@The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA
May 2013
The final stop of the ISAP XII symposium field trip took us to The Museum of Flight in Seattle. Suspended from the ceiling is the prototype YF-5A Freedom Fighter, wearing a hi-visibility paint scheme. Northrop’s idea for the N-156F project was to come up with a simple, economical, versatile, and easy to maintain light fighter. Northrop’s prototype “Freedom Fighter” was unveiled on May 30, 1959 with a first flight two months later. Powered by two General Electric J85-5 turbojets, the YF-5A went supersonic during its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base. In 1962, the aircraft was selected for use with the Mutual Assistance Pact (MAP) countries and designated the F-5A. The F-5 has been sold or produced in over 30 allied countries and also served in the U.S. Air Force and Navy. More than 3,800 F-5, and the closely related T-38 advanced trainer aircraft, were produced from 1959-1987 with approx 500 still in active duty around the world. Nikon D7000 w/18-200mm.
