Fletcher FD-25 (Defender)

Fletcher FD-25 (Defender) History

The "COinter-INsurgency" ("COIN") aircraft is a special type of fighter jet designed to attack and deter insurgent/guerrilla forces. This generally defines an airframe that can handle long waits, with inherently excellent control at low altitudes and low speeds. During the 1950s and 1960s, the need for this aircraft became apparent in the various low-level conflicts that arose around the world after World War II (1939-1945).

During this period, the Fletcher FD-25 'Defender' was developed by John Willard Thorp (1912-1992), an aerospace engineer with extensive experience in light and ultralight aircraft.

While it failed to impress the U.S. military, limited operations continued to foreign parties in Cambodia (6) and Vietnam (4) through the Japan-based Toyo Corporation (which acquired the rights to the U.S. aircraft) Sales. Cambodia received three single-seat attack aircraft and three two-seat trainer variants.

The FD-25 development phase consisted of a total of three prototype forms, a pair of which were built to basic single-seat standards. The third product became a two-seat derivative. First flown in 1953, the aircraft's true profile was a light, single-seat, single-engine platform with a low-mounted straight main aircraft and a traditional triplane (single rudder) tail.

The landing gear remains fixed and in a "smearing" configuration during flight. In the center of the aircraft is the single-seat cockpit under the clear-view canopy for excellent visibility. The structure of the fighter is mainly composed of metal.

The light aircraft dimensions include a barrel length of 20.10 feet, a wingspan of 30 feet, and a height of 6.2 feet. Curb weight hits 1,230 pounds, while total weight is closer to 2,500 pounds.

Each main-wing aircraft has four weapon racks that can accommodate a variety of air-launched and air-dropped munitions, as well as fuel tanks to increase combat range. Typical stores supported include 2 x 250 lb conventionally thrown bombs and air-launched missiles of various calibers - 4 x 127mm, 20 x 80mm or 40 x 70mm.

The main aircraft is also fitted with 2 x 7.62mm machine guns, embedded in each element, which are mounted on fixed forward brackets.

Power is handled by a single Continental E-225-8 series 6-cylinder air-cooled piston engine producing 225 horsepower and driving a twin-blade propeller unit on the nose. Specifications include a top speed of 190 mph, a cruising speed of nearly 160 mph, a range of up to 630 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 16,500 feet.

Climb to 1,725 ??feet per minute.

Including the aforementioned prototypes, only 13 FD-25 Defender aircraft were completed in total.

Fletcher FD-25 (Defender) Specification

BASICS

MANUFACTURING

ROLES

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHTS

POWER

PERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

VARIANTS