Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter

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• The CF-5 shows its classic jet fighter profile, which also goes to show why modern jet fighters have earned the nickname "Lawndarts". Their appearance does call to mind the basic shape of a lawn dart due to their generally long, pointed noses, narrow bodies and large wing and tail surfaces.

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• The CF-5 had a high approach speed, even compared to other fighters, and its very clean, aerodynamic lines led to very litle speed being lost to aerodynamic drag. Therefore, to reduce wear on the brakes, and especially when it was desirable to cycle Aircraft rapidily through the runway environment, the drogue 'chute was used on occasion to further reduce the Aircraft's speed on landing.

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• A 410 "Cougar" Squadron Hornet and a 419 "Moose" Squadron Freedom Fighter bank in formation over part of CFB Cold Lake's extensive Air Weapons Range in northern Alberta. The Hornet is in the current "ghost grey" camouflage paint scheme with the false canopy in black on the belly while the CF-5 is in "Aggressor Squadron" paint scheme designed to mimic Soviet camouflage styles when the Aircraft is used as "enemy force" during air combat exercises.

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• Most of the CF-5s went to 433 Squadron, Bagotville, and 434 Squadron and 419 Squadron, both in Cold Lake; others went to the Air Force Engineering Test Establishment at Uplands. They were used in a tactical support role based in Canada but committed to NATO's northern flank. This Freedom Fighter belongs to AETE in Cold Lake and is seen here firing rockets at the weapons range at Cold Lake.

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• Number 116728 was a CF-5A (single-seater) with 433 "Porcupine" Tactical Fighter Squadron, or more correctly 433e L'Escadre de Combat (433 ETAC) as it was a French Language Unit out of CFB Bagotville, Que. This view shows the Aircraft mounted with underwing fuel tanks, and CRV-7 rocket launchers, as well as a photo recce nose and a centre-line SUU5003 pod capable of loading six Multi-Purpose Practice Bombs (MPPB) and four CRV-7 rockets.

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• 11607,...19, ...23, and ...24 are all CF-5Ds or duals of 419 City of Kamloops (Moose) Squadron (now stood down) out of CFB Cold Lake. In the mid-1970s these Aircraft were formed into 419 Sqn.'s impromptu air demonstration team, the "Rut Zulus". They are wearing their "Aggressor Squadron" colours in which they would imitate Soviet fighters and act as the enemy force during aerial combat training. 116819 later crashed at Cold Lake Air Weapons Range on 10 January, 1992.

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• A close up photo of the underside of a CF-5, taken from another CF-5 in line astern formation. This is a training formation not normally used in actual combat operations.

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• Two CF-5s from 419 Squadron execute a formation takeoff from runway 13R at Cold Lake. The Aircraft in back is painted in a three-tone grey camoflage while the one in front is in a natural aluminum finish.

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• These three 419 (Moose) Tactical Fighter Training Squadron CF-5s of CFB Cold Lake, Alberta demonstrate the constant state of evolution and upgrading in the CF to help us meet current standards. The two rearmost Aircraft display bolt-on refuelling probes meant to configure the fighter for long-range flight through the support of an air-to-air refueller, as well the same two Aircraft have had their markings altered to a less highly visible configuration by removing the white from the flag insignia on the tail and from the roundel insignia on the nose.

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• The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's restored "Mynarski Lancaster" is escorted by two CF-5s, the nearer of the two being the 419 "Moose" Squadron's airshow bird (now retired and on a pedestal in Kamloops). The Mynarski Lanc has made regular airshow appearances in past years, but the summer of 1996 will mark its final full circuit tour. Thereafter, it will restrict its appearances to the Hamilton, Ontario region and its museum home.

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• The Canadair CF-5 freedom fighter was first aquired by the CF (Canadian Forces) in 1968. Because of its simple construction, the Aircraft became known as the "Tinkertoy" or the "Supersonic Tinkertoy". Powered by twin J-85 engines producing 2925 pounds of thrust, the Freedom Fighter has become the world's most widespread light-weight fighter Aircraft.

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• This CF-5 in 419 "City of Kamloops" Squadron's show colours prominently displays the "Moose" squadron's insignia as well as Canada's national colours.

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• Seen in formation with a French Air Force Mirage III over the French Alps, these 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron CF-5s are participating in joint NATO exercises. During the Cold War era 433 Squadron was operationally tasked with deployment to Europe in case of hostilities and were therefore deployed annually from their home base in Bagotville, Quebec to Europe to maintain their ability for such an eventuality by participating in these joint exercises.

