Canadian Warplanes 6a: Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter
(CF Photo via Mike Kaehler)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116815), No. 419 Squadron, coded 15, Aggressor colours, CFB Cold Lake, Albera, 1978.
Originally ordered as RCAF 14813, re-marked before completion. Delivered direct to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. On static display at CFB Namao on Armed Forces Day, 1969. May have been first public display of type. Operated by 433e L'Escadre de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Quebec., in aluminum paint, by 1974. Also operated by 434 Squadron. Received structural upgrade late 1980s. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1990 and 1993. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Seen in storage, inside Hanger 3 at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. Nose section in use as recruiting aid by 2007, still in aggressor markings. Reportedly owned by Public Affairs Exhibits.
The Canadair CF-5 (officially designated the CF-116 Freedom Fighter) is a Canadair license-built version of the American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter aircraft flown primarily by the Canadian Forces (as the CF-5) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (as the NF-5). The CF-5 was upgraded periodically throughout its service career in Canada. The Canadian Forces retired the type in 1995, although CF-5s continue to be used by other countries.
The CF-5 was ordered by the RCAF, which became part of the Canadian Forces on 1 February 1968. The new unified force took delivery of the first CF-5s (it was almost universally referred to as the CF-5 except in official documentation) at the end of 1968. Production by Canadair for the Canadian Forces was 89 single-seat aircraft, 46 dual-seat aircraft and 75 single-seat with 30 dual-seat aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a total production of 240. Some surplus Canadian aircraft were sold to Venezuela.
Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter (89), Serial Nos. 116701 to 116789, CF-116D (46) Serial Nos. 116801 to 116846, for a total of 136 aircraft.
(CAF Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116836).
First flight on 8 April 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 9 July 1974. With No. 1 Flying Training School at Cold Lake in 1975. Used by Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment in 1979, 1982, 1983, and 1987. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1989. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. With No. 419 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1995, one of the last operational CF-5s. Still in use in June 1995. Stored at CFB Trenton by September 1995. Seen in storage, outdoors at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. Still stored outside there in September 2007. Still outside, wrapped in foil, by August 2008. Still there in November 2008. Reported as sold to Aero Vision in USA, but still at Mountain View in June 2010 and October 2010. Left Mountain View on 30 June 2011. Registered as N836LG in February 2012, to Logix Global Inc. of Lewis, Delaware. Sold to Tiger Aircraft of Tucson, Arizona in May 2012. Stored at New Castle Airport, Delaware, on 23 May 2012, reported marked N836MX, not confirmed. Registered as N475TA in July 2012, to Aerovisions Holdings of Newark, Deleware. To Global Aviation International of Jupiter, Florida in July 2103. Noted as new registration pending in July 2015. Reported stored at Tucson in November 2015, disassembled, but not confirmed. Registered as N836LG to Fast Jets LLC of Tucson, Arizona in April 2016.
(DND Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116837), CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. The red wingtip livery was an "Arctic" paint scheme.
First flight on 25 April 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 29 May 1974. With No. 1 Flying Training School at Cold Lake in 1975. With No. 434 Squadron in 1979, 1985, and 1988. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. With No. 419 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1995, one of the last operational CF-5s. Stored at CFB Trenton by June 1995. Seen in storage, outdoors at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. Still stored outside, wrapped in plastic, in September 2007, and August 2008. Still stored outside at Mountain View in November 2008. Reported as sold to Aero Vision in USA, but still at Mountain View in June 2010 and October 2010. Left Mountain View on 15 July 2011. Registered as N837LG in February 2012, to Logix Global Inc. of Lewis, Delaware. Sold to Tiger Aircraft of Tucson, Arizona in May 2012. Stored at New Castle Airport, Delaware, on 23 May 2012. Registered as N475QAM in July 2012, to Aerovisions Holdings of Newark, Deleware. To Global Aviation International of Jupiter, Flrodia in July 2103. Registered as N7R to SSBM LLC of Phoenix, Arizona in October 2015. Registered as N837LG to Fast Jets LLC of Tucson, Arizona in April 2016.
(DND Photo via Tim Gallagher)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116843).
