Posted on 06/01/2004 12:01:30 AM PDT by SAMWolf
Well, now it's afternoon, eastern time. Sure is hot here!
Air Power |
Grandchild of the propeller-driven, taildragger "Hunting Percival Provost" training aircraft, and close sibling to the "Jet Provost" trainer, the two-seat, jet-propelled BAC 167 Strikemaster multi-role attack aircraft was deemed especially well-suited for advanced training, counterinsurgency, ground attack and reconnaissance functions.
A direct derivative of the "Jet Provost T Mk 5", the Strikemaster was modified with an uprated engine, wing hardpoints, a strengthened airframe, new communication and navigation gear, uprated ejection seats, a revised fuel system, and shortened landing gear.
Capable of operating from rough air strips, with dual ejection seats suitable even for low-altitude escape, it was widely used by the air forces of Botswana, Ecuador, Kenya, Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Yemen and Sudan, and saw combat in Ecuador, Oman and South Yemen during its service life.
In its combat configuration the Strikemaster was fitted with two .303 machine guns, each with 525 rounds of ammunition. With eight hardpoints, the wings could carry an external load of 3,000 lbs. of bombs, rockets or Napalm.
Of the 16 Strikemasters acquired by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1972, use of the aircraft was reduced from 1981 onward, after cracking was discovered in the main wing structures. Turbulence and high usage were given as the probable cause. Considering the necessary re-winging of the aircraft to be an unwarrantable expense, the RNZAF retired them in 1994, replacing them with the Aermacchi MB339-CB. Similar problems with the Strikemaster led the air force of Ecuador to ground their fleet of the aircraft for months at a time while causes were identified and corrected, where possible.
The last new Strikemasters were built in 1984. In all, 146 were sold. While few, if any, remain in active military service, many have been given new lives as refurbished "warbirds" in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. The side-by-side two-seater has a top speed of 518 mph and a maximum range of 1382 miles, making it an attractive sport aircraft for those who relish such performance
Specifications:
Manufacturer: British Aircraft Corporation (now British Aerospace)
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Type: Light attack warplane with advanced flying and armament training training capabilities
Crew: Two
Engine: One 3410-pound thrust Rolls-Royce Viper Mk 535 turbojet.
Number Built: 146
Number Still Airworthy: 15+
Internal Fuel: 439.5 US gal
Nicknames: Blunty (affectionate name within the Royal New Zealand Air Force)
Dimensions:
Weight: Empty 6,195 lbs., Max Takeoff 11,500 lbs.
Wing Span: 36ft. 10in.
Length: 34ft. 0in.
Height: 10ft. 2in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 518 mph
Range: 1,382 miles
Max climb: 5,300ft/min
Ceiling: 34,500ft
Armaments:
Two 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) FN machine guns,
Plus eight underwing hardpoints with up to 3,000 pounds of:
rockets, Napalm tanks,bombs, gun pods, reconnaissance pods, fuel tanks and/or gun cameras.
Years in damp darkness - Polish Jews qho lived underground.
Afternoon CT.
The Press didn't report to the American people all that was going on during the Cold War. It wuld have made their soulmates look bad.
Thanks for the link, Johnny. Incredible story.
LOL! Me too.
What is amazing is these are people who lived during those years and still they don't get it. Grrr.
Good afternoon ct.
Warming up here too, but not humid!
Wow, that was cool :-).
Thanks for the link Johnny. Great story of survival.
Hey! We've been ripped off!!
Came accross this on a slam John Kerry site:
A Special forces Democrat Veteran comments on John Kerry;
"John Kerry is capable of killing you 74 different ways in a single moment... using only his thumbs."
Public response:
"Yeah,...... but they all involve me laughing myself to death"
Bunch of Castro worshippers. the last Communist hope left for them.
I'm gonna choke on my own puke from listening to him.
I can see 'em. I had to put the url in my browser to get them. Cool.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.