Alconbury Aggressors

Jan van Waarde

Five F-5Es wait patiently while having their safety pins pulled at the end of the taxi-track at RAF Alconbury. In front is F-5E 74-1532, behind it is 74-1547. 32 carries the camouage known as Ghost. (USAF photo SSgt David Nolan) During the heyday of USAFE, it consisted of dozens of ghter squadrons and perhaps the most colourful of these were the Aggressor F-5Es of 527th TFTAS based at RAF Alconbury in the UK, and they are the stars of this article. The story of the Aggressors starts during the long and costly war in Vietnam, when the kill ratios for US aircraft were far inferior to that experienced in Korea. A study, the Ault report, showed that these ratios could be improved using new training techniques. At the time, it was common among US ghter units to mingle with similar aircraft types only, and safety issues precluded ying large air-toair battles. According to the study, a dedicated air-to-air training unit could alleviate some of the problems encountered. The US Navy was the rst to implement these ndings and they implemented an ACM (Air Combat Maneuvring) program in the training syllabus of VF-121, the Phantom training unit. This evolved into the highly successful Top Gun program and caught the attention of the USAF, who decided to start a similar program at Nellis AFB and this was later expanded to additional aggressor squadrons at Clark AB and RAF Alconbury. The main aim of the program was to improve the air-to-air skills of the pilot by both academic and ying instruction, learning about the tactics of Soviet ghter units. The aggressor pilots would draw the students into a ght and teach them the best way to ght a way out. Although the Nellis units initially used some T-38As, these were replaced by F-5Es that had originally been built for the South Vietnamese AF. The aggressor unit at Alconbury was formed on 1 April 1976 as the 527th Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor Squadron, TFTAS for short. It was assigned to 10th TRW, which had a single squadron of RF-4Cs, 1st TRS, also at Alconbury. The main customers of the 527th were envisaged to be the F-15s of USAFE, which were about to be introduced to service - the rst examples arrived at Bitburg in January 1977. The rst eight F-5Es were own in to Alconbury on board three C-5As on 21 May 1976; the last four arrived on 24 June to give the unit its full complement of 20 aircraft. The aircraft carried a variety of colour schemes upon delivery and most were repainted once or twice during their stay at Alconbury. The names of the colour schemes given in the rest of the article are as quoted by the USAF. Following initial training, the squadron received the rst students, a group of F-4Cs from 401st TFW, Torrejon AB, on 10 October 1976. After completing the short course, they were replaced by 36 TFW F-15s on 17 October. What followed was a steady stream of clients for the unit at RAF Alconbury, but they also took the show on the road and visited other airelds throughout Europe; the rst recorded occasion was a monthlong deployment to RAF Leuchars on 31 October 1976, ying missions against RAF Phantom FG.1s. Back home at Alconbury, 36th TFW established a near-permanent presence with a small number of Eagles in the late 1970s, but otherwise the 527th continued to entertain various aircraft from different air forces and units until the late 1980s. An overseas commitment for the unit started when the ACMI range over the Mediterranean off Sardinia was completed in September 1979. The squadron established a near-permanent detachment at Decimomannu AB on 1 October 1979, and usually about six aircraft were deployed to the base at a given time. On 15 April 1983, the squadron was redesignated 527th AS (Aggressor Squadron) but the units F-5Es were retired in 1988, with the nal mission own on 22 June. A number of F-5Es were transferred to the US Navy, the rest was placed in storage at RAF Kemble. The squadron ofcially moved to RAF Bentwaters on 14 July 1988, and started converting to F-16Cs. However, in 1989 the USAF aggressor program was discontinued due to budget cuts, only to be revived in 2003. 527th AS was ofcially inactivated on 30 September 1990. Over the next few pages a photograph of each of the units 24 F-5Es is presented, with short details on colour schemes, delivery dates and so on.

Pictured just a few weeks after its arrival at Alconbury, F-5E 74-1550 still did not have any markings applied when this photograph was taken. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1532 - (R.1190) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976. It initially carried the Grape colour scheme (see 33) but this had been changed to New Blue by the time this photograph was taken. By 1987 this had been replaced by the New Grey scheme - see photo previous page. Remained active until placed in storage at RAF Kemble by July 1988. Eventually sold to Tunisian AF as Y92-517. First noted in full markings on 24 May 1989 and delivered to Tunisia on 8 June 1989. The photo shows 74-1532 at Ramstein on 3 December 1983. (Scott R Wilson) 74-1533 - (R.1191 ) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976 in the Grape colour scheme as shown on the photograph. The aircraft was lost in a crash on approach to Spangdahlem AB in West Germany on 2 June 1979. Although the USAF did not want it any more, the US Navy was happy to take over the wreck and repair it, and it entered Navy service as 162307 in 1982, remaining active until 2007. The photo was taken at RAF Alconbury on 23 March 1978. (Robin A Walker) 74-1534 - (R.1192) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976 in the Grape colour scheme. On the photograph, dated June 1979, a 10th TRW badge is carried on the taik n. Later, the aircraft also carried the New Blue and Ghost colour schemes until it was lost on 19 October 1987. It collided with F-16C 85-1463 of 86th TFW during DACT near Lebach, Saarland, West Germany. The pilot ejected safely. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1535 - (R.1193) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976 in the Grape colour scheme, but by 1985 the New Bluescheme had been applied. It remained active until placed in storage at RAF Kemble by May 1988. It was sold to the Tunisian AF as Y92-519. First noted in full Tunisian markings on 24 May 1989 and delivered to Tunisia on 8 June 1989. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1542 - (R.1200) Delivered to 527th TFTAS on 21 May 1976. It initially carried the Ghost colour scheme, as shown on the photograph, but this was changed to New Blue (see 32) in the early 1980s. Initially, all F-5Es, including this one, had the last two digits of the serial repeated on the nose in black, outlined in yellow. 74-1542 was lost on 15 January 1986 near Ramstein AB, West Germany. The pilot ejected safely. The photograph was taken at Ramstein on 12 July 1979. (Dick Wels)

