Northrop Grumman's F-5 tactical fighter has become one of the most enduring military aircraft designs ever developed. Going back to its first flight in the 1960s, the Freedom Fighter has been going strong for over 50 decades thanks to the company's initial objective of developing a cost-effective aircraft that was easy to operate and inexpensive to maintain. The F-5 has also earned a reputation for being a highly maneuverable and reliable supersonic fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. During the Vietnam War, a squadron of F-5s known as the Little Tigers proved their worth as a close air support platform that decimated the enemy whenever they were called to action. The combat test was so successful that the F-5 instantly gained significant international attention and sold to more than 20 countries. In 1975, even the Soviet Union got a chance to test the F-5 against their Mig-21 with surprising results… --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.