Pilatus Switserland
FW-C-3605 "Alpine Anteater"
Switserland Aircraft
FW-C-3605-"Alpine Anteater"
Pilatus Aircraft
Pilatus PC-2 – Pilatus PC-3 – Pilatus PC-6
Pilatus PC-7 – Pilatus PC-9 – Pilatus PC-12
Pilatus PC-21 – Pilatus PC-24
Pilatus PC-2 – Pilatus PC-3 – Pilatus PC-6
Pilatus PC-7 – Pilatus PC-9 – Pilatus PC-12
Pilatus PC-21 – Pilatus PC-24
Pilatus
The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp ("Tug") or "Alpine Anteater", was a target towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force.
The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp (“Tug”) or “Alpine Anteater”, was a target towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force from 1971–1987. The aircraft was developed during the latter half of the 1960s by the Swiss Federal Construction Works (Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette) (EKW), renamed Farner Werke (F+W) in 1972, as a conversion of the existing C-3603 ground attack/target towing aircraft. Following a successful prototype conversion in 1968, 23 aircraft were converted between 1971–1973 with 2 still flying in private hands.
Operational History
In 1967 the Swiss Air Force determined that their C-3603-1 target-towing aircraft still had approximately 10 years of structural life remaining, but that the plane’s Hispano-Suiza piston type engines were on the verge of wearing out, with replacements becoming scarce.[1] The C-3603-1 was based on a World War II era ground attack design which had been inspired by the design of the Messerschmitt Bf 109
| Role | Target tug |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Farner Werke |
| First flight | 19 August 1968 |
| Introduction | 1971 |
| Retired | 1987 |
| Primary user | Swiss Air Force |
| Produced | 1971–1973 |
| Number built | 24 |
| Developed from | EKW C-3603 |
Variants
Survivors
C-3605s are displayed in several museums, including the Flieger Flab Museum (Aviation Museum) in Dübendorf, Switzerland and the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California.[5] The C-3605 is also popular as a “warbird” with civilian owners.[2]
- HB-RDH, C-509, Wk. 289. Airworthy conditions, based in Sion (LSGS) Switzerland. Operated by 46 Aviation S.A.
- HB-RDB, C-494, Wk. 274. Airworthy conditions, based in St. Gallen-Altenrhein (LSZR) Switzerland.
Operators
General characteristics
- Crew: Two (pilot and winch operator)
- Length: 12.03 m (39 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 28.70 m2 (308.9 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.58
- Empty weight: 2,634 kg (5,807 lb)
- Gross weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,716 kg (8,192 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 510 litres (110 imp gal; 130 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming T53-L-7 turboprop, 820 kW (1,100 shp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard 53C51, 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in) diameter
Performance
Performance
- Maximum speed: 432 km/h (268 mph, 233 kn) at 3,050 metres (10,010 ft)
- Cruise speed: 420 km/h (260 mph, 230 kn)
- Stall speed: 98 km/h (61 mph, 53 kn) flaps down
- Never exceed speed: 600 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn)
- Range: 980 km (610 mi, 530 nmi) with 10% reserve
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 12.5 m/s (2,470 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 129 kg/m2 (26 lb/sq ft) at max takeoff weight
- Power/mass: 3.38 kg/shp (7.45 lb/shp) at max takeoff weight
Related
Armament
- SZW 52 target-towing winch, 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) cable; two underwing hardpoints for supply containers[4] or smoke generators.
Avionics
- 28V DC electrical system; full blind-flying instrumentation.
Related development
Aircrafttoaal encyclopedia
idgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte English: "Federal Constructions Works", short K+W, was a Swiss state-owned enterprise, with the aim of making the Swiss military independent of foreign sources for its equipment needs. It was established in 1867 in Thun and produced artillery, vehicles and other typical military equipment.