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Short Tucano

A Brief History of Toucans

The Short "Tucano" is nothing more than a locally licensed version of the Embraer EMB-312 "Tucano", a two-seat single-engine light trainer/light fighter. After its first test flight on August 16, 1980, the original form has become a popular lightweight training platform around the world, as the updated EMB-314 "Super Toucan" (described in detail elsewhere on this page) is further developed.

The Short Brothers version was primarily developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF), although it did claim some notable foreign operators before it ended.

In the early 1980s, the RAF attempted to phase out its aging fleet of 1950s turbojet-powered BAC 'Jet Provost' advanced trainers. A total of 734 prototypes of these machines were produced and subsequently served various global customers.

Rather than looking for another complex, expensive and fuel-guzzling jet trainer to replace it, opt for a more economical form of turboprop. This prompted Short Brothers to partner with Brazilian company Embraer to manufacture the proven Tucano locally for the RAF.

Tucano faced stiff competition from other suppliers, such as the equally excellent Pilatus PC-9 (described in detail elsewhere on this site).

In order to prepare the Tucano for British service, the Short Brothers were allowed to modify the Brazilian design to meet RAF requirements. Changes include ventral-located airbrakes and power from Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C2 turboprops.

The cockpit has been redesigned to better match the form and function of the BAe Hawk advanced jet trainer - making pilot changes easier and the fuselage further reinforced to meet the rigors of RAF pilot training - helping to make Extended life extension clauses to extend the life of the aircraft in harsh conditions. A flight data recorder is also standard.

Short introduced an early example at Farnborough in 1984, and it was tested at the famous Boscombe Down military aircraft proving ground in 1984. During this period, it turned out that the PT6 could not meet the UK requirements, so the Garrett TPE331 series (specifically the TPE331-10) was introduced to replace it.

The engine will be used to drive the four-bladed propeller unit on the nose.

After the testing period, the RAF authorities chose the Short Brothers, who preferred the Brazilian Tucano. The initial contract was for a total of 130 aircraft, with an option for 15 airframes in the future. On February 14, 1986, the pre-production aircraft flew for the first time. In June of the same year, the TPE331-12B was unveiled as the main power unit of the series, and mass-produced by air for the first time in December.

The table series was launched in 1989.

Once built, Short Tucano retains most of the form and function of its Brazilian counterpart. Students and instructors sit in tandem under a monolithic light frame canopy (hinged open to starboard). Visibility at these locations is excellent for this type of aircraft. The engine is mounted on the long nose and drives a four-bladed Hartzell propeller unit. The fuselage has a streamlined design and is terminated at the rear by a single-blade empennage with a low mounting level.

The wing main aircraft is located near the midship and has a straight design with truncated ends. The fully retractable landing gear is in a tricycle arrangement.

Garret turboprop performance includes a top speed of 315 mph and a cruising speed of nearly 255 mph. With a range of 1,035 miles, the aircraft has a service ceiling of 34,000 feet - requiring oxygen for two pilots. The climb rate is 3,510 feet per minute.

The new trainer was delivered to the RAF in late 1988 and continued until 1993. The aircraft was eventually offered by the Imperial Test Pilot School and the Royal Air Force Central Flying School. All 130 airframes delivered to the RAF are Tucano Mk. T1 basic two-seat trainer models.

Only two other global operators are interested in Short Tucano: Kenya and Kuwait. The former operated the Tucano Mk. 51 variant in 12 examples, the latter received the Tucano Mk. 52 in a batch of 16 aircraft.

The Kuwaiti variant is known for its combat capability, capable of performing basic flight training and light combat missions - in both cases supporting bombs, artillery pods and rocket pods as weapons.

From 1986 to 1995, Short Brothers made only 160 Short Tucanos in total. At the time of writing (2018), this person is still in service.