With Belsimtek coming closer to the Early Access release for this Vietnam War era aircraft, I thought it could not hurt to have a look at a historical F-5e flight manual. This is the first one, I found and it comes from 1977.

Found a no-strings attached download link here:
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And while I am at it, I'll share this USAF tactical handbook from 1968:
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Thanks mate.

The tactical handbook is appears to be a little abstract (I am sure the units in the field, had more detailed SOPs) but is easy to follow and certainly has enough to go on to set up some Vietnam-era CAS procedures we can use in missions. In my spare time, I will have a go at drafting something. I am thinking of procedures for FAC/AFAC and CAS aircraft.

In terms of aircraft to do it with, the two limitations are:

- Lack of period aircraft or pre-Vietnam aircraft which can act as substitutes i.e. A-10s over Vietnam is a bit long in the tooth.

- For AFAC purposes, lack of aircraft with smoke rockets which according to the tactical guide is the best way to identify targets for CAS. F-86Fs and P-51Ds could be viable substitutes for CAS aircraft but they do not have smoke rockets.

Belsimtek’s F-5e (even if it is an E and not a A) ticks both boxes. The same can be said for the A-7e mod (once again even if it is a E and not a D), should we wish to resurrect it.

At present we are doing some more modern operations, but if/when we do some Vietnam-era missions again, it will not hurt to be prepared.

EDIT: Found this neat youtube clip too:

I have found a USAF manual which deals with weapons employment procedures and tactics for the F-5. I am yet to find a free pdf link for it:
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