Super Decathlon
DH.110 Sea Vixen
The DH.110 Sea Vixen is a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed from an earlier first generation jet fighter. It was manufactured by de Havilland.
Originally known as the DH.110, the DH.110 was designed for both the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm as an all-weather, missile-armed, high-speed jet fighter. The prototype first flew on September 26, 1951 and was piloted by John Cunningham. The next year, a tragedy occurred while the aircraft was being demonstrated at the Farnborough Air Show on September 6, 1952. Following a demonstration of the aircraft’s ability to break the sound barrier, it disintegrated and killed 31 people, with the aircraft’s two crew. The culprit was due to faulty design of the end sections of the main spar, resulting in the outer ends of the wings shearing off an execution of a high-rate turn. Due to the aforementioned incident, modifications were made to the other prototype. In 1955, a further DH.110 was produced, a semi-navalised variant including change of leading edge profile and strengthening of wing, as a prototype for the production version. The prototype flew also that same year.
The DH.110 Sea Vixen became the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets and bombs. The DH.110’s original design was fitted with cannons. The pilot’s canopy is offset to the left hand side. The navigator was housed to the right completely within the fuselage, gaining access through a flush-fitting top hatch into his space which had a small window. The DH.110 Sea Vixen didn’t saw any true wars during its career with the Fleet Air Arm but participated in many operations, including operation in Persian Gulf and duties on Beira Patrol. The Sea Vixen also performed in aerobatic role.
Piper J-3 Cub
Pilatus PC-12
Luscombe 8F
Eurocopter EC 135
Piasecki H-21
Piasecki X-49A Speedhawk
Jaguar
The Jaguar is a ground attack aircraft manufactured by SEPECAT. The Jaguar was among the first major Anglo-French military aircraft programs and it served as one of the French Air Force’s main strike/attack aircraft until July 1, 2005 and with the Royal Air Force of Oman.
In early 1960s, the Jaguar program began, in response to a British requirement for an advanced supersonic jet trainer and a French need for a cheap, subsonic dual role trainer and attack aircraft with good short field performance. The Jaguar was planned to be the replacement for the RAF Hawker Hunter and the Armee de l’Air F-100 Super Sabre. On Septmeber, 1968, the first 8 prototypes were flown. The Jaguar was updated several times and remains in front-line service with India and Oman. It is to be replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon in the RAF and the Rafale in the Armee de l’Air and India plans to replace its Jaguar fleet with the Medium Combat Aircraft. UK Treasury demands to cut the defense budget and this led to reports that the Jaguar is a possible candidate for retirement. Critics said that the aircraft is nearing the end of its service life for it did not have all the capabilities required of a front line jet. While proponents argued that Jaguar was recently updated and was the most cost effective of all the RAF’s fast jet force. India, on the other hand is modernizing its current Jaguar fleet and also placed an order for 29 additional upgraded Jaguar IM aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics in 2005.
Jaguars were sold to a number of overseas countries, of which the largest single customer was the Republic of India, purchasing 40 aircraft and also acquired the license to manufacture 100 indigenously. India’s leading aerospace agency, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, manufactured 100 Jaguars. Jaguar saw combat service during the first Gulf War of 1991, with the Armee de l’Air and the Kargil War with the Indian Air Force. There’s a total of 543 Jaguars built.
Eurocopter AS 532
The Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar is a multi-purpose helicopter first manufactured by Eurocopter upgraded by Aerospatiale Puma and developed as the Eurocopter EC 725. A replacement for the SA 330 Puma was designed, the AS 332 Super Puma and first flew in September 1977. it was fitted with two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, composite rotor blades, improved landing gear and a modified tailfin.
Length: 15.53 m
Rotor diameter: 15.6 m
Height: 4.92 m
Powerplant: 2 x Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft
Maximum speed: 249 km/h
Cruise speed: 239 km/h
Range: 573 km
Service ceiling 3,450 m
Rate of climb: 7.2 m/s