CF-5/CF-116/NF-5 Freedom Fighter
Canadian Forces CF-5A Freedom Fighter on display on a stand at Trenton, Ontario
Role	Fighter-bomber
Manufacturer	Canadair
First flight	6 May 1968
Introduction	5 November 1968
Status	Retired from Canadian service in 1995, still in service with some countries
Primary users	Canadian Forces (former) Royal Netherlands Air Force Venezuelan Air Force Turkish Air Force
Number built	240
Developed from	Northrop F-5

The Canadair CF-5 (officially designated the CF-116 Freedom Fighter) is a Canadian licensed-built Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, a light, supersonic, twin engine, daylight air superiority fighter primarily for the Canadian Forces (as the CF-5) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (as the NF-5). The CF-5 was upgraded periodically throughout its service career in Canada. The Canadian Forces retired the aircraft in 1995, although the CF-5 continues to be used by other countries.

The CF-5 was ordered by the Royal Canadian Air Force, which became part of the Canadian Forces on 1 February 1968. The new unified force took delivery of the first CF-5s (it was almost universally referred to as the CF-5 except in official documentation^[1]) at the end of 1968. Production by Canadair for the Canadian Forces was 89 single-seat aircraft, 46 dual-seat aircraft and 75 single-seat with 30 dual-seat aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a total production of 240. Twenty surplus Canadian aircraft were sold to Venezuela.^[2][3][4]

Design and development

CF-5A at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Originally designed by Northrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, the F-5 was intended for use by air forces that had limited resources and technical expertise to maintain a sophisticated aircraft. For Canada, which had an extensive aerospace industry, selection of the F-5 was seen as a step backwards. Selected originally to provide a tactical support role based in Canada, CF-5 squadrons were also committed to NATO's northern flank to act as a rapid-deployment force. However, the role for the CF-5 throughout its service with the RCAF was changed frequently and eventually, the diminutive fighter would serve as a light attack strike fighter, reconnaissance platform and trainer.^[3]

Compared to the Northrop F-5, the Canadian CF-5 had several modifications to make it more suitable for operating in Canadian Forces theaters of operations. In order to address complaints about long takeoff runs, the Canadair version featured a two-position nose landing gear; compressed it operated like the original, but extended (before takeoff) it raised the nose and thereby increased the angle of attack and increased lift. The system reduced takeoff distance by almost 20%. A midair refueling probe was installed, Orenda-built General Electric J85-15 engines with 4,300 lbf (19 kN) thrust were used, and a more sophisticated navigation system was added. The nose of the CF-5 was also interchangeable with a specially designed reconnaissance set with four cameras in it. Over the course of its life, it received many upgrades to its avionics and capabilities.

An order for 105 aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force was signed in early 1967, 75 single-seaters to replace the Republic F-84 and 30 twin-seaters to replace the Lockheed T-33. The plan to use some single-seaters for photo-reconnaissance to replace the Lockheed F-104G Starfighters never materialized. Production of the F-5 in Europe was originally planned by Fokker and SABCA, for the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces, but hesitancy by Belgium led to the Netherlands government ordering under a production sharing agreement with Canada.^[5] As part of the production sharing agreement between the Canadian and Dutch governments the centre fuselages for all but the first 31 aircraft were built by Fokker in the Netherlands.^[6]

The first CF-5 was formally rolled out in a ceremony at the Cartierville factory on 6 February 1968.^[7] The first NF-5 was rolled out on 5 March 1969.^[8]

Operational history

Canada

CF-5 badge worn by Canadian Forces aircrew and ground crew in the mid-1970s

Initially 433 Squadron and 434 Squadron were the only two squadrons to operate the CF-5. It was intended that three squadrons would fly the aircraft, but due to budgetary restrictions, the excess aircraft were put into storage in CFB North Bay and CFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 Squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at short notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved to CFB Bagotville with 433 Squadron, for a short time, and then on to CFB Chatham.^[3]

The training role was adopted by 419 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake; it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training (painted in Soviet style "aggressor" schemes similar to USAF, USN and USMC F-5Es), and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet until retired in 1995. All remaining airframes were put into storage at CFD Mountain View.

While originally intended to be deployed to Europe, due to budgetary limitations the CF-5 became a rapid deployment reinforcement, to be deployed to central Europe or later Norway in time of war. CF-5s did deploy to Europe for several reasons many times during the Cold War: in 1970 six CF-5As deployed to CFB Baden–Soellingen in Germany, later flying to Norway in early 1971; in 1973 eight CF-5A and CF-5R flew to Norway; in 1974 four CF-5A and CF-5Rs participated in a NATO reconnaissance exercise at Leck, Germany; two Canadair CF-5R visited Leeuwarden, Netherlands in 1974; sixteen CF-5As flew to Europe in 1977; in 1978 eight CF-5As deployed to Norway to participate to NATO's Arctic Express exercise; in 1980 eight CF-5As participated in the Anorak Express exercise in Norway; in 1985 and 1986 CF-5As deployed to NATO exercises (Brave Lion) in Norway, and finally, the last deployment to Europe was in 1987 when four CF-5As arrived at CFB Baden–Soellingen; in June, 1988 the CF-5A was replaced in the rapid deployment force by the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet.^[9] Additionally, CF-5R photo reconnaissance aircraft participated in Best Focus exercises in Europe during 1978, 1980 and 1985, with a Canadian pilot winning the NATO "Photo Derby" in 1985.^[9]

