The RNLAF Northrop NF-5A Freedom Fighter
This article is part of a series:
- My first post, the RNLAF (KLU) F-104G Starfighter
- Here’s another one. The F84G Thunderjet.
- A 3rd RNLAF fighter I want to show you.
- The RNLAF Northrop NF-5A Freedom Fighter
- The North American F-86K(aasjager) of the RNLAF (1956-1964)
- RNLAF Spitfire Mk. IX 1/48
- RNLAF Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB
- The Fokker D.XXI of LVA
- The RNLAF F-86F Thunderstreak
- F-16A MLU RNLAF 322nd Squadron "Polly Grey" 60th anniversary 2003
- Brewster B-339 of ML-KNIL Ve Vliegtuiggroep 2e Afdeling (Tamiya 61094 1/48)
Actually this is my first finished scale kit in a row, representing Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) fighters and trainers from 1946 until present. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am currently working on the 10th plane (the F-84F Thunderstreak), and 3 more in the stash.
A bit of history, in 1966, the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, or KLu) selected the F-5 Freedom Fighter to replace its fleet of aging F-84F Thunderstreaks. The KLu was not exactly overjoyed about the choice of the F-5, and wanted several improvements to the basic design. It turned out that these improvements very closely matched those that were implemented by Canada in its CF-5. Consequently, on February 1, 1967, the Dutch government decided to acquire its F-5s from the Canadair production line.
The aircraft were used during their Dutch career mainly in the fighter-bomber role (apart from training), flying low-level missions against troops and ground installations. The Vliehors range, on the island Vlieland, was utilised for weapons training.
The last official NF-5 flight was on 15-03-91 but due to bad weather three aircrafts, instead of 12 foreseen, flew out of Eindhoven to overfly all former NF-5 bases.
All NF-5 were officially withdrawn from operational service on 01-05-91 when 316 Squadron officially transitioned on the General Dynamics F-16, but some flights were still undertaken from Eindhoven for test purposes and conversion of Greek and Turkish pilots with former 316 Squadron aircraft.
Lovely build Alfred. I like the subtle shift in the grey colours 😊
Many thanks, Guy.
Superb result of this important plane, Alfred! A number of NF-5s ended in Greece, where we put them to good operational use!
Thanks, Spiros. I reckon they have been decommissioned some time ago?
Yes they were decommissioned in 2001.
Well done! Beautiful build
Much appreciated, David.
Excellent build! The F-5 looks good in that scheme.
Thanks, Greg.
An absolute great result, Alfred @alfred
The F-5 (or NF-5) has always been one of my favorite jet aircraft.
Your build clearly show the elegant lines of this aircraft, and the camouflage turned out really well.
Thanks, John.
Thanks for your kind words, @johnb
Great looking build!
Thanks so much, Robert.
Well done, Alfred (@alfred). The paint and finish is very well done.
Thank you, George.
Nice work on this and a very good result. I like the paintwork.
A little-known fact about the T-38/F-5 series is that they were the last designs by Edgar Schmued, designer of he P-51, F-86 and F-100. (At least it was little-known to me until I was doing some research for one of my books)
Thanks Tom. Didn’t know that about the design. BTW, there’s a RNLAF F-86K coming shortly.
Well done, Alfred. The F-5 looks good in that F-16 style camo.
Thanks, John. Yes, it is the latest scheme just before the transition to the F-16. Maybe to smoothen the fighter change? 🙂
Great looking finish! Had my eyes on this kit for a while. Did you run into any issues with the build?
Thanks, Jay.
No issues whatsoever, I can recommend the kit. Straight OOB build.
Good to hear! I'll pick one up then and try to do it justice the way you did.
👍
Fantastic work Alfred, and another nice part of the Dutch airforce history. I can remember them well.
Thanks Ferry. Yes, it is an elegant fighter.
Great job on your F-5, Alfred...looks awesome!
Thanks, Joe.
Nice looking F-5.
Much appreciated, George!
Great build I loved this kit when I built it about six years ago. It's still a favourite.
Back in the 80's, Dutch F-5's were a constant at UK airshows, clearly recall the two-seaters would arrive with the rear 'pit full of beers (which were often shared for free), and would leave with all sorts of 'souvenirs' from the other exhibitors, especially the Americans. Great days.
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Hi Ian, thanks for the nice anecdote. Is that an F-5 in Vietnam Airforce livery? Looks awesome.
Really nice work on this one - such a cool looking plane, nice shading and weathering on it. Adds a lot of character.
Thanks for your kind words @anthonyricco