Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-5>HA3357
Northrop Grumman F-5F Tiger II 3-7155, 43rd TFS, Islamic Iranian AF, 2009
General Background
The Northrop F-5 tactical fighter was designed as an extremely maneuverable, supersonic fighter with a high rate of reliability at a low operating cost. The F-5 first flew on July 30, 1959 with the first customer delivery in 1964. The last of more than 2,600 F-5’s was produced in 1989 and about two-thirds of these are still in service with 26 countries more than 4 decades later. The F-5 was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and under license in Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland.
The Aircraft
In 1972 Northrop Grumman F-5F Tiger II MSN Z.1002 was the second F-5F manufactured
for Iran and given Iranian serial 7-7155. 7-7155 flew numerous combat missions during the
Iran-Iraq War. 3-7155 was assigned to the 41st TFS between 1976 and 2009 before being
transferred to the 43rd TFS (The Tigers). Both units are part of the 41st TFW located at
Dez/Vahdati, 4th Tactical Air Base. The 41st TFS is equipped with F-5E and perhaps some
F-5F while the 43rd TFS is believed to have 11 F-5Fs.
Specifications :
| Specification for the Northrop F-5E/ F-5F Tiger II | |
| Number Built: | 1,400 + E/F |
| Role F-5F: | Two-seat Combat Trainer Version Of The F-5E Tiger II |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (F-5E): | 47 feet 4.75 inch (14.65 m) |
| Length (F-5F): | 51 feet 4 inch (15.65 m) |
| Wingspan F-5E & F-5F: | 26 ft 8 in) |
| Height (F-5E): | 13 feet 4 inch (4.06 m) |
| Height (F-5F): | 13 feet 1.75 inch (4.01 m) |
| Weight | |
| Empty Weight (F-5E): | 9,723 lb (4,410 kg) |
| Empty Weight (F-5F): | 10,576 lb (4,797 kg) |
| Max Take-off Weight (F-5E): | 24,722 lb (11,214 kg) |
| Max Take-off Weight (F-5F): | 25,152 lb (11,409 kg) |
| Performance | |
| Powerplant: | 2 x General Electric J85-GE-21B Turbojets With 5,000 lb.s.t. With Afterburning |
| Maximum Speed F-5E: | Mach 1.64 @ 36,000 ft |
| Maximum Speed F-5F: | Mach 1.55 @ 36,000 ft |
| Range (F-5E): | 1,545 nm (2,863 km) |
| Range (F-5F): | 1,270 nm (2,353 km) |
| Service Ceiling (F-5E): | 51,800 ft (15,780 m) |
| Service Ceiling (F-5F): | 50,800 ft (15,484 m) |
| Max Rate of Climb (F-5E): | 34,500 feet/min |
| Max Rate of Climb (F-5F): | 32,900 feet/min |
| Armament | 1 x In-Nose 20mm M39A2 Cannon With 140 Rounds |
| 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles On Wing Tips | |
| 5 x Pylons Capable Of Carrying Up To 7,000 lbs. Of Ordnance Or Fuel | |
| 1 x Under Fuselage Center-line | |
| 4 x Under Wing (2/Wing) |