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One of the Greatest Fighters that Never Was- F-20 Tigershark

Originally concieved as an improved F-5 Tiger, the F-20 Tigershark was a Northrup product intended for sales to overseas customers. Replacing the twin J85 turbojets of the F-5 with the F404 turbofan engine, the F-20 was a real hotrod. Unfortunately, it was also about the same time that our NATO allies jumped whole hog into…

Originally concieved as an improved F-5 Tiger, the F-20 Tigershark was a Northrup product intended for sales to overseas customers. Replacing the twin J85 turbojets of the F-5 with the F404 turbofan engine, the F-20 was a real hotrod.

Unfortunately, it was also about the same time that our NATO allies jumped whole hog into production of the F-16, coupled with sales of French and other fighters. The market timing was off, and the Tigershark never went into serial production.

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  1. Bill Brandt

    I remember the pictures of Chuck Yeager flying it

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  2. Tarl

    The problem, of course, was that a huge selling point for overseas customers was “the USAF uses it”.

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  3. SFC Dunlap 173d RVN

    I’m betting the F-20 was a bit cheaper than the F-16’s at that time as well. The back end of that thing reminded me of looking into the aft end of an F-104.

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  4. JoshO

    Such a cool little jet

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