Summary
The Venga TG-10 Brushfire was a military trainer aircraft developed in Canada in the late 1980s.[1][2] The sole prototype was destroyed in a fire without having flown. The TG-10 was a low-wing, single-engine jet with seating in tandem for the pilot and instructor.[2] In general layout, it resembled the Northrop F-5 but had twin, outwardly-canted tail fins.[2] Construction was of composite materials throughout.[2][3] Announced to the public at the 1987 Paris Air Show,[4] the key selling point of the design was its low cost,[3] offering the performance of competing jet trainers at the cost of a turboprop trainer.[4] Venga Aerospace claimed letters of interest from five countries, involving up to 160 aircraft.[5] A single-seat ground-attack version[2][3] and a UAV version[6] were also considered.
| TG-10 Brushfire | |
|---|---|
| Role | Military Jet Trainer |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | Venga Aerospace Systems, Toronto |
| Status | Cancelled after sole prototype destroyed |
| Primary user | None |
| Number built | 1 |
Venga hoped to be able to enter the design in the USAF's JPATS competition,[7] but this did not transpire. Finance proved an ongoing problem for the project,[3] despite a partnership with Chinese firm Baosteel announced in 1994,[8] as the first prototype was nearing completion. At the time, Venga still claimed "soft orders" for 86 aircraft from five customers.[5] The aircraft was destroyed in a fire in May 1998,[9] and no further work was undertaken.[10] However, as recently as 2004, Venga hoped to relaunch the project.[6]
Specifications (prototype, as designed) edit
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88, p.35
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and instructor
- Length: 11.89 m (39 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 8.23 m (27 ft 0 in)
- Height: 4.04 m (13 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 12.5 m2 (135 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,288 kg (2,840 lb)
- Gross weight: 2,645 kg (5,832 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J85-GE-5 , 13.0 kW (2,925 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 899 km/h (558 mph, 485 kn)
- Range: 1,760 km (1,094 mi, 951 nmi)
- Rate of climb: 35.6 m/s (7,000 ft/min)
Armament
- One centreline and four underwing pylons, each with capacity of 180 kg (400 lb)[5]
Notes edit
- ^ Taylor 1989, p.947
- ^ a b c d e Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88 p. 34
- ^ a b c d Hatch 1988, p.56
- ^ a b "Venga unveiled" 1987, p.11
- ^ a b c Air International May 1994, p.281.
- ^ a b "Venga Enters Development Agreement with ACWI to Provide Flight and Combat Support Services for U.S. Military" 2004
- ^ "USAF starts work on trainer requirement" 1989, p.13
- ^ "China/Canada sign for trainer venture" 1994, p.11
- ^ "Venga settles fire lawsuit" 2004
- ^ Venga 2007, p.2
References edit
- "Airdata File:Venga Aerospace TG-10 Brushfire". Air International. Vol. 46, no. 5. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. May 1994. p. 281. ISSN 0306-5634.
- "China/Canada sign for trainer venture". Flight International. 2–8 March 1994. p. 11. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- Hatch, Paul (13 August 1988). "Military Aircraft of the World". Flight International. pp. 22–80.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88. London: Jane's Publishing. 1987.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- "USAF starts work on trainer requirement". Flight International. 28 October 1989. p. 13. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- Venga Aerospace Systems (2007). "Management's discussion and analysis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- "Venga Enters Development Agreement with ACWI to Provide Flight and Combat Support Services for U.S. Military". Business Wire. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- "Venga settles fire lawsuit" (Press release). 9 January 2004. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- "Venga unveiled". Flight International. 27 June 1987. p. 11. Retrieved 2008-12-30.