Short Tucano

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This article is about the plane. For other uses, see Toucan (disambiguation).
Tucano
Short Tucano of No. 72 Squadron RAF
Type Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer Short Brothers
Status Active
Primary users Royal Air Force
Kenya Air Force
Kuwait Air Force
Developed from EMB-312 Tucano

The Shorts Tucano T Mk 1 is a two seat turboprop basic trainer used by the RAF. It is also used by the Air Forces of Kenya and Kuwait.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

The Shorts Tucano was developed by the British Short Brothers company in order to meet a requirement to replace the Jet Provost as the basic trainer for the RAF, as laid down in Air Staff Target 412. It is an adaptation of the EMBRAER Tucano fitted with the more powerful 1100 shp Garrett turboprop engine in place of the Tucano's 750 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, to give higher performance, particularly at low level.

Aside from a different powerplant, the other differences between the Short Tucano and the EMBRAER Tucano are:

  • A strengthened airframe.
  • A new cockpit layout similar to the Hawk advanced trainer.
  • A four, as opposed to three, bladed propeller.
  • Ventral airbrake and restyled wingtips.
  • The fitting of Martin-Baker MB 8LC ejection seats for both crew.

The Tucano was selected in 1985 in preference to the Swiss Pilatus PC-9, the British Hunting Firecracker and the Australian Aircraft Consortium Wamira. The first Garrett engined Tucano flew in Brazil on 14 February 1986, with the first Shorts built production aircraft flying on 30 December 1986 [1] . The decision to replace the 750 PT-6 engine used in the standard EMBRAER model with the 1100shp Garrett engine and "bird-strike" proofing of the cockpit canopy to UK standards (combined with the fitting of Martin Baker ejection seats) caused a number of problems which delayed the introduction of the aircraft, so that it was 1989 by the time it came into service.

[edit] Operational history

In service the Tucano has proven to be 70% cheaper to operate than its predecessor. It has a greater range and endurance than the Jet Provost which allows it to fly two consecutive sorties before being refuelled.

[edit] Variants

Image:TucanoT1.jpg
Short Tucano T1 at RIAT 2005.
Tucano T1
Two-seat basic trainer for the RAF.
Tucano Mk.51
Export version for Kenya.
Tucano Mk.52
Export version for Kuwait.

[edit] Operators

Image:Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya
Image:Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait
Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Blackwater

[edit] Specifications (Tucano)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988-1989 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1-2
  • Length: 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m)
  • Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 1¾ in (3.40 m)
  • Wing area: 208 ft² (19.3 m²)
  • Empty weight: 4,447 lb (2,017 kg)
  • Loaded weight: lb (kg)
  • Useful load: lb (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 7,220 lb (3,275 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop, 1,100 shp (820 kW)

Performance

Armament

  • Provision for 1,000 lb (454 kg) of stores on four underwing hardpoints

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Taylor, JWR (Editor) (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988-1989. Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0 7106-0867-5. 

[edit] External links

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