BAC Strikemaster Overview
13:30 to 14:00 BAC Strikemaster
The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a British jet-powered training and light attack aircraft. It was a development of the Hunting Jet Provost trainer, itself a jet engined version of the Percival Provost, which originally flew in 1950 with a radial piston engine. Contents The BAC 167 Strikemaster is essentially an armed version of the Jet Provost T Mk 5; the Strikemaster was modified with an up-rated engine, wing hardpoints, a strengthened airframe, new communication and navigation gear, up-rated ejection seats, a revised fuel system, and shortened landing gear. First flown in 1967, the aircraft was marketed as a light attack or counter-insurgency aircraft, but most large-scale purchasers were air forces wanting an advanced trainer although Ecuador, Oman and Yemen have used their aircraft in combat. A total of 146 were built.
Quick Facts
- Maximum Speed: 518 mph (834kmh; 450 kts)
- Maximum Range: 1,382 miles (2,224km)
- Service Ceiling: 40,026 ft (12,200 m; 7.6 miles)
- Rate-of-Climb: 5,250 feet-per-minute (1,600 m/min)
- Armament Standard
- 2 x 7.62mm FN internal machine guns
- Armament Optional
- Up to 3,000lbs of external ordnance across four underwing hardpoints. To include air-to-surface rocket pods (unguided), conventional drop bombs, napalm bombs, machine gun pods and fuel drop tanks.
- Role: Attack aircraft
- Manufacturer: British Aircraft Corporation
- First flight: 26 October 1967
- Status: In service with Ecuador although many in museums and private collections.
- Primary users: Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Kenya Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Air Force of Oman
- Produced: 1967-1984
- Number built: 146
- Developed from: BAC Jet Provost