Canadair CF-5
The Canadair CF-5 (officially designated the CF-116 Freedom Fighter) is a Canadian licensed-built Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter. It is 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 life in Canada. While Canadian Forces retired the aircraft in 1995, it continues to be used by other countries.
| CF-5/CF-116/NF-5 Freedom Fighter | |
|---|---|
| Canadian Forces CF-5A Freedom Fighter on display 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 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) 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.