The BAC Jet Provost (originally built by Hunting Percival) was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also a successful export product, serving in many air forces worldwide.

Design and development

In the 1950s the RAF issued a requirement for a new dedicated jet training aircraft. Hunting developed the Jet Provost from the piston-engined Percival Provost basic trainer. On 26 June 1954, the prototype made its first flight, flown by Dick Wheldon. The Air Ministry ordered ten of the Jet Provost T1, and in June 1957, 40 of the Jet Provost T3, featuring a new Armstrong Siddeley Viper jet engine, ejector seats, a redesign of the airframe, and a strengthened, retractable tricycle undercarriage. Percival built one example used purely for structural tests throughout the development stages, giving the designers valuable research into what could be achieved with the basic design. In total, 201 T3s were delivered between 1958 and 1962.

The T4 followed in 1961 with a new engine, and then the pressurised T5 in 1967.

The T51 was an armed export version which was sold to Ceylon , Kuwait and Sudan. Armed with two 7.7-mm (0.303-inch) machine guns. The T52 was another armed export version sold to Iraq, South Yemen, Sudan and Venezuela. It had the same armament as the T51. The T55 was the final armed export version which was sold to Sudan.

An armed variant of the airframe was developed as the BAC Strikemaster.

Operational service

The Jet Provost proved to be a capable trainer; after successful acceptance trials of the T.1, the RAF formally accepted the type in 1957. The definitive T.4 and T.5 variants with the more powerful Vipers fitted, had extra thrust available, and that encouraged the RAF to utilise the Jet Provost in a number of different roles besides basic training. With a top speed of 440 mph, excellent maneuverability, mechanical reliability and low operating costs, the Jet Provost was utilized as an aerobatic aircraft, air warfare and tactical weapons training as well as advanced training.

Besides service with the RAF, the Jet Provost found success as an export product. Jet Provosts were withdrawn from RAF service in the early 1990s and replaced by Short Tucanos. The Jet Provost remains popular among enthusiasts and being an inexpensive jet, many are now in private hands. Some are flown at airshows.

Variants

Model	Number built	Manufacturer	Comments
Jet Provost T1	12	Hunting Percival	Initial production batch for the RAF.
Jet Provost T2	4	Hunting Percival	Development aircraft only.
Jet Provost T3	201	Hunting Aircraft	Main production batch for the RAF.
Jet Provost T3A	(70)	Hunting	Modified T3 with improved avionics for the RAF.
Jet Provost T4	198	BAC	Variant with more powerful engine for the RAF.
Jet Provost T5	110	BAC	Pressurised version for the RAF.
Jet Provost T5A	(94)	BAC	Converted T5 with improved avionics.
Jet Provost T5B		BAC	Unofficial designation, basically a T5 with some conversions and used for navigator training.
Jet Provost T51	22	Hunting Aircraft	Export version of the T3 (12 built for Ceylon, four built for Sudan, and six built for Kuwait).
Jet Provost T52	43	BAC	Export version of the T4 (20 built for Iraq, 15 built for Venezuela, eight built for Sudan).
Jet Provost T55	5	BAC	Export version of the T5, built for Oman.
BAC Strikemaster	146	BAC	Ground attack version of the T5.

Operators

• Royal Australian Air Force - Only one aircraft was ever used by the RAAF. A single Jet Provost T.Mk 2 was in service with the RAAF for six months in 1959, it was used for tests and evaluation with No. 1 Basic Flying Training School RAAF.

• Royal Ceylon Air Force received 12 Jet Provost T51 aircraft.

• Iraqi Air Force received 12 Jet Provost T52 aircraft.

• Kuwait Air Force received six Jet Provost T51 aircraft.

• Sultan of Oman's Air Force received five Jet Provost T55 aircraft.

• Republic of Singapore Air Force - 3 x T.52s (ex-South Yemen Air Force airframe) operated from the 1975 until 1980.

• South Yemen Air Force

• Sudan Air Force received four Jet Provost T51 and eight T52 aircraft.

• Royal Air Force

• Venezuelan Air Force received 15 Jet Provost T52 aircraft.

Specifications (T Mk. 5)

See also

References

Notes

1. UK Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register - Entry for former Singapore AF Jet Provost T52 registered G-PROV
2. Andrade 1982, page 192
3. History of G-PROV
4. UK Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register - Entry for former Singapore AF Jet Provost T52 registered G-JETP

Bibliography

• Clarke, Bob. Jet Provost - The Little Plane With The Big History. Stroud, UK: Amberley Publishing Plc, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84868-097-5.
• Taylor, John W.R. "Hunting Jet Provost and BAC 167." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
• Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Janes's Yearbooks,1971. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.

External links

• Jet Provost heaven
• Warbird Alley: Jet Provost page