The RTAF-5 was a Thai

training Training is teaching, or developing in oneself or others, any skills and knowledge or Physical fitness, fitness that relate to specific practicality, useful Competence (human resources), competencies. Training has specific goals of improving on ...

and

forward air control Forward air control is the provision of guidance to close air support (CAS) aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller (FAC). ...

aircraft developed and built by the Science and Weapon Systems Development Centre of the

Royal Thai Air Force "Royal Thai Air Force March" , mascot = , anniversaries = 9 April 1937 (Royal Thai Air Force Day) , equipment = , equipment_label = , battles ...

in the 1980s. It was a

twin-boom A twin-boom aircraft is characterised by two longitudinal booms (extended nacelle-like bodies). The booms may contain ancillary items such as fuel tanks and/or provide a supporting structure for other items. Typically, twin tailbooms support ...

configuration aircraft powered by a single pusher

turboprop A turboprop is a turbine engine that drives an aircraft propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction gearbox, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propelling nozzle. Air enters the intake and is compressed by the compressor. Fuel ...

engine, but only a single example was built.

Development and design

In 1976, the Science and Weapon Systems Development Centre of the Royal Thai Air Force, based at Don Muang Air Base,

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...

, started development of a trainer/forward air control aircraft, the RTAF-5. It was a single-engined high-wing

monoplane A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...

of all-metal construction with twin booms, and with a fuselage resembling that of an

OV-10 Bronco The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a f ...

, but powered by a single Allison 250 turboprop engine at the rear of the fuselage. It had a retractable nosewheel undercarriage and had four underwing

hardpoint A hardpoint is an attachment location on a structural frame designed to transfer force and carry an external or internal load. The term is usually used to refer to the mounting points (more formally known as a weapon station or station) on the ...

s, with wingtip fuel tanks.''Flight International''
1 August 1987, p.63. The prototype first flew on 5 October 1984, with the undercarriage fixed for early testing. Development was delayed by the license production of

RFB Fantrainer The RFB Fantrainer (or Fan Trainer) is a two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a mid-mounted ducted fan propulsion system. Developed and manufactured by German aircraft company Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (RFB), it has been used by the Luftwaf ...

s by the RTAF, and was eventually abandoned, only the single prototype (which is preserved at the

Royal Thai Air Force Museum The Royal Thai Air Force Museum is located in Don Mueang District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on the Phahonyothin Road just to the south of Wing 6 of the domestic terminal of the Don Mueang Airport. It was served by the Royal Thai Air Force ...

) being flown, with a second example being used for static testing.Forsgren,Jan.
Aircraft Production In Thailand
. ''Aeroflight''. 20 November 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2009.

Specifications

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * "Airdata File" ''

Air International ''AIR International'' is a British aviation magazine covering current defence aerospace and civil aviation topics. It has been in publication since 1971 and is currently published by Key Publishing Ltd. History and profile The magazine was fir ...

'', February 1986, Vol 30 No 2. p. 103. ISSN 0306-5634.

External links

* {{Thai experimental aircraft designations Aircraft manufactured in Thailand Cancelled military aircraft projects Royal Thai Air Force 1980s Thai military trainer aircraft Twin-boom aircraft Single-engined turboprop aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft Mid-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1984