Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) F-5A or F-5E

[PreservedAC]

ref : UK airshow forum
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/posting.ph ... 66#preview

I've uploaded in 2010 a snapshot of the F-5 fighter in the garden of the Vietnam Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
We didn't visit the palace as it was already closed for the day.
The snapshot is taken from outside the fence.

The photo is tagged with Northrop F-5E Tiger II 73-1638 marked "01638" (like most - if not All- sites refer)

But last week I was pointed out it is actually a F-5A (see the comments on the photopage)

As it appears ,the fighter looks indeed a F-5A Freedom Fighter
The shape of the air intake differs from a F-5E Tiger

F-5E Tiger, 73-1638 (South Vietnam AF)

Bob Ogdens book World Aviation Museum claims F-5E 73-1638 at Da nang AB marked '7579'
The book has no reference to a "noted" date\year and I couldn't find photos of it either.
According the book ,the F-5E at the Palace would be 73-1368

Sofar, it appears that this a F-5A Freedom Fighter ,painted with a F-5E serial.
Any additional information regarding this F-5 airframe in Ho Chi Minh City would be appreciated.



The photo is part of a set Vietnam War Museums
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pvdac/sets ... 763857487/

Johan

[p51]

Neat they have her painted as a AFRVN bird and not a USAF one. I've seen photos of a few memorials and museums in Vietnam where equipment that was obvious ARVN painted instead with overly large, "UNITED STATES" markings...

[gary1954]

Neat they have her painted as a AFRVN bird and not a USAF one. I've seen photos of a few memorials and museums in Vietnam where equipment that was obvious ARVN painted instead with overly large, "UNITED STATES" markings...

I dunno there Vern... ...looks like she's gotta star en Bar there on the intake...could be one of them miragee things though

[bombadier29]

Neat they have her painted as a AFRVN bird and not a USAF one. I've seen photos of a few memorials and museums in Vietnam where equipment that was obvious ARVN painted instead with overly large, "UNITED STATES" markings...

I dunno there Vern... ...looks like she's gotta star en Bar there on the intake...could be one of them miragee things though

Its a South Vietnam star and bar.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

That's their insignia--red in place of the blue, yellow in place of the white.