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• This is a CF-5 from the 434 "Bluenose" Tactical Fighter Squadron flying past the ship that gave the squadron its name, the schooner Bluenose II. The Freedom Fighter was taken out of service in 1995 after 27 years of duty as a light strike fighter and training Aircraft. This example was modified to carry reconnaissance cameras in the nose.

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• In addition to its training role, the CF-5 fulfilled the requirements for a lightweight strike fighter, able to carry most of the weapons in our inventory. These two CF-5s are from 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron and are unleashing a salvo of Canadian-built CRV-7 air-to-ground rockets at the Primrose Lake Evaluation Range in Alberta.

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• Entering service in 1968 with 434 Squadron in Cold Lake, the CF-5 later also served with 434 Squadron in Bagotville. This Aircraft sports a festive paint scheme commemorating 419 "Moose" Squadron's illustrious history.

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• The CF-5 was a twin engine, supersonic, jet tactical fighter designed for missions in close support of ground troops, interception of enemy Aircraft, and armed reconnaissance missions at high and low altitudes. These four examples are in formation over the runway at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

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• The CF-5's weapons included five 500-pound Mark 82 bombs or 4 pods of 70mm Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFARs) or combinations of these. Two GM MN-39 20mm cannons were carried except on the CF-5D dual configuration.

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• This CF-5 dual is assigned to AETE as indicated by the large red "X" on the tail and is seen here in the process of deploying a towed aerial target for test and evaluation trials. Though displayed here in the typical paint scheme of the 1970s, i.e. "Armed Forces" next to a tricolour roundel at the nose and a full colour Canadian flag on the tail, number 801 was one of only 36 of the CF-5s to recieve the full structural and Avionics Upgrade Programme modifications before the fleet was taken out of operational service in 1995 in an effort to reduce Defence spending.

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• A beautiful angle of a single seat CF-5. The Aircraft was flown in several paint schemes and is represented here in camouflage pattern. In service since 1968, The CF-5 has proven to be a safe, easy-to-fly, tough, fighter Aircraft.

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• This Hornet and Freedom Fighter, based out of CFB Cold Lake, are seen flying past the nearby town of Cold Lake, Alberta. Until recently, the CF-5 was used by the Canadian Forces as a lead-in fighter trainer at Cold Lake, whereas the CF-18 continues as Canada's operational fighter Aircraft, though in reduced numbers.

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• Taken from the air on the occassion of the first Exercise Maple Flag (modelled after the USAF's Red Flag to provide realistic training for CF and visiting fighter pilots) from 24 April to 20 May, 1978, this photo displays the tarmac in front of CFB Cold Lake's control tower with a multi-national Aircraft exhibit. From left to right are a USAF C-130 Hercules Aircraft, a CF-104 Starfighter, a CF-5 Freedom Fighter, a CF-101 Voodoo, a USAF S-61R Sea King , a USAF F-15 Eagle, a USAF A-7 Corsair, a USN A-4 Skyhawk, a USAF HH-53 "Jolly Green Giant", and a CF-5 Freedom Fighter in Aggressor Squadron markings.

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• This strikingly painted Freedom Fighter is number 721 with 419 City of Kamloops Tactical Fighter Training "Moose" Squadron. It is their 1994 "Moose Bird," or airshow display Aircraft. Just a year later, in June 1995, 419 Squadron disbanded. Operational flying of the CF-5 had ceased some months earlier on 31 March, 1995. Aircraft 721 is now displayed on a pedestal in Kamloops, B.C.

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• Canadian two-seat F-5s differ from most other dual F-5s in the world in that they carry no cannons in the nose. In this aspect, they are closer to the T-38 Talon in design than any other member of the F-5 family.

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• The Canadair manufacture of the Northrop F-5 ground support fighter produced 135 CF-5 Aircraft for the RCAF (of which 20 were later declared surplus and sold to Venezuala), and 105 Aircraft for the Netherlands. Like its predecessor the Starfighter and its successor the Hornet, the Freedom Fighter sports the same basic shape that have earned fighter Aircraft the nickname "Lawndarts".

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• A view of the back seat of a CF-5B in formation with another CF-5B near Cold Lake, Alberta. The helmet worn here is no longer in service, having been replaced by a lighter version.

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