- Type: Fighter aircrafts
- Period: from '50
- Country: N.A.T.O.
- SKILL: 2
- Model Dim.: 20,0 cm
- Box Dim.: 290 x 190 x 45 mm
During the 1950s, the American Aircraft Company Northrop began developmental work on a simple and "low-cost" fighter that would meet the needs of several NATO member air forces. The F-5 met the precise specification of being a light single-seat fighter, small in size but extremely maneuverable and effective. It was relatively simple and cheap to produce and was operationally efficient. The initial version produced by Northrop, designated F-5 A “Freedom Fighter”, was fitted with two General Electric J85-GE-13 engines and could attain a maximum speed of 1,700 km/h. Armed with two 20-mm guns installed in the nose, the F-5 was a credible "multi-role" aircraft due to its weapons load capability, which could offer a wide range of offensive options for both air defense and ground attack missions. This multi-role aspect of the aircraft ensured its rapid take-up by many air forces.
