Newcastle Jet Provost
Technical Info
Hunting Percival P.84 Jet Provost T.3A
The Jet Provost T Mk 3A is a single engined low wing basic training aircraft with an unpressurised cockpit containing 2 side-by side type 4PA ejection seats.
A Rolls Royce Viper Mk 102 turbo jet engine is in the fuselage behind the cockpit and is supplied with air from 2 intakes, 1 on each side of the cockpit.A single jet pipe extends to the tail.Fuel is carried in pressurised wing tanks and wing tip tanks and fed to the engine by an electrically operated booster pump.
An engine driven pump supplies hydraulic pressure for the operation of the retractable landing gear, wheel brakes, flaps and air brakes. An engine driven 28 volt DC generator supplies the aircraft electrical system which is supported by 2 x 24 volt batteries.
Principal Dimensions:
Length: 32ft 5”
Span (with tip tanks): 36ft 11”
Height: 10ft 2”
Engine Data:
Engine: Rolls Royce Viper Mk 102
Type: Axial flow, annular combustion chamber
Fuel System:
F-34 (Jet A1) Total capacity of 2150lbs (281 imperial gallons)
Max Speed:
440 miles per hour (350 knots Vne)
G Accelerations:
Positive G 6g
Negative G -2.5g
Max Weights:
MTOW 7600lbs
Cross Wind Limitations:
Dry Runway: 30 knots
Wet Runway 25 knots
Aircraft History
Jet Provost T.3 XM479 was built at Luton, and was delivered to the Royal Air Force in the summer of 1961. It was posted to the RAF College, Cranwell, and was given the identity '32'. It remained in service until mid-1966, when it was ferried to RAF Shawbury and put into long-term store with 27MU.In early 1973 following the closure of 27MU, XM479 was moved to RAF Kemble for a further period of storage, this time with 5MU, where it remained for the next three years.
On 9th February 1976, XM479 was ferried to Warton airfield in Lancashire, for conversion to T.3A status. One of the last aircraft to be upgraded (number 76 of 85), XM479 was test flown on 27th April 1976. Just three days later, on 30th April, the aircraft was delivered to RAF Linton-on-Ouse and immediately went into service with 1FTS, as aircraft '54'. It remained in service at the airfield for the next seventeen years, until final retirement in 1993.
Sold into civilian hands, XM479 was acquired by Global Aviation, based at the former RAF Binbrook.
Put on the civilian register as G-BVEZ in October 1993, the aircraft was returned to flying condition and operated from Sandtoft airfield during the majority of 1994.During late 1995 XM479 was acquired by the Newcastle Jet Provost Company, a consortium made up of several private pilots. Following the replacement of its UHF radios to VHF equipment it moved to its new home, Newcastle Airport, in early 1996.Still in their ownership today, XM479 is kept in excellent condition, and is one of the lowest-houred JPs in existence, thus ensuring many more years in the air.
Info from jet provost heaven
M Russell