BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk.88

The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a dual seat British jet-powered training & light attack aircraft which was developed as an armed version of the earlier Jet Provost trainer. The Jet Provost was itself a jet-engined upgrade of the earlier piston-engined Percival Provost trainer which first flew in 1950.

Strikemaster '72 takes off prior to an airshow display'.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

 Manufactured: 1975  Built: 146  Serial: NZ6732  Registration: ZK-BAC  Top Speed: 774 km/h  Wingspan: 11.23m  Height: 3.34m  Length: 10.274m  Engine: Rolls-Royce Viper Mk.535 turbojet, 3,140 lbf  Range: 5121km Armament: 2 x 7.6 machine guns, up to 1,400kg of bombs, gun pods or rocket pods, plud fuel drop tanks for extra range.

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    • The Strikemaster Mk.88 was operated by 14 Sqn at RNZAF Base Ohakea from 1972 to 1993 and was colloquially known as the "Blunty". It was designed as a light attack jet and is equipped for day and night operations. It was used for tactical support, basic and advanced flying training, and lead-in fighter pilot training for pilots transitioning to the RNZAF’s A-4 Skyhawk

    The type was developed from the Jet Provost with a more powerful Rolls Royce Viper 535 jet engine, and with four external hardpoints for carrying weaponry and fuel tanks for extra range. Machine guns were mounted on the inboard wing roots. The cabin is fully pressurised and the dual Martin Baker ejector seats are capable of zero-zero ejection (on the ground while stationary).

    Sixteen Mk.88s, the version specially developed for the RNZAF, were opeated by 14 Sqn during its service life, with three being lost to crashes in that time. NZ6372 was in the second batch of Strikemasters imported in 1975. In the early 1990s metal fatigue was found in the wing attachment lugs, due to the types high use in moderate turbulence amongst low level terrain, and the Blunty was retired in favour of new Aermacchi MB339CB trainer jets in 1993. NZ6372 was one of six aircraft to have brand new wings fitted before the type was retired.

    Follow and support Strikemaster '72' via the "Strikemaster '72" group on Facebook.

    Watch as ex-RNZAF BAC Strikemaster'72 circles over Wellington city (New Zealand) at very low-level as part of an airshow promotional flight

    The Strikemaster was initially marketed as a counter-insurgency or light attack aircraft, but most large-scale purchasers were air forces wanting an advanced trainer. However, some countries including Ecuador, Oman and Yemen did use theirs in combat, and as the type was able to operate from rough air strips, and because the dual ejection seats were suitable for low-altitude escape, it was also used by several other third-world nations.

    View from the Strikemaster cockpit during a display in Wairarapa.  Photo: ©

    Following it's retirement from the RNZAF and sale to an Australian owner in the 1990's, Strikemaster 72's journey eventually took it from Australia back to New Zealand in 2011. The aircraft was meticulously restored to airworthiness by Pioneer Aero in Ardmore, and today, it conducts private flights and makes appearances at air shows around the country.

    More Videos:

    • Strikemaster Display At Wings Over Wairarapa

    • Low Level Strikemaster Flight

    • Two ex-RNZAF Strikemasters Display

    • Six Jet Fighters in Formation


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