RFB Fantrainer
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The RFB Fantrainer is a 1970s-era two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a ducted fan propulsion system. It was manufactured by Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (RFB) in Germany and used by the German and Royal Thai air forces.
The aircraft was produced in two models, the Fantrainer 400, powered by a 420 shp Allison 250-C20Band the Fantrainer 600, which was powered by a 650 shp Allison 250-C30. In both, the turboprop engine drives a pusher fan.
First flight for the prototype aircraft took place on October 27, 1977. In August 1982, the Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract with RFB for 47 aircraft, 31 model 400 and 16 model 600. The first two aircraft were built in Germany, and the remaining aircraft were assembled in Thailand from kits shipped from RFB. After an initial period of operation, the RTAF elected to replace the aircraft's glass fiber wings with locally-produced aluminum wings.[1]
The Fantrainer is also a popular subject for radio-controlled model aircraft.
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