Historical:

Swiss Air Force Squadron (Fliegerstaffel) 8 “Vandalos” was formed in 1925. In 1993 Staffel 8 received the first F-5E. All Swiss squadrons are militia units and don’t have specific aircraft assigned to them so they draw from a pool of aircraft. J-3073 is unique for Staffel 8 because in March 2017 this aircraft received a special squadron-related paint scheme on the vertical stabilizer. In the scheme is the red sawfish “Vandalo”, numerous 8’s and “ADIO VANDALO”, “Good Bye Vandalo” because like Staffel 6 and 19, Staffel 8 F-5E’s future is uncertain.

The Northrop 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 Northrop 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 by Northrop 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. Though the USAF had no acknowledged need for a light fighter, it did procure roughly 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.

Info: F-5E Tiger II Swiss Air Force 8 Staffel, #J-3073, Switzerland