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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.
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