C-3605 | |
---|---|
Schlepp in flight at the AirExpo 2015 | |
Role | Target tug |
Manufacturer | Farner Werke |
First flight | 19 August 1968 |
Introduction | 1971 |
Retired | 1987 |
Primary user | Swiss Air Force |
Produced | 1971–1973 |
Number built | 24 |
Developed from | EKW C-3603 |
The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp ("Tug") or "Alpine Anteater", was a target towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force from 1971–1987. The aircraft was developed during the latter half of the 1960s by the Swiss Federal Construction Works ( Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette) (EKW), renamed Farner Werke (F+W) in 1972, as a conversion of the existing C-3603 ground attack/ target towing aircraft. Following a successful prototype conversion in 1968, 23 aircraft were converted between 1971–1973 with 2 still flying in private hands.
In 1967 the Swiss Air Force determined that their C-3603-1 target-towing aircraft still had approximately 10 years of structural life remaining, but that the plane's Hispano-Suiza piston type engines were on the verge of wearing out, with replacements becoming scarce. [1] The C-3603-1 was based on a World War II era ground attack design which had been inspired by the design of the Messerschmitt Bf 109. [2]
Evaluations of various types of foreign aircraft were conducted to find a replacement; however, it was determined in 1965 that the most economical solution would be to re-engineer the existing aircraft with a modern turboprop engine. [3] Accordingly, work began under the direction of Jean-Pierre Weibel to convert the 102nd C-3603 into the prototype C-3605. [1]
The selected replacement engine was a Lycoming T53 turboprop. This was much lighter than the piston engine of the C-3603 and so the conversion included an extension of the nose of the aircraft by 1.82 metres (6.0 ft) to maintain the center of gravity. [4] The remainder of the aircraft was left essentially unmodified. Early flight testing of the prototype began on 19 August 1968. [1] During testing it was found that a third vertical stabiliser was also required. [1]
Flight testing showed that the prototype C-3605 possessed satisfactory flight characteristics, and the conversion of 23 C-3603 aircraft to C-3605 standard began. [1] The aircraft were delivered by F+W between 1971 and January 1973. [4] Whilst in the service of the Swiss Air Force the C-3605s were usually painted in conspicuous yellow-and-black striped, high-visibility colour schemes. [4]
The plane operated faithfully in the target towing role, exceeding its expected 10 year structural life. [5] However, by the mid 1980s, the aging aircraft had begun to show signs of airframe fatigue. [5] This led to the decision to retire the type from service in 1987 with the surviving aircraft being sold off and replaced by converted Pilatus PC-9s in the target-towing role. [2] [5]
In 2021 it was found that the engines are slightly radioactive, due to thorium being used. [6]
C-3605s are displayed in several museums, including the Flieger Flab Museum (Aviation Museum) in Dübendorf, Switzerland and the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. [5] The C-3605 is also popular as a " warbird" with civilian owners. [2]
Data from [1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development
C-3605 | |
---|---|
Schlepp in flight at the AirExpo 2015 | |
Role | Target tug |
Manufacturer | Farner Werke |
First flight | 19 August 1968 |
Introduction | 1971 |
Retired | 1987 |
Primary user | Swiss Air Force |
Produced | 1971–1973 |
Number built | 24 |
Developed from | EKW C-3603 |
The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp ("Tug") or "Alpine Anteater", was a target towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force from 1971–1987. The aircraft was developed during the latter half of the 1960s by the Swiss Federal Construction Works ( Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette) (EKW), renamed Farner Werke (F+W) in 1972, as a conversion of the existing C-3603 ground attack/ target towing aircraft. Following a successful prototype conversion in 1968, 23 aircraft were converted between 1971–1973 with 2 still flying in private hands.
In 1967 the Swiss Air Force determined that their C-3603-1 target-towing aircraft still had approximately 10 years of structural life remaining, but that the plane's Hispano-Suiza piston type engines were on the verge of wearing out, with replacements becoming scarce. [1] The C-3603-1 was based on a World War II era ground attack design which had been inspired by the design of the Messerschmitt Bf 109. [2]
Evaluations of various types of foreign aircraft were conducted to find a replacement; however, it was determined in 1965 that the most economical solution would be to re-engineer the existing aircraft with a modern turboprop engine. [3] Accordingly, work began under the direction of Jean-Pierre Weibel to convert the 102nd C-3603 into the prototype C-3605. [1]
The selected replacement engine was a Lycoming T53 turboprop. This was much lighter than the piston engine of the C-3603 and so the conversion included an extension of the nose of the aircraft by 1.82 metres (6.0 ft) to maintain the center of gravity. [4] The remainder of the aircraft was left essentially unmodified. Early flight testing of the prototype began on 19 August 1968. [1] During testing it was found that a third vertical stabiliser was also required. [1]
Flight testing showed that the prototype C-3605 possessed satisfactory flight characteristics, and the conversion of 23 C-3603 aircraft to C-3605 standard began. [1] The aircraft were delivered by F+W between 1971 and January 1973. [4] Whilst in the service of the Swiss Air Force the C-3605s were usually painted in conspicuous yellow-and-black striped, high-visibility colour schemes. [4]
The plane operated faithfully in the target towing role, exceeding its expected 10 year structural life. [5] However, by the mid 1980s, the aging aircraft had begun to show signs of airframe fatigue. [5] This led to the decision to retire the type from service in 1987 with the surviving aircraft being sold off and replaced by converted Pilatus PC-9s in the target-towing role. [2] [5]
In 2021 it was found that the engines are slightly radioactive, due to thorium being used. [6]
C-3605s are displayed in several museums, including the Flieger Flab Museum (Aviation Museum) in Dübendorf, Switzerland and the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. [5] The C-3605 is also popular as a " warbird" with civilian owners. [2]
Data from [1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development