Red Flag 83-2: Singapore

[Old Viper Tester]

Singapore sent a small detachment of F-5Fs to the Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in Jan-Feb 1983.  Note that the national insignia hadn’t changed to the lion’s head yet.  All of the aircraft carry the 144 Sq emblem on the tail.

 

Aircraft 855 (USAF s/n 82-0189)

 

 

Aircraft 854 (USAF s/n 82-0188)

 

 

Aircraft 853 (USAF s/n 82-0187)

 

Considering the USAF serial numbers, wonder if these were straight from the production line?

 

Thanks for looking

Sven

[Giorgio N]

They were likely all brand new back then, they must be 3 ordered by Singapore in 1982 as they all have the TIgershark nose and LEX, some of the very first aircrafts with this feature. The dates tie in with the serial numbers you noted.

[YK GOH]

The three F-5Fs were delivered direct from Northrop factory to Nellis AFB where pilots and ground crew from 144 Squadron took over to participate in Ex Red Flag 83-2. This was also the first Red Flag that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) participated in. The three aircraft were later ferried to RAF Leuchars in Scotland by Northrop and the Singapore team then took over for the delivery flight to Singapore, touching down at Tengah Air Base on 24 Feb 1983. All three, together with the RSAF F-5 fleet, later underwent an avionics upgrade which include replacing the APQ-159 with the Fiar Grifo-F in the 1990s. The single-seat F-5Es were redesignated F-5S while the F-5Fs were redesignated F-5Ts.  Photo shows 853 in a special scheme just before the F-5 fleet was retired from service.

 

 

[Red Dot]

Great photos. thanks for posting Sven

 

Andy