From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fletcher FD-25 Defender was a light ground-attack aircraft developed in the United States in the 1950s. It was a conventional low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Provision was made for two machine guns in the wings, plus disposable stores carried on underwing pylons. Construction throughout was all-metal, and the pilot sat under a wide perspex canopy. Three prototypes were built, two single-seaters and a two-seater, but no orders were placed by the US military. In Japan, however, Toyo acquired the rights to the design, and built around a dozen aircraft, selling eight to Cambodia and four to Vietnam.
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 20 ft 11 in (6.38 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
- Wing area: 150 ft² (13.9 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,421 lb (645 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,696 lb (1,223 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental E-225-8, 225 hp (167 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 190 mph (300 km/h)
- Range: 834 miles (1,335 km)
- Service ceiling: 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,720 ft/min (8.8 m/s)
Armament
- 2 × fixed, forward-firing .30 machine guns in wings
- 500 lb (230 kg) of disposable stores on eight underwing pylons, including bombs, rockets, and napalm tanks
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 393.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 894 Sheet 25.
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