RTAF-5

Last updated
RTAF-5
RTAF-5 (7880743608).jpg
Role Trainer/forward air controller aircraft
National origin Thailand
Manufacturer Royal Thai Air Force
First flight5 October 1984
StatusPrototype
Number built1

The RTAF-5 was a Thai training and forward air control aircraft developed and built by the Science and Weapon Systems Development Centre of the Royal Thai Air Force in the 1980s. It was a twin-boom configuration aircraft powered by a single pusher turboprop engine, but only a single example was built.

Contents

Development and design

In 1976, the Science and Weapon Systems Development Centre of the Royal Thai Air Force, based at Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok, started development of a trainer/forward air control aircraft, the RTAF-5. It was a single-engined high-wing monoplane of all-metal construction with twin booms, and with a fuselage resembling that of an OV-10 Bronco, but powered by a single Allison 250 turboprop engine at the rear of the fuselage. It had a retractable nosewheel undercarriage and had four underwing hardpoints, with wingtip fuel tanks. [1] [2]

The prototype first flew on 5 October 1984, with the undercarriage fixed for early testing. [1] Development was delayed by the license production of RFB Fantrainers by the RTAF, and was eventually abandoned, only the single prototype (which is preserved at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum [3] ) being flown, with a second example being used for static testing. [4]

Specifications

Data fromAir International February 1986 [1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Air International February 1986, p.103.
  2. Flight International, 1 August 1987, p.63.
  3. "Royal Thai Air Force Museum:Building 1 Archived 2013-10-26 at the Wayback Machine ". Royal Thai Air Force. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  4. Forsgren,Jan. "Aircraft Production In Thailand". Aeroflight. 20 November 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
Bibliography