In August 1997 the ROCAF began to receive their single-seat RF-5Es to replace the aging RF-104G. Seven low-hour F-5E's were converted by Singapore Aerospace and given the name Tigergazer. To accomplish this, existing radar and one M39 cannon were removed and the nose extended 8 inches. Six openings were added for the new cameras and ballast added between the engine exhausts to balance the additional weight of the new nose. RF- 5E 5501 serial 83-0085 and formerly F-5E 5315 was assigned to 401st TFW, 12th TRS Tigergazer at Hualien Airbase. On July 1, 1998 401st CW relocated to Hualien and Taoyuan Air Base Command was established at Taoyuan and took control of the 8th TFG. The 4th TRS was activated under the control of the 8th TFG and took over the RF-5Es at Taoyuan.
The Northrop F-5 tactical fighter was designed as an extremely maneuverable, supersonic fighter with a high rate of reliability at a low operating cost. The F-5 first flew on July 30, 1959 with the first customer delivery in 1964. The last of more than 2,600 F-5's was produced in 1989 and about two-thirds of these are still in service with 26 countries more than 4 decades later. The F-5 was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and under license in Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland.