- Yes
- No
Hello! Welcome to my suggestion for the BAC jet provost, a mainstay of the RAF training for decades, i feel this could come as a light attack alternative to the Strikemaster that has been added as a battlepass vehicle.
History
Spoiler
Early in 1951 Hunting Percival had anticipated a demand for a jet based trainer based was on the horizon and so began working on the design studies that would ultimately lead to the Jet Provost. During the design Process Hunting Percival Reused as many components as possible from their previous Propeller driven Provost in RAF service in order to streamline the development process, because of this only 3 years after development started the first prototype XD674 made its maiden flight from Luton airport. Following this success the prototype was then submitted to RAF Boscombe Down for official trials and testing concluded it was satisfactory with only limited modification needed for RAF service and the first pre production models entered RAF service the following year.
Following on from the success in RAF Service, the Jet Provost also saw success on the export market with the T.5 variant being used by several countries, including Portugal, Nigeria and Iraq, who used the Provost for Training and Light Attack duties. Due to this success the Provost was also developed into the BAC Strikemaster we see in game which also saw success on the export market.
The story of the Provost and its COIN roles are often overshadowed by its more capable brother, the BAC Strikemaster, however not many know about the Provosts duties in a light attack role, whilst never fully utilised to this extent like the Hawk, the provost did have attack capabilities, something that started with the prototype T.2 and then further perfected on the T.5, the T.5 had the provisions for mounting 4 pylons of armament under its wings allowing for it to carry a rather large amount of ordinance (although limited conpared to the strikemaster) mainly consisting of SNEB rocket pods and 500/540 lbs bombs. In addition to this, the T.5 seems to have had the provision for two 7.62mm Machine guns under the air intakes along with all the systems and machinery required to use them, however these would only be fitted to the export T.55s to sudan.
Photos
Spoiler
Shows a possible Camouflage for the Provost
Image of a Provost carrying armament (Possibly Practice Munitions)
Diagrams showing two potential camos for the Provost in game, note the bottom one is already featured as a marketplace skin for the Strikemaster Mk.88
The BAC Stikemaster prototype, you can clearly see the similarities between this and the Provost
A Provost T.5 on display at Farnborough, with its armament options laid around it
A T.5 in flight over Yorkshire in summer 1978
Another interesting camo for the provost, featuring a tricolour scheme
A Provost performing a flypast of RAF College Cranwell in september 1969
Specifications/Armament
Spoiler
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Instructor}
Length: 34ft 0in (10.36m)
Wingspan: 35ft 4in (10.77m)
Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
Wing area: 213.7 sq ft (19.85 m2)
Empty weight: 4,888 lb (2,217 kg)
Gross weight: 6,989 lb (3,170 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 9,200 lb (4,173 kg)
Powerplant: Armstrong Siddeley Viper Mk.202 turbojet engine, 2,500 lbf (11,120.55 N)
Maximum speed: 382 kn (440 mph, 707 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Range: 780 nmi (900 mi, 1,440 km) with tip tanks.
Service ceiling: 36,750 ft (11,200 m)
Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s)
Wing loading: 32.7 lb/sq ft (160 kg/m2)
Guns:
- 2× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns (provision for them, never used in actively in RAF service)
Rockets:
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6× 60 lb rockets (27 kg)
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12× 25 lb rockets (11 kg)
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28x 68 mm SNEB rockets in four pods
Bombs:
- 4× 500/ 540 lb bombs (245 kg)
- 4 x BL755 Cluster Bombs
T.5 In game
Spoiler
In game the T.5 would function very similar to the Strikemaster however slglightly worse, it would be a low BR jet who’s main role would be in ground battles providing close air support to allies, it would most likely struggle in air battles due to its lackluster offensive armament and small bombload meaning it would be useless for anything other than attacking truck columns and pillboxes.
Because the British tree does struggle with good CAS aircraft at the 6.0 - 7.0 brackets i feel that either this or the Strikemaster Mk.82 would be a good addition as a TT vehicle to help give british CAS a slight boost at these BRs
Feel free to check out this post for the Strikemaster Mk.82 as well as it could potentially fill the same roles and gaps the Provost would.
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