NDN Firecracker
| NDN-1 Firecracker | |
|---|---|
| |
| NDN Firefracker demonstrator at the 1980 Farnborough Airshow | |
| Role | Trainer |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | NDN Aircraft |
| First flight | 26 May 1977 |
| Number built | 4 |
The NDN Firecracker is a single-engine aircraft designed as a military
trainer
.
Design and development
In 1976, Nigel
Islander, set up NDN Aircraft to build the Firecracker, a single piston-engined trainer designed to replicate the handling of a jet trainer.[1] It was intended that the Firecracker would have a simple structure to allow it to be built under license by third-world countries to help start up local aviation industries.[2] The first prototype, powered by a Lycoming O-540 piston engine, flew on 26 May 1977.[3]
The aircraft configuration is a
aspect ratio wing in order to give fighter-like handling and is fitted with an airbrake.[2]
After producing a single piston-engined prototype, NDN developed the aircraft by fitting a
Shorts Tucano was chosen.[7]
Although NDN, which renamed itself the Norman Aircraft Company (NAC) in 1985, continued to try to sell the Firecracker, no further production ensued, and NAC went into receivership in 1988.[8]
Specifications (Turbo Firecracker)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-1989 [9]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in)
- Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 11.89 m2 (128.0 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 5.28:1
- Airfoil: NACA 23012
- Empty weight: 1,117 kg (2,463 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,633 kg (3,600 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 405 L (89 imp gal; 107 US gal) internal fuel
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25 turbopropengine, 533 kW (715 shp) equivalent
- Propellers: 3-bladed constant speed propeller, 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 367 km/h (228 mph, 198 kn) at 4,600 m (15,000 ft)
- Cruise speed: 333 km/h (207 mph, 180 kn) at 6,100 m (20,000 ft) (econ. cruise)
- Stall speed: 111 km/h (69 mph, 60 kn) (EAS)
- Never exceed speed: 533 km/h (331 mph, 288 kn) (EAS)
- Range: 1,158 km (720 mi, 625 nmi) with maximum standard fuel
- Ferry range: 2,038 km (1,266 mi, 1,100 nmi) with external fuel
- Service ceiling: 8,260 m (27,100 ft)
- g limits: +6/-3
- Rate of climb: 10.5 m/s (2,060 ft/min)
- Take-off run to 15 m (50 ft): 500 m (1,600 ft)
- Landing distance from 15 m (50 ft): 677 m (2,221 ft)
Armament
- Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 181 kg (400 lb) each
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Pilatus PC-9
- Shorts Tucano
References
Notes
- ^ Flight International 23 July 1977, pp. 275, 278.
- ^ a b Field 1979, p.831.
- ^ Donald 1997, p.673.
- ^ Barnett 1984, p.902.
- ^ Parker 1983, p.738.
- ^ Flight International 24 March 1984, p.741
- ^ Flight International 30 March 1985, pp. 8-9.
- ^ Flight International 6 August 1988, p.11.
- ^ Taylor 1988, p.298-299.
Bibliography
- Barnett, Cliff. "Firecracker: trainer for tomorrow?". Flight International, 31 March 1984. pp. 899–902.
- Donald, David (editor).The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Leicester, UK:Blitz, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Field, Hugh. "Firecracker in the air". Flight International, 17 March 1979. pp. 831–834.
- Parker, Ian "Early delivery set for Turbo-Firecracker". Flight International, 17 September 1983. pp. 738–739.
- Taylor, J.W.R.(editor) Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-1989. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
- "Firecracker". Flight International, 23 July 1977. pp. 275–279.
- "Turboprops form RAF Trainer Shortlist". Flight International, 24 March 1984. p. 741
- "Shorts Awarded Trainer Contract". Flight International, 30 March 1985, pp. 8–9.
- "Norman calls in receiver". Flight International, 6 August 1988, p. 11.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to NDN Firecracker.
- NTPS
- NAC (NDN) Firecracker et Turbo Firecracker(in French)