  With its origins dating back to the 1950s the F-5 has stood the test of time, it has become a popular export aircraft  and is still used today by the United states as an adversary or aggressor aircraft. Today we will be taking a look at the first two variants, the F-5A and B, also known as the Freedom Fighter.  Here are some specifications for the F-5A
Length 47.2 ft (14.37 m)
Height 13.2 ft  (4.01 m)
Wingspan 25.8 ft (7.87 m)
Maximum Speed: 925 mph (Mach 1.4)
Empty weight: 8,805 lbs (3,667 kg)
Max T/O weight: 20,677 lb (9,379 kg)
Engine Thrust Class Each:  2,270 lbf (12.1kN) thrust dry, 4,080 lbf (18.1kN) with afterburner
Armament: The F-5A has two internally mounted 20mm cannons in the fuselage nose and can carry two heat seeking sidewinder missiles on the wingtips. Additionally, the F-5 has five pylons which can be used to carry up to 6200 pounds of ordinance or fuel tanks.

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