Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Northrop F-5 "Tiger II"

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

1. Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" Marker

Inscription. The Hickory Aviation Museum's F-5E Bureau Number 141540 is on loan from the National Museum of Aviation. It arrived in January of 2008. There is at least one local Hickory resident that flew her.

Role Light Fighter
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Northrup Corporation
First flight F-5A: 30 Jul 1959 • F-5E: 11 Aug 1972
Introduction 1962
Status In Service
Primary users United States Navy • Republic of China • Republic of Korea • Islamic Republic of Iran
Produced 1959-1987
Number built 2,246 (FS-A thru E Variants)
Propulsion 2 x GE J85-GE-218 turbojet • P408A turbojet
Unit cost ~$2.1M (F-5E)
Developed from Northrop T-38 Talon
Developed into Northrop F-20 Tigershark

The Northrup F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II are part of a supersonic light fighter family, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrup Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program

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by Northrup in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for the day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies.

General characteristics
Crew:
1 Length: 47 ft 4.75 in (14.45 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.08 m)
Wing area: 186 ft (17.28 m²)
Empty weight: 9,588 lb (4,349 kg)
Loaded weight: 15,745 lb (7,157 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 24,722 lb (11,214 kg)
Dry Thrust: 3,500 lbf (15.5 kN) each
Thrust with afterburner: 5,000 lbf each
Internal fuel: 677 U.S. gal, Ext: 275 gal x 3 tanks

Performance
Maximum speed: 917 kn (Mach 1.6, 1,060 mph, 1,700 km.h); at altitude
Range: 760 nmi (870 mi, 1,405 km) Ferry range: 2,010 nmi (2,310 ml, 3,700 km)
Service ceiling: 51,800 ft (15,800 m)
Guns: 2 x 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannons in the nose, 280 rounds/gun
Hardpoints: 7 total. Missiles/Bombs/Other: Air-to-air missiles, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AMRAAM, MK80, Rockets, Walleye, Maverick, Napalm and Unguided munitions, Fuel

Erected by Hickory

Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" Nose and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

2. Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" Nose and Marker

Aviation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1959.

Location. 35° 44.479′ N, 81° 23.361′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles west of 24th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The marker and aircraft display are part of the Hickory Aviation Museum located at Hickory Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 9th Ave Dr NW, Hickory NC 28601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" side view and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

3. Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" side view and marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 "Corsair" II (here, next to this marker); Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" (a few steps from this marker); North American FJ-3 "Fury" (a few steps from this marker); Grumann F-9 "Cougar" (a few steps from this marker); Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" (a few steps from this marker); Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" (within shouting distance of this marker); Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" Tail Section image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

4. Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" Tail Section

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.