Single Engine Turboprop Military Aircraft

[Stationair8]

One for the Pprune experts.

A single engine turboprop monoplane taildragger, possibily French designed, and built in the 1950's?.

It may have started life with an inline piston engine, then re-engineered with a turbine engine later in the mid 1960's.

I think it may have been used by the Swiss airforce for target towing.

Regards
S8

[SWBKCB]

Farner Werke C-3605

The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp ("Tug") or "Alpine Anteater", was a target towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force from 1971–1987. The aircraft was developed during the latter half of the 1960s by the Swiss Federal Construction Works (Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette) (EKW), renamed Farner Werke (F+W) in 1972, as a conversion of the existing C-3603 ground attack/target towing aircraft. Following a successful prototype conversion in 1968, 23 aircraft were converted between 1971–1973 with 2 still flying in private hands.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%2BW_C-3605

[Asturias56]

The Morane-Saulnier MS 1500 Epervier fits the bill but not sure if it was ever used by the Swiss


SWB has it I think

[Stationair8]

Thanks SWBKCB, greatly appreciated for that info.

[l.garey]

Here is a Schlepp at Lausanne in 2011.
Laurence
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/dscf0005_30540d27eba20de0c674965ac245e8e5bf5573af.jpg

[Pypard]

The Morane-Saulnier MS 1500 Epervier fits the bill but not sure if it was ever used by the Swiss


That was a real stretch of the imagination: the Epervier didn't start life with an inline piston engine; wasn't used by the Swiss and wasn't a target tug.

Pilatus Porter fit the remit a bit better, even though it's not.

[SWBKCB]

That was a real stretch of the imagination: the Epervier didn't start life with an inline piston engine; wasn't used by the Swiss and wasn't a target tug.

Pilatus Porter fit the remit a bit better, even though it's not.

I'd never heard of it, so have learned something today! :ok:

[papa_sierra]

There is one at Wickenby. Photo is not mine but is copyrighted to Kevin Mape.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1095x730/wickenby_aircraft_97a6085775ce7de294f3432b224672a2984de5c5.j pg

[old,not bold]

Hmmm........you would want to be very careful when getting the tail up on take-off; the blades might have the tips cut off but they're still quite long.

[treadigraph]

Do I recall one taxying into the back of a parked JetRanger at Duxford? (Yes, I know a Spitfire did the same thing!)

Don't think I've ever actually seen one...

[DHfan]

Pilatus Porter fit the remit a bit better, even though it's not.

The Pilatus (Turbo)-Porter was my first guess, having completely forgotten about the Schlepp.

[Pypard]

It would also appear that all 24 aircraft (all converted from piston-engined C-3603's) survive. That must be some kind of record if correct.

[DaveReidUK]

It would also appear that all 24 aircraft (all converted from piston-engined C-3603's) survive. That must be some kind of record if correct.

The Swiss AF wrote one off in 1983 after it hit first a bird and then a power line.

[treadigraph]

Often see birds sitting on powerlines...

[Jhieminga]

There's a C-3604 that's back to airworthy status courtesy of a 500 series Merlin: https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-flight-of-rare-bird

[Pypard]

My recollection is that these were referred to as EKW C-3605; is "F+W" (F&W?) the same thing?

[treadigraph]

My recollection is that these were referred to as EKW C-3605; is "F+W" (F&W?) the same thing?
EKW built the original piston aircraft, the same company rebadged as F+W did the turbine conversions...

[Noyade]

Observer's '74...


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x688/scan0970_ef1c82515231131173ae6bee49d3a6e2b93c49a4.jpg

[Asturias56]

Did they have a camera under the nose so the pilot could see what was ahead?

[DuncanDoenitz]

One wonders whether the designer had, erm, esteem issues in the trouser department.

Perhaps that's just me.