Canadair NF-5A/B Royal Netherlands Air Force History, camouflage and markings English


Authors: Tim van Kampen and Luuk Boerman
Publisher: Dutch Profile
ISBN: 978-94-90092-35-1
Published 2022
pages 63
Target price around 14,95 euro.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force received 75 NF-5A single-seaters and 30 NF-5B
two-seaters. The aircraft are built under license by the Canadian aircraft
manufacturer Canadair. The aircraft had more powerful engines than the original
F-5 and largely corresponded to the CF-5A and CF-5D that Canadair produced
under license for the Canadian Air Force. The aircraft was purchased relatively
late to replace the F-84F Thunderstreak
because the KLu had previously counted
on the purchase of more F-104G Starfighters through the Mutual Defense
Assistance Program (MDAP). Unfortunately, that did not happen and the alternative to the Thunderstreak
was ultimately the purchase of the NF-5. That turned out to be a golden
opportunity. It was the safest fighter
aircraft the KLu has ever had in service. Although the NF-5 within the KLu may have
remained in the shadow of the Starfighter and later the F-16, it has clearly
proven to be able to perform the tasks as a fighter-bomber for which it was purchased
excellently.
The publications of Dutch Profile (a
successful spin-off of Dutch Decals) already have a respectable list of
publications on Dutch aviation topics to their name. The Canadair (Northrop)
NF-5A/B has now been added.
It takes me back to my first years as an aviation enthusiast/spotter. Seen a
lot and certainly also photographed a lot. My first base visit to Twente Air
Base in early 1970 yielded the first
flightline photos.
Many books have already been published about the Dutch NF-5s. Cor van Gent 2 books, Flash also a profile and
many articles in magazines where we as IPMS in Modelbouw In Plastic also made
us very meritorious. The subject is
certainly not new, but still Dutch Profile has realized this edition. For the sake of clarity, I do not know all
publications about the NF-5 and as such simply look at this edition.
The edition has 64 pages, but these are divided into half Dutch and the other half
in English. So actually, you will receive more than 30 pages of information and
photos about the Freedom Fighter. The story of the NF-5A and B in a nutshell.
It is not called "profile" for nothing. However, the photo story continues in the
edition from start to finish regardless of the language, which makes looking at
pictures an important part of the publication as with all Dutch Profiles. The
number of photos is vast. In addition to many NIMH photos, which not everyone
will know again many photos from private collections.
The Profile successively goes through the history of the NF-5 including the
operation "High Flight" transferring the aircraft from Canada to the
Netherlands, Command Tactical Air Forces (CTL), the squadrons, Special Units
and the Demo teams.
Four pages with side profiles and four pages with the technical description of
the color schemes used. A complete list of all NF-5A and B's with all relevant
data completes this publication
Conclusion
An excellent publication about the NF-5 in concise form for anyone who wants to
get to know the history in word and image of this aircraft in service of the
Royal Netherlands Air Force. I have come across many interesting facts in it. It
is pleasantly written and reads nicely in a good layout. Very interesting
pictures. For modelers certainly
interesting. The complete English
translation certainly makes it international interesting as well.
All this at a very reasonable price. A good addition to the Dutch Profile series.
Oh and yes for the attentive reader I have provided a reasonable selection of
photos but have not been involved in any way in the publication and
composition.