40 years of Brazilian Air Force Northrop F-5 operations...

[Stratofreighter]

Anyone happen to know whether a "special tail" or even a "special scheme" was unveiled somewhere

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... tions.html

FAB Marks 40 Years of the Reception of the First F-5 Fighters

(Source: Brazilian air force; issued Feb 27, 2015)

On Saturday Feb 28, the Brazilian air force (FAB) marked 40 years since the delivery of the first Northrop F-5 fighters in Palmdale, in the United States,
where it was manufactured.

The first three aircraft, intended for training pilots,
actually arrived in Brazil in March 1975 at Belém Air Base, and were subsequently moved to Galeao Air Base.

With two jet engines and capable of speeds of up to 1316 km / h,
the arrival of the fighters represented a breakthrough for the air defense of the country, bringing the feasibility of performing missions such as interception, combat air patrol and escort,
reconnaissance and assistance in flight.

Currently, aircraft have flown almost 285,000 flight hours in FAB service.

The Brazilian federal government in 1975 purchased 42 F-5 fighters.

The transfer of US aircraft to Brazil was performed by FAB military supported by a C-130 Hercules in an operation called “Tiger.”

Over those 40 years, the F-5 participated in several missions in support of the country's security, such as the Falklands War,
when British planes (Vulcan Black Buck Shrike-raid diversion to Rio) were intercepted by Brazilian fighters and forced to land.

During the World Cup in 2014,
the aircraft were also used for the defense of the airspace and strategic points in the host cities.

Modernization

With the retirement of the Mirage in 2013, the F-5 became the main aircraft for air defense of the Brazilian airspace.

For this to be possible, the F-5 went through a process of modernization,
starting in 2006 and completed in 2013, which included the replacement of the radar and of aircraft systems and weapons.

The aircraft now has as standard equipment as an aim sensor coupled to the helmet, which can be used to guide the missiles with the movement of the driver's head.

Today, modernized F-5 are currently in service in four FAB squadrons:

the Pampa, based in Canoas (RS);
the Pacau, based in Manaus (AM);
and the the Pif Paf and Jambock squadrons, both based in Santa Cruz (RJ).