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The multi-role CF-5 was intended to replace the nuclear-armed CF-104 Starfighter and CF-101 Voodoo squadrons with a conventional warfighter. However, as an air superiority fighter, it was useless against all but the oldest relics in the Warsaw arsenal. It fared little better as a close air support tactical fighter, thanks to its short range, relatively small weapons load, lack of all-weather navigation, and its inability to survive in a sophisticated, integrated air defense environment. Despite this, 240 were built in Canada and served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years, not as a replacement for the existing fleet, but as an addition to them no one in the military seemed to really want. So why did Canada operate the CF-5? As you might well have assumed, the story behind the acquisition and operation of the CF-5 is a complicated one.

0:00 Introduction
0:38 The Northrop F-5A
2:13 Canada's Big Air Force
3:05 Hellyer and the new Air Force
7:02 Selection of the CF-5
10:17 Design development and Production
14:06 Deployment history
17:14 Introduction of CF-18 and upgrades
19:42 Retirement
20:38 Foreign Sales
21:54 Accidents and legacy

Music:
Denmark - Portland Cello Project

Research Sources:
The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast Page - https://www.the-northrop-f-5-enthusia...

Canadair CF-5 - Joe Baugher - http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighte...
A National Force: The Evolution of Canadas Army, 1950-2000 by Peter Kasurak - https://books.google.ca/books?id=JbcA... ACfU3U0zQp5UxzRsxVy5ZEdyUdLhfSkeEA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjoneqi6qjuAhVTMH0KHQURBIsQ6AEwBnoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=CF-5&f=false
Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers - http://www.rwrwalker.ca/
Training at the Edge: The Canadian Air Force’s Transition to the CF-18, and Lessons Learned for Canada’s Next Generation Fighter by Richard Shimooka - http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol15...
The Rise and Fall of Canada's Cold War Air Force, 1948-1968 by Bertram C. Frandsen - https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewconte...
Cold War Air Power Choices for the RCAF: Paul Hellyer and the Selection of the CF-5 Freedom Fighter by Major Ray Stouffer - http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo7/n...

Footage Sources:
Wing F 4 Phantom II -    • Wings F 4 Phantom II  
Wings F 5 Freedom Fighter -    • Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter  
RCAF 419 Squadron 1989 - Bob Lawless -    • RCAF 419 Squadron 1989  
CF-5 Extreme Low Flying - headfella -    • CF-5 Extreme Low Flying  

#CF5 #CanadianAerospace #PolyusStudios