Canadian Armed Forces Northrop CF-5 Freedom Fighter Service History 1960s-1990s – Photo History
Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick (unless otherwise indicated)
Write up by Henry Tenby
Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116813 June 1969 location not known.
The Canadian Armed Forces took delivery of large numbers of the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter which was re-designated the CF5 for operations in Canada’s defence. The F5 was built in both single and two seat versions with the latter being used predominantly in the training role in Canada.
The CF5 was based across the country with active defence Squadrons as well as with the training and experimental duties at CFB Namao and Cold Lake, predominantly in the 1970s. The CF5 was used for active interceptions and deployed to support Canadian peacekeeping missions with the UN to Europe, Cyprus and was frequently seen in both the UK and German during the heyday of its operations throughout the 1970s.
The type was withdrawn from active Canadian Forces service through the mid 1990s having been replaced with CF18s and Hawks, but the CF5 was an extremely capable and well respected aircraft by air and ground crews alike. It was also a very good looking aircraft and was a popular build for plastic modellers.
We hope you enjoy the Canadian Armed Forces CF5 images taken by Dr. John Blatherwick. Thank you very much for visiting this page, and enjoy!
I am looking to purchase 35mm Kodachrome aircraft slide collections. Please contact me: henrytenby at gmail dot comCanadian Armed Forces CF5 116813 June 1969.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116729 at Vancouver August 1970.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116729 at Vancouver May 1972.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116729 at Vancouver May 1972.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116819 from CFB Cold Lake at Vancouver March 1973.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116756 at CFB Shearwater September 1973.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116840 at Vancouver June 1975.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116702 at Vancouver September 1975.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116820 at Vancouver February 1976.Canadian Armed Forces CF5s lined up at CFB Cold Lake July 1977.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116729 of 419 Squadron in Europe July 1977.Canadian Armed Forces CF5s lined up at Abbotsford August 1978.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116758 at Vancouver March 1979.Canadian Armed Forces CF5s lined up at Abbotsford August 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116766 at Abbotsford August 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116816 at Abbotsford August 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116815 at Abbotsford August 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116844 at Vancouver September 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116812 at Abbotsford August 1980.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116806 at Abbotsford November 1982.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116757 434 Squadron at Vancouver November 1982.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116805 Abbotsford August 1983.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116814 at Abbotsford August 1983.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116826 at Abbotsford August 1983.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116821 of 434 Bluenose Squadron at Vancouver May 1983.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116836 at Vancouver October 1983.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116826 at Vancouver June 28 1985 (Henry Tenby slide).Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116763 May 1988.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116742 Bluenose Squadron May 1988.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116843 419 Squadron May 1990.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116715 at Paine Field August 16 1991 (Henry Tenby slide).Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116825 of 419 Squadron at London June 1994.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116768 419 Squadron at London June 1994.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116607 419 Squadron at CFB Trenton June 1996.Canadian Armed Forces CF5 116763 with red flag on tail at CFB Trenton June 1996.
