Spanish F-5s
Base-visits Ala 23 Talavera la Real and Ala 21 Moron de la Frontera
Talavera la Real
Visits: 18 September 1989 ◆ June 2002 ◆ May 2004
Moron de la Frontera
Visit: 28 September 1989
F-5 bases
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Mainland Spain
F-5 units
Talavera la Real AB
Ala 73
1971-1987
(became Ala 23)
Escuadron 731
"Patas negras"
(Black legs)
1971-1987
(became Esc. 231)
Escuadron 732
"Patas negras" (Black legs)
1971-1987
(became Esc. 232)
Ala 23
(former Ala 73)
" Pata Negras"
since 1987
Escuadron 231
(former Esc. 731)
Escuadron 232
(former Esc. 732)
Moron de la Frontera AB
Escuadron 202
"Gallo se mueve" (Cockerel really moves)
1969-1971
(became Esc. 211)
Escuadron 204
"Vade, vide et vice" (Go, look and win)
1970-1971
(became Esc. 212)
Ala 21
1971-1992
Escuadron 211
(former Esc. 202)
"Gallo" (Cock)
1971- 1992
In 1992 their F-5s moved to Ala 23.
Escuadron 212
(former Esc. 204)
"Sison"
1971- 1976
Escuadron 212
(former Esc. 204)
"Sison"
1982- 1992
Las Palmas-Gando
Ala 46
1976-1982
Escuadron 464
(with traditions of Esc. 462)
1976-1982
F-5 photos - different versions
The first built CASA/Northrop SF-5B CE.9-001/211-1 seen at Torrejon AB on 28 May 1979. Photo ©Unknown/Collection Jack Bosma.
The reconnaissance version of the F-5 is the SRF-5A. AR.9-069/23-31 on the flight-line of Talavera AB. Photo ©Unknown/Collection Volkert Jan van den Berg.
A welcome visiter at the Open House of Volkel AB in The Netherlands was SF-5M 23-04/AE0-010, photographed on 17 July 2007.
Photo ©Volkert Jan van den Berg.
On the flight-line of Moron AB in May 1989 SF-5B AE.9-019/21-73.
Photo ©M.Fournier/Collection Jack Bosma.
This beautiful air to air shot of SF-5B AE.9-018/23-26 was made in May 2004.
Photo ©Bob Archer.
On final at Talavera AB is SF-5B AE.9-022/731-22.
Photo ©Unknown/Collection Ton van Schaik.
Photographed in September 1986 SF-5B AE.9-016/732-16.
Photo ©Bob Archer.
Metal reconnaissance version SRF-5A AR.9-070/211-70 was present during the open house of Ramstein AB in July 1980.
Photo ©Unknown/Collection Jack Bosma.
In connection with the 50th Anniversary of Ala 23 SRF-5A AR.9-070/23-33 was painted in a special 1953-2003 scheme. Both photos were taken on 31 March 2003.
Photos ©Bob Archer.
SRF-5A CR.9-064/464-64 from Esc. 464 photographed in November 1979. Photo ©Unknown/Collection Jack Bosma.
SF-5B 23-12/AE.9-022 photographed during a base-visit at Talavera AB on 18 September 1989. Photo ©Volkert Jan van dn Berg.
Nice air to air picture of SF-5A A.9-052/21-12 in focus in April 1989. Photo ©Bob Archer.
Many thanks for providing excellent information. Source: http://www.the-northrop-f-5-enthusiast-page.info/AirForces/SpainAFUnits.html
We thank the Cuartel General del Ejército del Aire for their great support to make these visits possible. The hospitality at Talavera la Real and Moron de la Frontera was great. We have forgotten the names of all the persons who have helped us with all our wishes, everything was possible and done very friendly.
The authors: Marinus Dirk Tabak, Volkert Jan van den Berg and Jack Bosma.