Vickers Type 143 (Bolivian Scout)

History

In the late 1920s, Bolivia needed modern aircraft as a deterrent to neighboring Paraguay, which was embroiled in a growing border dispute. It has a contract with Vickers Airways for six based on the earlier Type 141, which itself was forged from the single-seat, single-engine Type 123.

The Type 123 became a biplane fighter, existed as a single prototype and made its maiden flight on September 11, 1926. While the Type 123 went nowhere, the Type 141 realized in 1927 when the original Hispano-Siza T52 400 hp engine came out and was replaced by the 480 hp Rolls-Royce F. Xi line.

The design failed to interest the British during official competition in early 1928, was modified for carrier testing in 1929, and was eventually scrapped in 1930.

Starting from the Type 141, the Type 143 "Bolivian Scout" was born for Bolivian service. The Rolls-Royce engine was replaced by a 450-horsepower Bristol Jupiter VIA series engine that was already in Bolivia's logistical pipeline, and the aircraft's structure was strengthened for rough terrain. It retains the single-cabin biplane wing arrangement.

The pilot sits in the open-air cockpit with the landing gear fixed. The first flight of this form was observed on November 26, 1929.

The six planes were flown to Bolivia on the condition that only three were available to ensure front-line service in the Chaco War. These served well while they were in the air until they were replaced by more modern types. Overall, they were well-received by pilots.

An example of the Vickers design, the Type 177 (No. 21/26 of 1926), was tested by the British Fleet Aviation (FAA), but did not go into series production. The revised model was equipped with a four-bladed propeller, Jupiter XF engine and an improved steering system.

The first flight was recorded on November 26, 1929.

Performance specifications for the Type 143 include a top speed of 150 mph and a service cap of up to 20,000 feet with air-cooled Jupiter VIA engines. It carries 2 x 7.7mm Vickers air-cooled machine guns as its primary weapon.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes