The GAF Jindivik is a radio-controlled target drone produced by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories (GAF). The name is from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning "the hunted one".[1] Two manually-controlled prototypes, were built as the GAF Pika (Project C[2]) as a proof of concept to test the aerodynamics, engine and radio control systems, serialled A92-1/2, 'B-1/2'. The radio-controlled Jindivik was initially designated the Project B and received serials in the A93 series. Pika is an Aboriginal Australian word meaning flier.[3]
Design and development
The Jindivik was developed as a result of a bilateral agreement between Australia and the UK regarding guided missile testing. While the UK provided the missiles, Australia provided test facilities, such as the Woomera Test Range. As a result of the talks, Australia gained the contract for developing a target drone to Ministry of Supply specification E.7/48.[4] The specification called for an aircraft capable of a 15-minute sortie at 12,000 metres (40,000 ft). Development began in 1948,[5] with the first flight of the Pika in 1950[1] and the first flight of the Jindivik Mk.1 in August 1952.[5]
The manually piloted prototype, known as the Pika, had side air intakes (to make room for the cockpit) and retractable undercarriage operated from a pneumatic reservoir.[6] The remotely-piloted version, the Jindivik, followed the same basic form except that it had a single skid instead of an undercarriage and a dorsal air intake located where the Pika's cockpit was. The Jindivik Mk.1 was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Adder (ASA.1) turbojet, which had been developed as a disposable engine for the project. Only 14 Mk.1s were ever made. The Mk.2 was powered by a 7.3 kilonewtons (1,640 lbf)[7]Armstrong Siddeley Viper engine. The Viper was also intended for a short lifespan – about 10 hours, but a "long life" version was also produced for conventional aircraft.[8]
A Jindivik 102B after assembly by Fairey Aviation at Manchester for use on the UK test range at Aberporth
The control systems were manufactured by various firms including Elliott Brothers, GEC and McMichael, with assistance from the Royal Aircraft Establishment.[9] Control was maintained through an autopilot that received radio commands from the ground, rather than direct flight by a ground controller.[9] Eighteen commands could be issued to the autopilot with six further commands for the operation of other onboard equipment. The drone was launched via a self-steering trolley. At 110 knots (200 km/h; 130 mph), the drone was designed to apply its flaps, push the elevators up and release the trolley. Landing was made at 150–125 knots (278–232 km/h; 173–144 mph). Two controllers (azimuth and elevation) were used to align the drone on the runway. On landing it touched down on its skid and banking would cause the wingtip "shoes" to touch the runway, which controlled its path down the runway as it slowed.[8]
Between 1952 and 1986, a total of 502 aircraft were produced. Examples for use in the United Kingdom were shipped by surface transport, and assembled and tested by Fairey Aviation at Hayes, Middlesex, and Manchester Airport. In 1997, the production line was re-opened to build another 15 for Britain.[10]
Jindivik 2 modified by Fairey Aviation for use in United Kingdom.
Jindivik 2A
development model with 1,750 lbf (7.78 kN) Armstrong Siddeley ASV.8 Viper (1,750 lbf) new intake and wider wings, three built.
Jindivik 2B
production model of 2A, 76 built.
Jindivik Mk 102B
as for Mk 102 based on 2B airframe
Jindivik 3A
ASV.11 Viper engine, with new equipment for higher altitude
Jindivik 3B
as 3A but ASV.8 Viper engine
Mk 103B
for the United Kingdom
Mk 203B
for the Royal Australian Navy
Mk 303B
for the United States Navy
Surviving aircraft
1 Pika and 22 Jindiviks are preserved as either in storage or on display in museums or collections around the world ( 1 in Sweden, 8 in UK, 13 in Australia).[13]
Pika – Project C
A93-2, second pilot–controlled Pika rototype, RAAF Museum, Point Cook
Jindivik – Project B
A92-9 mark 1, painted as B-9 prototype, mounted on a pole at RAAF Base Edinburgh
A92-22 mark 2, previously on a pole at Jervis Bay, now with HARS Parkes
A92-47 mark 2, displayed on launch trolley RAAF Museum, Point Cook
A92-UNK? mark 2? as “RB01” drone (flown in Sweden in 1959?), displayed at Vidsal Test Range Museum, Sweden
A92-418 mark 3A, as WRE-418 displayed on a pole at Woomera
A92-480 mark 3A, pole-mounted gate guardian, RAF Llanbedr, Wales
Black, Ian (July–August 1999). "On Target!: A Pictorial Tribute to the Drones of RAE Llanbedr, Wales". Air Enthusiast (82): 40–41. ISSN0143-5450.
Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin; Bou, Jean (2008). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (Second ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN9780195517842.
Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980–81. London:Jane's Publishing, 1980. ISBN0-7106-0705-9.
Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London:Jane's Publishing, 1982. ISBN0-7106-0748-2.
