Air Enthusiast 2003-05
D.Ford - First Freedoms
Carrying 'Norair' titles and logo, the prototype N-156F 59-4987 made the headlines when it achieved supersonic speed on its first flight.
The first of three YF-5As, 59-4987 was rolled out at Hawthorne, California, on May 30, 1959. While it had a USAF serial it did not have 'Stars n Bars'.
Первый N-156F вскоре после перевозки на авиабазу Эдвардс - самолет сфотографирован вместе с двумя первыми YT-38 Talon. Летчики-испытатели компании "Northrop" Дж. Д. Уэллс и Хэнк Чуто обмениваются впечатлениями с капитанами Свортом Нельсоном и Норвином Эвансом - летчиками ВВС США, летавшими на T-38 и N-156F.
The first YF-5A at Edwards AFB ready for flight test. Behind are YT-38s 59-1191 and '92.
Third YF-5A 59-4989 during flight test and trials by USAF.
YF-5A 59-4987 with an impressive display of the armament options available.
The first YF-5A went on to be reworked as the first F-5A. Note the 'buzz number' with only a single letter prefix.
One of the last F-5As from the first batch of 'Dash-15s', 63-8421 on take-off at Edwards.
In October 1958 Northrop showed off the N-156F mock-up, with a bogus serial number on the fin. It is evident there were few changes between it and the YF-5As.
Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter
The first N-156B F-5B, 63-8438, about to leave the spray bay at Hawthorne prior to first flight, March 1964. Note that the rear segment of the canopy appears to have been blanked off.