74-1543 - (R.1201) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976. It initially carried the Ghost colour scheme (see 42), but by 1983 this had been replaced by a light grey colour scheme, as seen on the photograph, which was taken at Decimomannu on 24 October 1985. The nose numbers were painted in a pale blue, outlined in black. Additionally, the star & bar and US Air Force legend appeared in dotted outlines only. The aircraft entered storage at RAF Kemble in May 1988 and was sold to the Moroccan AF as 01543, being delivered via Zaragoza on 24 February 1990. (Scott R Wilson) 74-1544 - (R.1202) Delivered to 527th TFTAS on 21 May 1976. It initially carried the Ghost colour scheme, as seen on the photograph. By 1983 it had been repainted in the New Grey scheme (see 68) and by 1985 the aircraft carried the grey scheme of 43 above, but with a red nose number, outlined in yellow. The aircraft was transferred to the US Navy and departed Alconbury on 22 July 1988. It was nally retired in 2006. The photograph was taken at RAF Alconbury in July 1979. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1545 - (R.1203) Delivered to the unit on 21 May 1976. It initially carried the Ghost colour scheme, as seen on the photograph. By 1983 it had received the New Grey scheme (see 68).The aircraft was transferred to the US Navy and departed Alconbury on 22 July 1988. It was retired in 2007. The photograph was taken at RAF Alconbury in August 1981. The taxitrack at Alconbury was a truly epic place for taking photographs! (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1547 - (R.1205) Delivered to Alconbury on 14 June 1976. The aircraft was delivered in the silver colour scheme (see 48) with a red number 47 on the nose outlined in yellow. The aircraft remained silver, although the hue of the silver changed and weathered over the years, changing to a medium grey, and the solid lettering (see 48) changed to the outlines only as seen on this photograph of 47 taken at Soesterberg on 6 August 1984. The aircraft was transferred to the US Navy, departing Alconbury on 22 July 1988. (Rob Scheffers) 74-1548 - (R.1206) Delivered to 527th TFTAS on 14 June 1976 and carried an all-silver colour scheme as shown on the right. This aircraft was lost in a crash near Jever, West Germany, on 17 March 1982. This photograph was taken at the old spotters spot at Soesterberg, in April 1979. (Hans Drost)

74-1549 - (R.1207) Delivered to the unit on 14 June 1976. It carried the silver/grey scheme as carried by 47 (which see). The aircraft was placed in store at RAF Alconbury in July 1988, but moved to RAF Kemble on 9 September 1988. It was eventually sold to the Moroccan AF as 01549, being delivered (via Zaragoza) on 24 February 1990. The photo shows 01549 at Zaragoza at an earlier date, on 29 July 1983. The centreline pylon carries stickers of the units visited by the aggressors. It was rare to see an F-5E with centreline tank in place. (Scott R Wilson) 74-1550 - (R.1208) Delivered to Alconbury on 14 June 1976. It carried the silver scheme as shown in the photograph, which was taken at the open house at Ramstein on 30 July 1978. Note the VA-46 A-7E in the background. Aggressor F5Es were irregular visitors to air shows and attended just about half a dozen shows annually, providing aircraft for static show only. 01550 was lost on 25 January 1982, when it lost control during an ACM mission over the Mediterranean off Decimomannu, Sardinia. (Jan van Waarde collection)

74-1551 - (R.1209) Delivered to the unit on 14 June 1976. It carried the Snake colour scheme as shown in the photograph, which was taken at Soesterberg in apr79 (note the Fokker Troopships in the background), where F-5s of the unit were regular visitors. It had been repainted in a European adaptation of the Sand colour scheme by 1983 (see 56). The aircraft was placed in storage at RAF Kemble in May 1988 and was sold to the Moroccan AF as 01551, being delivered on 19 October 1989. (Henk de Ridder)

74-1552 - (R.1210) Delivered to the unit on 14 June 1976. It carried the Snake colour scheme. The photograph on the right was taken at RAF Alconbury in July 1976, shortly after delivery to Alconbury, and the nose numbers had not yet been applied. This aircraft was lost in a crash in the North Sea off Denmark on 22 August 1978. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1553 - (R.1211) Delivered to Alconbury on 14 June 1976. It carried the Snake colour scheme, as seen on the right. This was later replaced by the green version of the Sand colour scheme (see 56). When the F-5Es were withdrawn, 741553 was placed in storage at RAF Kemble in May 1988. After a period of storage, the aircraft was sold to Morocco as 01553. It was delivered to the country on 26 July 1990. (Patrick Roegies collection)

