Morning Patrol
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:47 amEarly morning patrol south out of Nelson:
Built by British Aerospace, the BAC Strikemaster 167 was developed in 1970 as a ground attack aircraft. The Strikemaster was based on the Jet Provost series, originally a piston-engine, propeller-powered aircraft. Later, the design transitioned to a Rolls-Royce "Viper" jet engine and a tricycle gear. The airframe was strengthened several times as the airframe continued to be developed as the Jet Provost, the BAC 145, and eventually the BAC 167. In the BAC 167 design, the reinforcement made the aircraft virtually unbreakable in tactical use in under the harshest employments.
The airframe was originally designed as a trainer and in 1955, the RAF commissioned the "Jet Provost" as a basic to advanced pilot trainer. In progressive upgrades, it eventually developed into an armed platform as an export model--the BAC 167 attack version. The Strikemaster was widely employed as an attack aircraft in many countries including: Botswana, Kenya, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.
Built by British Aerospace, the BAC Strikemaster 167 was developed in 1970 as a ground attack aircraft. The Strikemaster was based on the Jet Provost series, originally a piston-engine, propeller-powered aircraft. Later, the design transitioned to a Rolls-Royce "Viper" jet engine and a tricycle gear. The airframe was strengthened several times as the airframe continued to be developed as the Jet Provost, the BAC 145, and eventually the BAC 167. In the BAC 167 design, the reinforcement made the aircraft virtually unbreakable in tactical use in under the harshest employments.
The airframe was originally designed as a trainer and in 1955, the RAF commissioned the "Jet Provost" as a basic to advanced pilot trainer. In progressive upgrades, it eventually developed into an armed platform as an export model--the BAC 167 attack version. The Strikemaster was widely employed as an attack aircraft in many countries including: Botswana, Kenya, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.