The original concept of the
Strikemaster was as a result of the export success of the Jet Provost.
The British Aircraft Corporation, based at Warton, began work on the design of
this new type, which would be based on the Mk.5 Jet Provost. This aircraft
would be able to perform both the training role and light attack duties,
and be available at a price that smaller nations could afford, thus
improving its chances in the export market.
The project was originally labelled the BAC 166 and work began on producing an airworthy test-bed.
The prototype was rolled out of the Lancashire factory and it took its first flight on 26 October 1967. The comparisons with the JP T.5, which first flew a few months previously were clearly evident, but this aircraft had several additional features.
The airframe was strengthened with armour put in place, an up-rated Rolls Royce Viper 525 engine capable of 3410lb of thrust was fitted, and eight stores hard-points were installed beneath the wings, enabling the Strikemaster to carry light armament and drop tanks. The fuel system layout was also revised and the landing gear was shortened to be more suitable for rough field operations, conditions that potential export customers were likely to encounter.
Inside the cockpit there were several changes; comprehensive communications and navigational equipment was installed, as well as two up-rated Martin Baker ejection seats fitted. The type was also given a new official classification - the BAC.167. In a combat configuration the Strikemaster could be fitted with two .303 machine-guns, each with 525 rounds of ammunition. The eight hard-points enabled external loads such as 3,000 lbs. of bombs, rockets or Napalm to be carried underneath the wings.
With the first aircraft built and flying, work began by BAC to generate interest in the design, which would hopefully be followed by firm orders. Initial signs were good that the Strikemaster would be a success, with several nations showing interest.
It was decided by BAC that each country of sale would have its own variation or mark of Strikemaster. The Saudi Arabian Air Force were the first nation to place an order, for the Mk.80 version. This Air Force turned out to be the main export customer, they ordered 47 examples in total, spread over three batches, and were delivered between 1968 and 1977.
The Air Force of South Yemen acquired four Mk.81 Strikemasters in 1969, and Mk.82s were delivered to the Sultan of Oman Air Force around the same
time.
The Kuwait Air Force originally ordered the Mk.83, with deliveries commencing in 1970.
After a career spanning some 15 years they were withdrawn in 1985 and traded back to British Aerospace (BAe). The surviving aircraft were flown back to Warton, using UK military serials (ZG805-813) and placed in store. In 1987 BAe sold the aircraft, now all completely rebuilt, to the Botswana Defence Force. Deliveries commenced the same year and were completed by the end of 1988. The Mk.83s stayed in service with the Air Force, until retirement in 1997.
Other customers included the Singapore Air Force, which ordered 16 examples of the Mk.84 Strikemaster in 1968 and delivered in 1969. Kenya received examples of the Mk.87 Strikemaster, and they stayed in service until being replaced by the BAe Hawk.
The surviving aircraft were passed onto the Botswana Defence Force, where they served with the country's existing fleet of Mk.83s until retirement in 1997.
The New Zealand government placed an order in 1970, and their first Mk.88 aircraft (NZ6361) was delivered in 1972, with the remaining aircraft on order reaching the RNZAF in 1975. These continued in service for the next twenty years before retirement in 1993.
The country of Ecuador ordered eight Strikemaster Mk.89 aircraft, and these were delivered in 1972. Eight further examples, designated Mk.89As,
were delivered in 1976.
The last new-build export customer for the Strikemaster was to be Sudan.
Ten Mk.90 aircraft were ordered, and were built at Warton, with assembly moving to the Bournemouth factory as late as 1984. However, an arms embargo prevented seven aircraft being delivered, and instead six were sold to Ecuador, with the other going to Oman.
The BAC Strikemaster set a world record for the number of repeat orders placed, and a total of 146 were used collectively by ten different nations.
Examples in Oman, South Yemen, and Ecuador all saw combat during their service careers, with most of the Oman Air Force fleet sustaining battle damage. The type coped so well in such environments it soon earned a reputation for being a very tough aircraft. |