First flight on 6 September 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 26 September 1974. Used by No. 1 Flying Training School at Cold Lake. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1979, 1989 and 1990. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. Back with No. 419 Squadron in 1994. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Stored at CFD Mountain view by June 1995, still there in June 2004. Scrapped in 2004.
(Author Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116845), CFB Trenton, Ontario, 1978.
First flight on 28 October 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 19 November 1974. With 433e L'Escadre de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, in 1976 and 1981. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in late 1981. Back with 433 Squadron in 1982, and when it visited Nellis AFB in Nevada on 15 October 1984. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. Still with No. 419 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1995, one of the last operational CF-5s. Stored at CFB Trenton by June 1995. Seen in storage, outdoors at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. Still stored outside, wrapped in plastic, in September 2007. Stored inside by October 2008. Still inside November 2008, reported being prepared for departure. Left Mountain View on 10 February 2009. Registered to Corsair Enterprises of Peninsula, Ohio in March 2009, as N845PS. To Tactical Air Support Inc. of Reno, Nevada in October 2013.
(CAF Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116813).
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116822).
Originally ordered as RCAF 14822, re-marked before completion. Initial delivery to 443e L'Escadre de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, on 25 August 1969. First two seater and first CF-116 with this unit. With No. 434 Squadron by 1979. Visited Shearwater, NS for air show in September 1982, in No. 434 markings. At CFB Bagotville with 434 Squadron in 1986. With No. 419 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake in 1990. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by July 1991, still there in February 1995. At Mountain View in 2001, partly disassembled. Reported scrapped by May 2003.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116823).
Originally ordered as RCAF 14823, re-marked before completion. Delivered direct to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta for use by No. 419 Squadron. Used in 1974 demo team "the Cobras". In aggressor markings by 1978, coded "23". Used in late 1970s by "Rut Zulu" demonstration team. Received structural upgrade late 1980s. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. Still with No. 419 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1995, one of the last operational CF-5s. Stored at CFB Trenton by June 1995. Seen in storage, outdoors at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in June 1997, still there in October 2005. Still stored outside, wrapped in plastic, in September 2007. Sold to AeroVision, left Mountain View on 18 February 2008. To US civil register as N105BD in June 2010, this registration cancelled in May 2011. Re-registered as N823MA in June 2011. Re-registered as N331TF in July 2012, to Northrop TF5-1 Corp. of Newark, Deleware. To Global Aviation International of Jupiter, Flrodia in July 2103. To SSBM LLC of Phoenix, Arizona in December 2015.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116823).
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116825).
Originally ordered as RCAF 14825, re-marked before completion. Initial delivery to CFB Bagotville, Quebec. Operated by 433e L'Escadre de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, in aluminum paint in 1972 and 1984. With No. 419 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake by 1986. On display at London, Ontario air show in June 1992 and June 1994, in 419 Squadron markings. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Stored at Mountain View in 1997 and 2000. Reported candidate for Museum transfer, then sold to Grecoair in 1997, but this deal apparently fell through. Present location and ownership unknown.
(DND Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116825), with a non-retractable gunnery target.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 11629).
First flight on 14 January 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 12 February 1974. With No. 1 Flying Training School at Cold Lake in 1975. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. Became instructional airframe A771 on 16 March 1979, back to flying status by August 1986. With 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1987 and 1990. Received full avionics upgrade in early 1990s. Stored at CFB Trenton in 1991. Back to 419 Squadron in 1993. In storage at Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, February 1995. Delivered to Botswana on 18 September 1996. Their serial OJ23.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116829).
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116830).
First flight on 17 January 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 14 February 1974. With No. 419 Squadron at that base in 1982, 1983, and 1984. Operated by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at Cold Lake in 1989 and 1992. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. In storage at Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, February 1995. Stored at CFB Trenton in September 1995. Stored at CFD Mountain View in June 1997. Delivered to Botswana June 2000. Their serial OJ25.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116830).
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116832).
First flight on 14 February 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 23 April 1974. Used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in 1982. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1984, 1990, and 1992. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Stored at Mountain View in 1997. Back to Trenton by 12 June 1999. To No. 406 (HT) Squadron at CFB Shearwater, NS as a training aid in June 2002. Stored in Shearwater Aviation Museum hanger #2, where training sessions may be viewed by the public
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116832).
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116833).
