To meet the air defense needs of allied countries, Northrop's F-5E won the "International Fighter" (IFA) project proposed by the U.S. Air Force in 1970.
In 1973, the first mass-produced F-5E was delivered to the U.S. Air Force to train pilots nationwide who had ordered the F-5E.
Since 1974, the Republic of China Air Force has cooperated with Northrop Corporation and received approval to assemble and produce F-5E and two-seat F-5Fs on its own.
By 1986, a total of 308 F-5E/Fs had been produced, accounting for a quarter of the number in service worldwide.
During the production period, improvements were made to the electronic system and aerodynamics.
In 1996, Singapore Technologies Aerospace Corporation placed an order to convert seven newer F-5Es into RF-5Es to replace the RF-104Gs' reconnaissance missions.
In the 1990s, after next-generation fighter aircraft such as the F-CK-1, F-16 A/B Block 20 and Mirage 2000-5 entered service with the Republic of China Air Force, the F-5E/F remained only at the air base in eastern Taiwan and was completely relegated to the role of second line support. Since 1981, the 46th Squadron at Taitung Base began replacing the F-5A/B with the F-5E/F and simulating the performance of the MiG-21 for confrontation training with other combat forces.
However, as the performance of the F-5E/F gradually became unable to withstand the function of imaginary enemies, in 2005 No. 46 Squadron was relieved of its task of simulating imaginary enemies and switched to general tactical training.
The F-5E/Fs released from imaginary enemy service were put into regular service, but eight of them still retained their original special paint scheme.
The RF-5E, responsible for reconnaissance and photography missions, was also reorganized from the original base in Taoyuan to the 12th Squadron at the base in Hualien in the same year.
Since 2011, including the 46 F-5E/Fs and RF-5Es still in service, the Republic of China Air Force has reduced the color of the national emblem, equipment serial numbers and unit insignia of its main combat aircraft.
Plastic model kit
Scale 1:48
unbuilt / unpainted
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