Variants

• CF-5A : Single-seat fighter version for the Canadian Forces, designation CF-116A. 89 built. 13 sold to Botswana and 16 sold to Venezuela.
• CF-5A(R) : Single-seat reconnaissance version for the Canadian Forces. 50 interchangeable camera noses built to swap the CF-5A's twin 20mm cannon nose with a quad 70mm Vinten camera nose. Canadian Forces provisional designation CF-116A(R).^[3]
• CF-5D : Two-seat training version for the Canadian Forces, CF-116D. 46 built. 5 sold to Botswana and 4 sold to Venezuela.
• NF-5A : Single-seat fighter version for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. 75 built. 1 sold to Venezuela and 10 donated to Greece.
• NF-5B : Two-seat training version for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. 30 built. 6 sold to Venezuela and 2 donated to Greece.
• VF-5A : Single-seat fighter version sold to Venezuelan Air Force.
• VF-5D : Two-seat training version sold to Venezuelan Air Force.

Operators

CF-5 of the Botswana Defence Force

Canadian Air Force CF-116 Freedom Fighter, displayed at CFB Borden

Greek CF-5B Freedom Fighter

NF-5A of the Turkish Air Force.

Venezuela Air Force Northrop (Canadair) VF-5A (CL-226)

 Botswana

• Botswana Air Force^[3]
  • Total of 18 ex-Canadian fighters delivered in 1996 and 2000; (13 CF-5A and 5 CF-5D). All assigned at Z28 Squadron and stationed Maparangwane Air Base.^[11] 11 CF-5A and 4 CF-5D were still in use as of 2021.^[12]

 Turkey

• Turkish Air Force
  • 19 NF-5A/B 2000 Freedom Fighters were in service as of 2021, used as trainers and flying with 133rd Aerobatic Squadron Turkish Stars.^[13]

 United States

• Tactical Air Support, Inc.
  • In 2013, the company added four Canadair CF-5D Freedom Fighters and 20 years' worth of spare F-5 parts to its fleet.^[14]

 Venezuela

• Venezuelan Air Force^[3]
  • Air Group 12 - 6 CF-5A in use as of 2021.^[15]

Aircraft on display

CF-5A on display at the Cold Lake Air Force Museum

NF-5A on display at the Nationaal Militair Museum

• Air Force Heritage Museum and Air Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba^[18]
• Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum^[19]
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario^[20]
• Canadian War Museum Ottawa, Ontario – reconnaissance version^[21]
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario^[22]
• Cold Lake Air Force Museum^[23]
• CFB Cold Lake - CF-5A '116736' mounted on a pole near the base entrance.^[24]
• Defence Research and Development Canada – Toronto (DRDC) (mounted on Sheppard Avenue West), Toronto, Ontario^[25]
• Kamloops Airport^[26]
• Memorial Military Museum in Campbellford, Ontario (s/n 116730).^[27][28]
• National Air Force Museum of Canada, Trenton, Ontario^[29]
• Reynolds-Alberta Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta^[30]
• The Military Museums Calgary, Alberta^[31]
• Toronto/Markham Airport 2 located at Markham, Ontario^[32]

Specifications (CF-116)

Orthographically projected diagram of an F-5 Freedom Fighter

General characteristics

• Crew: one–two
• Length: 47 ft 2 in (14.38 m)
• Wingspan: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
• Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
• Wing area: 186 sq ft (17.28 m²)
• Empty weight: 8,681 lb (3,938 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 20,390 lb (9,249 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Orenda-built GE J85-15 turbojet, 2,925 lbf (13.01 kN) thrust each dry, 4,300 lbf (19 kN) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 978 mph (1,575 km/h, 850 kn) ^[38]
• Maximum speed: Mach 1.3
• Range: 875 mi (1,400 km, 760 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 34,400 ft/min (175 m/s)

Armament

• Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) Pontiac M39A2 cannons in the nose, 280 rounds/gun
• Hardpoints: 5 with a capacity of 7,000 lb (3,200 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 2× CRV7 rocket pods
    or 2× LAU-10 rocket pods with 4× Zuni 127 mm rockets each
    or 2× Matra rocket pods with 18× 68 mm SNEB rockets each
  • Bombs: a variety of air-to-ground ordnance, such as the Mark 80 series of unguided iron bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs), U.S. CBU-24/49/52/58 and British BL755 cluster bomb munitions, M129 Leaflet bomb
  • Other: drop tanks for extended range
• Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

See also

Related development

• Northrop F-5

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Dassault Étendard
• Fiat G.91
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Related lists

• List of aircraft of Canada's air forces
• List of fighter aircraft

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter.

• CF-5 (CF-116) Freedom Fighter – Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum