Bradley-Davies “Retriever”
(Invented Blurb)
Based on the Bradley-Davies Terrier, the Retriever is the rapid response First Aid aircraft for outlying areas. It maintains the Terrier’s robust, composite/aluminium construction, low operating costs and low maintenance capabilities.
This particular aircraft is in “Hospital Wings” Livery, flying out of Rift Valley Airstrip in Kenya.
Two medical crew are accommodated in the rear cabin, and two exterior stretchers are located outside the cabin on dedicated struts attached to the access steps. Stretcher occupants are protected from the slipstream by a fairing mounted forward of the stretcher headrests. A comprehensive First Aid storage locker is fitted aft of the crew seats
The spacious cargo compartment houses a refrigerated locker suitable for organ storage or delicate medicine transport
Comms include HF, VHF and UHF and Nav is an Integrated Garmin 430 GPS.
The Retriever is slightly slower than the Terrier and has again been tested in climates ranging from Tundra to Desert. In normal temperate conditions she will climb out at a speed of 120 KTS at 30° nose up, 90 KTS at 60° nose up and will even reach close to 80° maintaining around 76 KTS. Stall characteristics are benign, with a lateral nose over at around 75 KTS in the climb at full power.
Normal Operating Speeds:
TAKE OFF
SHORT - Flaps 10°, Full Power, small rotation at 65 KTS (indicated)
NORMAL - Flaps 10°, 65% throttle (or above) and rotation at 75 KTS (indicated)
FLAPLESS - Give it the boot and rotate at 75 KTS. She’ll lift of at around 80
APPROACH and LANDING
78 KTS FULL FLAPS at around 30% THROTTLE
80 KTS FLAPLESS at around 25% THROTTLE
I would classify her as semi-aerobatic, but watch speeds and AOA. Full throttle and a rapid pitch down will get you into an inverted flat spin which will spoil your day. If you get into a deep stall (nose up) situation where elevator authority is masked by the high wing, don’t go uprooting the stick and yanking it about – just neutralise the controls and wait for her to stall out, recovering as the nose comes down.
The “working” cockpit is the same as the Terrier. Throttle advances and retards, and red pitch lever advances while blue mixture lever retards (not exactly accurate, but it looks cool). Warning lights surround a mock Master Warning Panel.
AG1 and Gear Tail Wheel Steering Active, Amber Light FLASH
AG2 and VTOL Flap Control Active, Magenta Light FLASH
AG3 and Landing Gear Bar Gates Closed, LH Green Light ON (Extended OFF)
AG4 and Landing Gear Access Steps Retracted, RH Green Light ON (Extended OFF)
AG5 Nav Lights On/Off, Centre Green Light ON/OFF
AG6 Landing Lights On/Off, Emergency Blue Flashing Lights ON/OFF
Cockpit Strut mounted Lights ON/OFF
Please try her out and give me some feedback, positive (preferably) or negative (probable).
I CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE I GOT THE CREWMEMBERS FROM – IF IT’S YOU, LET ME KNOW AND I’LL GIVE YOU A SHOUT OUT. AND THANKS, YOU SAVED ME SOME TIME!
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Predecessor Bush Plane
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 46.4ft (14.1m)
- Length 36.3ft (11.1m)
- Height 16.2ft (4.9m)
- Empty Weight 6,618lbs (3,001kg)
- Loaded Weight 7,243lbs (3,285kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.241
- Wing Loading 17.5lbs/ft2 (85.5kg/m2)
- Wing Area 413.6ft2 (38.4m2)
- Drag Points 10794
Parts
- Number of Parts 359
- Control Surfaces 7
- Performance Cost 1,321
@Tang0five Thanks again, I appreciate your kind words old chap! I count myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to fly these wonderful, quirky aircraft which, as you say, we'll probably never see again. It would be nice to "pull up a sandbag" in front of a couple of cold ones and I ould bore you to tears with all my "derring do"! Who knows, it could happen...
@Alien spoken like a true professional. Self-effacing and most gracious of you. The average person (myself included) has no idea of the daring-do yourself and your oppos got up to in the ether above our heads and I'm sure it would be one hell of a read! After all you've piloted some iconic all British fighters - the likes of which (sadly) we probably wont ever see again.
You're more than welcome! As regards a book, I think there are many more interesting people out there that would do the Lightning and its aircrews infinitely more justice @Tang0five
Good to here that and thanks for answering my curiosity! Regarding the previous episode you mentioned - have you ever thought about writing a book about your experiences?
The Lightning was a great dogfighter and could even hold its own with teen series aircraft. I know some red-faced Harrier pilots who underestimated the Lightning's sheer acceleration and manoeuvrability and paid the price after nozzling off all their knots. My experience with DACT in the Lightning which included Teen fighters, F4, Draken, F104, Hunter, and Mirage III made me glad I was flying the Lightning. If I got into trouble I could disengage at will. I don't believe the Migs (21/23) of the same era were superior @Tang0five
I know you could regale me for hours about being a fighter pilot but I had a specific question in mind ref the Lightning. I know The Lightning had a hell of a lot of power and speed but how was it for an old fashion dog fight - I mean could it match/out turn the migs of the day? My old maths teacher was an ex lightning pilot. Brilliant guy, mad as a hatter but what a teacher.
@GhostHTX Much appreciated, old chap
Very nice my dear fellow.
@RailfanEthan thanks bro
Sweet beans