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.