Astra in Quinte West in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

CF-116 Freedom Fighter

Canadair, Northrup

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

1. CF-116 Freedom Fighter Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Canadair/Northrop, F-5 Freedom Fighter (RCAF designation CF-116) was built in Montreal, Quebec. Built by Canadair under license from Northrop, the Canadian model used the Orenda J85-CAN-15 engine, which gave it more thrust power than the American counterpart. Required to meet Canada's NATO commitments, which meant providing air support in Norway, all of Canada's CF-5s were equipped with in-flight refuelling probes, stronger windshields against bird strikes, extra armour and improved gun sights.

Despite its manoeuvrability and being easy to fly, the Freedom Fighter was ill-suited for its role with NATO. It could not cross the Atlantic without in-flight refuelling. Its range was only 314 kilometers (195 miles). It was too small to carry enough weaponry (it only had two 20 mm cannon) or fuel to be used as an effective defensive or fighter aircraft. The last of the CF-116s to be delivered went straight into storage in North Bay and Trenton.

In service with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1968 to 1995, the Museum's Freedom Fighter was used first as a tactical fighter and trainer with 434 Squadron in

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Cold Lake, Alberta. In 1976, it was transferred to 419 Moose Squadron, where it was used mainly for training. It entered storage at the Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in February 1995. The aircraft is painted to commemorate the Moose Squadron and the red and white colours of Canada's flag. It was on display at Kamloops Airport before it joined the National Air Force Museum of Canada collection in 1997.

Specifications Tail #:116721 Model: CF-5A
Wingspan: 7.87 m, Length: 14.38 m
Height: 4.01 m
Max Weight: 9 249 kg
Max Speed: 1204 km/h
Crew: 1 pilot in ejection seat
Role: fighter (tactical), trainer
In service: 1968-1995

Caractéristiques
N° d'immatriculation: 116721
Modèle: CF-5A
Envergure: 7.87 m, Longueur: 14,38 m
Hauteur: 4,01 m
Masse maximale: 9249 kg
Vitesse maximale 1204 km/h
Équipage: 1 pilote en siège éjectable
Rôle: chasseur (tactique), entraînement
En service: 1968-1995

Erected by National Air Force Museum of Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 44° 6.905′ N,

CF-116 Freedom Fighter and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

2. CF-116 Freedom Fighter and Marker

77° 33.038′ W. Marker is in Quinte West, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is in Astra. It can be reached from Hewson Boulevard. Memorial is in the National Air Force Museum of Canada's Memorial Air Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 RCAF Road, Quinte West ON K0K 3V0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Canadian Victoria Cross Winners (a few steps from this marker); CF-104 Starfighter (a few steps from this marker); Escadron 426 Squadron (a few steps from this marker); CF-104 Starfighter Aviators Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 438 Squadron (within shouting distance of this marker); CF-100 Canuck (within shouting

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distance of this marker); 407 Demon Squadron (within shouting distance of this marker); MiG-21 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quinte West.

More about this marker. Admission required, and the outdoor Air Park is closed during inclement weather.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.