First flight on 4 March 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 28 March 1974. Used by No. 1 Canadian Forces Flight Training School. Flew right wing in 1974 squadron demo team, "The Cobras". With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1979. Used by Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment in 1982. Back with 419 Squadron in 1984 and 1992. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. In storage at Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, February and June 1995. Maintained in flying status at Bristol from the mid 1990s, for testing and demonstration to potential foreign buyers. Displayed at Le Bourget in June 1995. Still in use as a demonstrator in June 2006, one of the last flying CF-5s in Canada. Seen in storage, inside Hanger 2 at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. Left Mountain View on 10 July 2007. To US civil register August 2007 as N15FF. Reported as purchased by Ross Perot, Jr., will be used to train foreign air forces in Texas. Registered to Freedom 1 LLC of Wilmington, Delaware in October 2007. Offered for sale in 2016 for $1.8M USD.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116834), No.433 Squadron.
(Neil C. Aird Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116810), CFB Trenton, Ontario, 10 June 1972.
Originally ordered as RCAF 14810, re-marked before completion. Delivered direct to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. Operated by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at Cold Lake in 1979 and 1987. With No. 419 Squadron at cold Lake in 1988. Received structural upgrade late 1980s, back with 419 Squadron in 1990 and 1993. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Stored at Mountain View in June 1995, still there in September 2001. Delivered to Canadian Air Land Sea Museum in August 2002. Stored outdoors at Markham, Ontario airport by July 2007. Inside museum there by September 2007.
(Craig Baldwin Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116835).
First flight on 10 April 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. Served with No. 1 Flying Training School and No. 419 Squadron at that base. With No. 419 Squadron in 1985. to Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg by September 1989. Received full Avionic Update Program modifications in early 1990s. Still with No. 419 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1995, one of the last operational CF-5s. Stored at CFB Trenton by June 1995. Seen in storage, inside Hanger 2 at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. At CFB Borden by June 2006, still there in May 2012. On display in Museum at Borden by June 2012. Reported registered as N835AV to Aerovision Holdings of Newark, Delaware in July 2012. Registered to "F-5 835 LLC" of Newark, Deleware in February 2015. Registered to Aerovisions Holdings of Newark, Deleware in March 2016.
Canadair CF-11D Freedom Fighters preserved
(Krystle Wilson Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 116832), 419 Squadron, silver, dual. CLAFM, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.
(Author Photo)
(Author Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 116809), grey cam. Ordnance Museum, Montreal, Quebec.
Originally ordered as RCAF 14809, re-marked before completion. Delivered direct to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta for use by No. 419 Squadron. Operated in aggressor markings, coded "09". Still with this Squadron in 1984. Stored at CFB Trenton by September 1987. Received structural upgrade late 1980s. Back with No. 419 Squadron by June 1989, still there in 1993. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by April 1994, still there in February 1995. Seen in storage, inside Hanger 1 at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in October 2005. On display at the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Museum, Montreal.
(DND Photo, TNC78-79, via James Craik)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter, CAF (Serial No. 116815), 419 Squadron, Aggressor colours, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, 1978.
Originally ordered as RCAF 14815, re-marked before completion. Delivered direct to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta for use by No. 419 Squadron. Still with this Squadron in178, in aggressor markings, coded "15". Received structural upgrade late 1980s. Back with 419 Squadron in 1993. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. On static display at Trenton in June 1996, marked "Pontiac built for flyers". Reported still stored at CFB Trenton in October 2005. Now with the Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin, Saskatchewan.
(Author Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 116815), coded R-AM, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
(Author Photo)
Canadair CF-116D Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 116834). Connaught Range and Primary Training Centre, Shirley's Bay, Ottawa, Ontario.
First flight on 14 March 1974. Initial delivery to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta on 11 April 1974. With No. 1 Flying Training School at Cold Lake in 1975. With No. 419 Squadron at Cold Lake in 1979. With 433e L'Escadre de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, in 1984 and 1985. Back with 419 Squadron in 1986. Received structural upgrade late 1980s. Used for trials at Bristol Aerospace in 1992. With 419 Squadron in 1994. In storage at Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton by February 1995. Reported stored at CFB Trenton in October 2005. On static display at Shirley's Bay, Ontario by February 2007, in overall grey and blue aggressor markings.