74-1554 - (R.1212) Delivered to Alconbury on 14 June 1976. It initially carried the Snake colour scheme, but by 1985 this had been changed to a two-tone grey scheme, as seen on the right. Note the toneddown 10th TRW badge in front of the intake, a rare case of an F-5 carrying unit markings. 74-1554 was damaged in a landing accident at Torrejon AB, Spain, on 16 April 1982, but repairs were completed in the summer of 1983. This F-5E was transferred to the US Navy, departing Alconbury on 22 July 1988. The photograph was taken at Alconbury on 23 May 1986. (Stephan de Bruijn)

74-1555 - (R.1215) Delivered to Alconbury on 24 June 1976, and carried the Old Lizard colour scheme (see 59). Had been ying missions for a few months only when it was involved in a crash at RAF Alconbury on 29 December 1976. Upon landing, the aircrafts nose gear collapsed and it slid down the runway, breaking its back in the process. It was noted stored in a corner of the aireld, under a tarpaulin, in September 1977 (see photograph) and was eventually transported back to the USA, but never repaired. (Robin A Walker) 74-1556 - (R.1216) Delivered to Alconbury on 24 June 1976, and carried the Old Lizard colour scheme (see 59). By 1983 this had been changed to a European version of the Sand scheme used at Nellis, where one of the browns had been replaced by a green (the medium grey in the photo, which was taken at Zaragoza on 29 July 1983). By 1986 the aircraft had been repainted in the Snake scheme (see 51). 74-1556 was transferred to the US Navy, departing Alconbury on 22 July 1988. It was nally retired by the Navy in 2005. (Scott R Wilson) 74-1559 - (R.1230) Delivered to the unit on 24 June 1976, and carried the Old Lizard colour scheme, as seen on this pleasing photograph, which was taken at Soesterberg on 15 November 1978. By 1983, the aircraft had been repainted in the light grey scheme (see 43), and by 1986 it had changed to a two-tone grey scheme (see 54). In July 1988 the aircraft was placed in storage at Alconbury, but was own to RAF Kemble on 8 September 1988 for a further period of storage. The aircraft was delivered to the Tunisian AF as Y92-521 on 23 August 1989. (Dick Wels) 74-1560 - (R.1231) Delivered to Alconbury on 24 June 1976, in the Old Lizard colour scheme (see 59). By 1983 it had been repainted in the grey scheme on the right, with a pale blue code on the nose, outlined in black. By 1986 the code had become red, outlined in yellow. In July 1988 74-1560 was stored at Alconbury, but moved to RAF Kemble on 8 September 1988. It was delivered to Morocco as 01560 on 19 October 1989. The photo was taken at RAF Bentwaters on 7 July 1983. (Jan van Waarde)

74-1563 - (R.1245) Formerly with 57th FWW, 63 was delivered to Alconbury as an attrition replacement on 4 May 1977, and carried the Old Lizard colour scheme. Initially the code on the nose was smaller and red (like on the F-5s at Nellis), but this was soon changed to a black code, outlined in yellow, as on this photograph, taken at Alconbury. It was later repainted in the grey colour scheme (see 60), but with a red code outlined in yellow. The aircraft was transferred to the US Navy, departing Alconbury on 22 July 1988. (Roel Reijne collection) 74-1566 - (R.1254) Formerly with 57th FWW, 74-1566 was delivered to Alconbury as an attrition replacement on 23 September 1983. It was initially painted in the Snake colour scheme, but this was changed to the three-tone grey as sown in the photograph, which was taken at Soesterberg during a squadron detachment with 32nd TFS. Although initially stored at Alconbury (from July 1988), it was own to RAF Kemble on 7 September 1988 and was eventually sold to Tunisia as Y92-523, being delivered on 23 August 1989. (Roel Reijne)

74-1568 - (R.1261) Formerly with the 57th FWW, 68 was delivered to Alconbury as an attrition replacement, on 23 September 1983. he aircraft ew with the unit for less than ve years; it was transferred to the US Navy and departed Alconbury on 22 July 1988. It was nally retired in 2003. The photo on the right shows the aircraft in the static show at Mildenhall on 23 May 1987. Note the markings, which have been applied in a dotted outline only. (Jan van Waarde)

74-1569 - (R.1262) Another former 57th FWW aircraft, 741569 was delivered to Alconbury as an attrition replacement on 29 March 1982. It carried the silver-grey nish as shown on the right, with a red code outlined in yellow, during its entire stay at Alconbury. In May 1988, the aircraft was own to RAF Kemble for storage, from where the aircraft was delivered to Morocco as 01569 on 8 April 1992, having spent four years in storage. The photo shows 74-1554 and 741569 in ight, somewhere over the UK, in 1987. (USAF photo SSgt Fernando Serna)