BAC Strikemaster Mk.80a

BAC developed the Strikemaster from the earlier Jet Provost by adding a more powerful Rolls Royce Viper 535 jet engine, and four external hardpoints for carrying weaponry and fuel tanks. Machine guns were mounted on the inboard wing roots, and the cabin is fully pressurised.

With its Middle Eastern colour scheme, the aircraft is a striking contrast to the Mk.88 Strikemasters operated by the RNZAF, which were generally a shade of green.  Photo: © Supplied

 Year: 1976  Built: 146  Serial No: 1130 RSaAF  Registration: ZK-VPR  Capacity: Two  Wingspan: 11.23m  Length: 10.274m  Height: 3.34m  Engine: Rolls-Royce Viper Mk.535 turbojet, 3,140 lbf  Max Speed: 774km/h  Ceiling: 12,000m  Range: 5,121km  Armament: 2 x 7.6mm machine guns, up to 1,400kg of bombs, gun pods, rocket pods, plus fuel drop tanks for extra range.   

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    • Ten airforces around the world operated the Strikemaster, with several including Oman, Yeman and Ecuador using it for combat operations. Its ability to operate from rough airstrips was a significant advantage in some third-world countries. The Royal New Zealand Air Force's No.14 Squadron operated sixteen Mk.88 Strikemasters as training aircraft from 1972 until their retirement in 1993.

    This particular aircraft was built by BAC as a Mk.80A in 1976 and was delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSaF) as '1130' in December that year (the Mk.80 designation was reserved for aircraft built specifically for export to Saudi Arabia).

    The RSaF had previously purchased 25 Mk.80'’'s from BAC, and ‘1130’ was part of a second order for a further twenty Mk.80a Strikemasters.

    A flight over Wellington next to a BAC Strikemaster Mk.88 (we'll have footage of ZK-VPR here soon)

    At the end of its military career the aircraft returned to the United Kingdom and took up the civil registration of G-CDHB. After several owners it was purchased by David Davidson at Tangmere and was re-registered as G-VPER.

    Gear down, ready for landing.  Photo: © Supplied

    With Davidson the aircraft became part of the 'Team Viper' civilian aerobatic team (named after the Rolls Royce engine in the Strikemaster) which displayed at airshows throughout Europe and the Middle East (Dubai).

    The aircraft was imported into New Zealand in May 2011.

    More Videos:

    • Ex-RNZAF Strikemaster Display In Tauranga

    • Low Level Strikemaster Display

    • Two Ex-RNZAF Strikemasters Together

    • A Pair Of Strikemasters in the UK


    More Photos:

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