Shorts Tucano T.Mk1
The Shorts Tucano T.Mk 1 is a two place turboprop trainer built from 1987-1993 by the Shorts Aircraft Company in Belfast, Ireland for the RAF. The T.Mk 1 was developed from the Brazilian Embraer EMB 312 to provide a more economical basic trainer than the Jet Provost being used at the time. That was accomplished in that T.Mk 1 could climb to 15,000 feet in four minutes vs. the 15 minutes needed by the Provost allowing for more training time at altitude. It could also fly two training missions before needing to be refueled and all things considered, was 70% less costly to operate than its predecessor. A total of 158 Tucanos were built, with 130 going to the RAF, 12 to Kenya and 16 to Kuwait.
This particular aircraft, ZF136, is owned by Lee Leets of Louisville, KY and is the second of the series having been built in 1987. Between 1987 and 1989 it was used for flight testing before being assigned RAF Linton-on-Ouse as a training aircraft. Not long afterwards it was pulled from training duties and was assigned as one of two air show demonstration aircraft for one year. The paint scheme that is currently on this Tucano is same original paint that was applied when it became a demo aircraft. In 2002 it was taken out of service along with 49 others due to budget cuts and was sold as part of a 22 aircraft package to RS Warbirds in Phoenix, AZ in 2007. In 2010 Lee purchased ZF136 which he will bring to the Indianapolis Air Show for the first time this year. It is only one of six currently flying in the US and will be a rare treat for all those at the show this year. |
Be sure to come early and enjoy the multitude of exhibits and displays as well as an expanded food & drink selection, exhibits, and many static displays of airplanes you can see up close and personal.
Performers, Schedule & Events are subject to change.
