BAC Jet Provost, Old Warden 2007 ©Nigel Key
ROLE
Trainer.
FIRST FLIGHT
26 June 1954.
The Jet Provost was designed by Hunting Percival, based upon the Percival Provost, as a jet training aircraft.
The prototype 'XD674' was first flown on the 26th of June 1954 by Dick Wheldon resulting in an order for ten T1 aircraft by the Air Ministry.
A T2 development aircraft was produced which led to the Jet Provost T3 which was the main production batch for the RAF. The T3 was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Viper, a redesigned airframe, shortened and strengthened undercarriage and fitted with ejector seats.
The Jet Provost T4, which was fitted with a newer more powerful Viper A.S.V. 11 engine, first flew on the 15th July 1960 and was followed by a pressurised cabin version designated T5 making it first flight on the 28th February 1967.
The T51 was an armed version which was sold to Ceylon, Kuwait and Sudan, which was armed with two 0.303" machine guns.
PRODUCTION
The Hunting Percival Jet Provost was produced from 1958 to 1967, with 734 built.
ENGINE
Rolls Royce Viper Mk 102, producing 1750lb st.
ARMAMENT
2 x 0.303” machine guns
6 x 60 lb or 12 x 25 lb Rockets
4 x 540 lb Bombs
The Jet Provost T3 entered service with No. 2 Flying Training School based at RAF Syerston in June 1959.
The T3 was also operated by Central Flying School at RAF Little Rissington; the Royal Air Force College at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire; by No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire; 3FTS at RAF Leeming, Yorkshire; 6FTS at RAF Acklington, Northumberland; and 7FTS at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire.
The Jet Provost was withdrawn from RAF service during the early 1990s, having been replaced by the newer turboprop-powered Short Tucano.
Crew - 1 or 2 (side-by-side) |
Length - 33ft 7.5in (10.25m) |
Wingspan - 35ft 4in (10.77m) |
Height - 10ft 2in (3.10m) |
Empty Weight - 4,888lb (2,271kg) |
Max. Weight - 9,200lb (4,173kg) |
Max. Speed - 440 mph (708 km/h) |
Range - 901 miles (1,450 km) |