FOR SALE
World’s Finest Flying Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter (Tiger)
Provenance
This aircraft was acquired by our client in 1997 and immediately sent to Bristol Aerospace Ltd. in Canada for a complete restoration and avionics upgrade. Originally delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the aircraft has also been owned by Combat Jet & Aerospace Museum, Chino, CA, and by U.S. Aviation Museum (Roger Hardesty).
The aircraft spent 19 months at Bristol, the Canadian contractor for the maintenance
and modification of Canada’s fleet of CF-5 aircraft. Bristol was the world leader
in the modernization of the F-5 aircraft at that time. The F-5A has been in service
in many of the world’s air forces since the early 1960’s. Due perhaps to its
versatile mission profile, the airplane has developed a history of fatigue cracks
around the main wing spars and the load-bearing fuselage bulkheads that the wing
attaches to. Bristol has developed a modernization program that replaces the
left & right wing spars and the 3 affected fuselage bulkheads with new and improved
versions. This aircraft was completely torn down and modified with the new components.
For the detail of the Bristol work and additional modifications, click here.
The aircraft is currently based in our client’s privately-owned hangar in Rapid City, SD. The aircraft has been maintained in house by a staff which includes two A&P mechanics. Total time flown since this client has owned it: 253.2 hours. Absolutely no expense has been spared in the care of this perfect specimen of the Northrop fighter family. This is a museum-quality aircraft, in perfect flying condition. Truly a unique opportunity to own the finest flying F-5A in existence.
This is a pre-moratorium airplane; the original Special Airworthiness Certificate was issued in 1987. Current FAA operating limitations permit IFR and night flight, and the ejection seat is approved if properly maintained. Supersonic flight authorization may be obtained under FAR 91.817.
The aircraft is available alone or with spares and ground equipment. For pricing and further information please give us a call at 772-492-0179.
Disclaimer
This aircraft is operated under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate, Group 2 –Turbine-Powered Aircraft – Exhibition, operating limitations. The operating limitations assigned to the aircraft are not transferrable and the new owner must apply for, among other requirements, new operating limitations from the local FSDO where the airplane is to be based. Under the current Experimental Operating Limitations, the aircraft is required to have an approved maintenance inspection program, currently on file at the FSDO in Rapid City, SD. In addition, the operating limitations require the aircraft to be operated within the replacement times for life-limited parts specified in the applicable technical publications pertaining to the aircraft and its components. It shall be the responsibility of any prospective purchaser of this aircraft to ensure that all of the life-limited parts of this aircraft and components are within these guidelines. Although the current owner believes the aircraft is presently in compliance, the current owner makes no representation as to the actual condition of the aircraft relative to the life-limited parts.