Back around 1968-9 BAC had a machine called the Strike Master a development of the Jet Provost. The early version had a NiCad battery fitted in the nose, behind the landing light and the clear plastic window for it to shine through. Some of these aircraft operated in Saudi Arabia and experienced extremely high temperatures, certainly in the nose with the sun shining through the nice window mentioned. The dangers of battery overheat and a subsequent possible explosive event had been seemingly forgotten during the design stage as the crew oxygen bottles had been mounted on a bracket above the battery. Sods law was working well one hot summer’s day in Riyadh!!! Battery overheat followed by a very, very violent explosion as a large part of the nose section of the aircraft parted company. After landing safely and a change of underpants by the pilot it was found that both battery and oxygen cylinder had exploded. Battery overheats should be taken seriously and if the battery continues to stay hot after switching OFF even more so. Designers of aircraft also need to be mindful when placing possible explosive equipments in close proximity to one another. In the case above modification was carried out to change battery type but its location remained the same, some small comfort to future aviators flying the machine when battery overheats occurred.
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