Tigres Skoshi: Probando el Northrop F-5 en Vietnam || Documental de aviación
Video from the channel Mach Two Aviation about Northrop F-5, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 17:17. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
Documentary about the origins of the Northrop F-5 and about Skoshi Tiger, the combat evaluation in Vietnam that let the US Air Force test a lightweight fighter that, at first, nobody wanted.
Historical context
In 1954 Northrop toured Europe and Asia to find out what its allies were looking for. The answer was cheap, easy-to-maintain, versatile aircraft — the opposite of fighters like the F-4 Phantom II. That led to the N-156 program in 1955, led by Edgar Schmued. The two-seat version became the T-38 Talon trainer, in service since 1961. The single-seat version first flew on July 30, 1959 at Edwards, and in 1962 it was chosen for the military aid program for allies as the F-5A Freedom Fighter. Many countries hesitated because the USAF didn't use it on the front line, so Defense Secretary Robert McNamara pushed for its evaluation in South Vietnam.
Key facts
The 453rd Tactical Fighter Squadron received twelve aircraft modified as F-5C, with a refueling probe and armor. In October 1965 it flew to Bien Hoa in four days, with 16 in-flight refuelings. In 150 days of combat it flew 2,664 sorties and required about 10 man-hours of maintenance per flight hour, compared with 30 to 40 for the F-4C. One aircraft was lost. The experience led to the F-5 Tiger II, whose name pays tribute to the program.