F-5 Tiger II

Northrop · United States · first flew 1972 · fighter

The F-5 Tiger II is a small, agile twin-engine supersonic light fighter widely exported as an affordable and reliable combat aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	14.45 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Small sharp-nosed lightweight fighter
Wing leading-edge root extensions
Twin tailpipes close together

Identify it by its very compact size, sharply pointed nose and small swept wings with prominent leading-edge root extensions. The two closely spaced jet pipes and slim fuselage give it a neat, purposeful look.

Specifications

The F-5 Tiger II has a length of 14.45 m (47 ft).
It has a wingspan of 8.13 m (27 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1700 km/h (1056 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed by Northrop from the earlier F-5A Freedom Fighter, the Tiger II first flew in 1972 with more powerful engines and improved aerodynamics. It was designed primarily for export to allied air forces under US military assistance programmes. Thousands were built and the type remains in service in modernised form today.

Variants

The single-seat F-5E and two-seat F-5F formed the core of the Tiger II family, alongside the RF-5E Tigereye reconnaissance variant. The F-20 Tigershark was a more advanced derivative that never entered production. Numerous countries have since fitted modern radars and avionics.

Where you'll see it

Though never a frontline RAF type, the F-5 is a regular performer at UK airshows such as RIAT Fairford with the Swiss and other display teams. Its aggressor role mirrors the adversary training the RAF undertakes, and surplus airframes appear in private collections. Several have been preserved in European museums.

Related aircraft

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