Northrop RF-5 Tigereye (N995SC)

Great Shot!

Excellent shot! 5*

I worked of these F-5's back at Willie in 74. Along with the T-38's and T-37's. They were a lot of work then can only imagine now....

OUTSTANDING!

Always one of my favourite looking aircraft! Beautiful picture.

I was in Class 63-B at Willie Aug'61-Sep'62. During our T-33 basic phase our IP's were checking out in the T-38. I thought the F-5 was essentially a single engine T-38.

Ditto my comments on the T-38!

Mr. Aaronson, the F-5 was derived from the T-38 as a low cost fighter for less wealthy allies. Like the T-38, it was also a twin turbo jet aircraft. The lineage evolved into the YF-17 which lost out to the YF-16 for the USAF lower cost fighter to complement the F-15, and then into the F/A-18. The final development of the type was the F-20 Tiger Shark which was powered by the General Electric F404 with single engine installed. That was the same engine that powered the F/A-18. Historically the F-5 and T-38 was viewed as under powered. That may have been true, however, the small airframe only allowed for small power plants which was fundamental to Northrop's vision. The engine which powered the F-20 fully exploited the airframe, but unfortunately no one showed any interest in buying the type. BG Chuck Yeager flew the type and stated it was the best air to air performer ever built, at least up until that time. They all are awesome aircraft and this is a fantastic photo! It's amazing the longevity of the type. It remains the USAF advanced trainer, NASA astronauts uses them to maintain fight currency, and both the USAF and USN uses the as aggressors. It was a grand slam development by the Northrop Cooperation.