AIRCRAFT # 4

HUNTING PERCIVAL P.56 PROVOST  T.1  WV606.

BASIC TRAINER.

Aircrew - two, Max speed - 200mph, Range - 648 miles, Service ceiling - 22, 500 feet, Loaded weight - 4,400 lbs, Span - 35 feet 2inch, Length - 28 feet 8 inches, Height - 12feet 2 1/2 inches, Armament - none, Power plant - Alvis Leonides 126 radial engine rated at 550hp.

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IA.58A PUCARA.

Named after a type of stone fortress built by early south Americans, the Pucara was designed to attack lightly - armed insurgents posing a potential threat to Argentines military government. However against a heavily - armed British force in the 1982 Falklands conflict, it was less than effective.

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AVRO LINCOLN BII BOMBER.

Just too late to see service during the second world war, the Lincoln became the mainstay of bomber command post - war, but was destined for a short front line career as the cold war and the jet age brought the shortcomings of its performance into sharp relief. 583 Lincolns were built to equip around twenty squadrons. The last Lincolns in service were those engaged in radar development trials with no 151 squadron, signals command until May 1963.

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JUNKERS JU52/3M  (transport ).

The Junkers JU52/3M was in its time, rivalled only by the Douglas Dakota as a transport aircraft. It was used by the airlines of thirty countries and several air forces. During the second world war the ju52 became the Luftwaffe's standard workhorse and was known affectionately as `Tante Ju` ( Auntie Ju ). Flown mainly as a transport, it also fulfilled air-ambulance and more unusually mine-clearance roles. For the latter it was fitted with a large metal hoop which could be energized by a motor to explode magnetic sea-mines.

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AUSTER T7 ANTARTIC.

The Auster T7 is a two-seat, dual control aircraft designed for the training of aircrew for the Auster AOP6 Artillery spotting and light communications aircraft, from which the T7 was developed. The type also found a role as a communications aircraft in support of Antarctic Expeditions during the 1950`s.

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HAWKER SIDDELEY FOLLAND GNAT  T1.  ( advanced trainer )

The Gnat provided advanced flying training for RAF fast jet pilots in the 1960`s and 1970`s. The Gnat first flew in August 1959 and the type entered service with central flying school in February 1962. Its aerobatic qualities led to the formation of the Yellow Jacks aerobatic team in 1964, leading to the foundation of the world-famous Red Arrows the following year. The team flew their red gnats for fourteen years until they were replaced by the British Aerospace Hawk at the end of the 1979 season.

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BRISTOL BRITANNIA 312  G-AOVF. (transport aircraft ).

Known as the whispering giant, the prototype was flown on 16th August 1952. The Royal Air Force used 23 as transports. Manufacturer - Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd. Dimensions - Span - 142feet 3 1/2inches. Length- 124feet 3inch. Height- 36feet 8inch. Wing area- 2075 sq feet. Gross weight- 185,000 lbs. Performance- Max cruising speed- 402mph. Range- 5,310miles. Service ceiling- 30,000feet. Power plant- four Bristol Siddeley Proteus 255 Turboprop engines.

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WESTLAND DRAGONFLY  HR3.

The dragonfly was a British built version of the American Sikorsky s-51. A total of 72 dragonflies served with the Royal Navy and 15 with the RAF. British European Airways (BEA ) used them for commercial operations. The RAF`s dragonflies served in the anti-terrorist operations in Malaya. Dragonflies of the Royal Navy were used extensively on aircraft carriers, standing guard to rescue the crews of aircrafts which crashed into the sea on take off or landing.

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WESTLAND WHIRLWIND  HAS.7  XM685  ( G- AYZJ ).

Anti - submarine warfare duties.

Aircrew- three. Max speed- 109mph. Range- 334 miles. Service ceiling- 9,400feet. Loaded weight- 7,800lbs. Rotor diameter-  53feet. Length- 41feet 8 1/2 inches. Height- 13feet 4inch. Armament- one homing torpedo. Power plant- one Alvis Leonides Major Radial engine rated at 750hp.

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ZUROWSKI  ZP.1   BAPC.183.

Designed and built by Eugene Zurowski at his home in Burton-On-Trent, Staffs, England. It took just over two years to complete. All the aluminium castings used in the construction were first made in wood by Eugene before he cast them. It is powered by an 850cc Panhard engine, and the helicopter was ground run by Eugene prior to his death in 1984. It has never flown.

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WESTLAND SIOUX  AH.1  XT200.

Light Utility Helicopter.

Aircrew- three.  Max speed- 105mph.  Range- 273miles.  Service ceiling- 16,000feet.  Loaded weight- 2,950lbs.  Rotor diameter- 37feet 1 1/2inches.  Length- 31feet 7inches.  Height- 9feet 7 1/2inches.  Armament-none.  Power plant- one Lycoming TVO - 435 - A1A engine, rated at 280hp.

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