<article><hdr>Airborne shot of an F-5 Freedom Fighter</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The success of the T-38 Talon as the advanced trainer for the USAF lead Northrop to design a lightweight, low cost fighter designated the F-5 with the potential for export sales. All F-5 production was intended for Mutual Aid Pact (MAP), although some were supplied to the USAF to be stationed in the USA for training purposes. Twelve F-5As from a 1965 order were redirected from those intended for export and assigned to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron in South Vietnam for combat evaluation under programme 'Skoshi Tiger' . The aircraft were fitted with an inflight refuelling probe which resulted in the designation F-5C being applied. Despite performing more than 3,500 combat sorties for the loss of two aircraft, the programme was eventually abandoned with the survivors being transferred to the Vietnamese Air Force.</hi>
