GAF Pika | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Role | Target drone |
| First flight | 28 August 1952 |
| Built | 517 |
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”. Two manually-controlled prototypes, were built as the GAF Pika (Project 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
Source: GAF Pika on Wikipedia
| GAF Pika | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | RAAF Museum, Point Cook |
| Photos | 47 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The GAF Pika was a single-seat, manned, experimental jet aircraft developed by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) in Australia. Its primary and sole role was to serve as a proof-of-concept testbed for the larger Jindivik pilotless target drone program. The Pika (an Aboriginal Australian word meaning “flier”) was essentially the Jindivik airframe modified with a cockpit, side air intakes (to clear space for the pilot), and a conventional retractable tricycle undercarriage. Only two prototypes were built (A93-1 and A93-2). By flying the Pika first, engineers could safely test the Jindivik’s unique aerodynamics, the performance of its jet engine, and the complex radio control systems before attempting unmanned flight, making it the only Australian-designed and built manned jet aircraft to date.
| Property | Typical Value (GAF Pika) |
|---|---|
| Type | Experimental Jet Aircraft / Testbed |
| National Origin | Australia |
| Manufacturer | Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) |
| First Flight | October 31, 1951 (or November 4, 1950, sources vary) |
| Crew | 1 (Pilot) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | Approx. 1,315 kg (2,900 lb) |
| Length | 7.08–7.49 m (23 ft 3 in – 24 ft 7 in) |
| Wingspan | 5.79–5.8 m (19 ft 0 in – 19 ft 0 in) |
Powerplant and Performance
- Engine: 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Adder ASA.1 turbojet engine.
- Thrust: Approx. 3.9 kN (1,050 lbf).
- Maximum Speed: Approx. 756 km/h (470 mph).
- Service Ceiling: Approx. 9,754 m (32,000 ft).
- Endurance: Limited to around 30 minutes due to the reduced fuel load necessitated by the pilot’s cockpit and undercarriage.
- Unique Purpose: The Pika could be flown manually by the pilot or controlled remotely by a ground station, providing crucial training for the future Jindivik operators.
- Air Intakes: Unlike the subsequent Jindivik (which had a dorsal intake), the Pika featured two side-mounted air intakes.
Service History and Legacy
- Test Program: The two prototypes logged over one hundred flights during testing at the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia.
- Key Findings: The trials confirmed the Jindivik’s aerodynamic stability and performance envelope. One significant result was proving that the final Jindivik design did not require a rudder, leading to cost and weight savings.
- Successor: The knowledge gained from the Pika directly led to the successful development and mass production of the GAF Jindivik, which became a globally exported, high-altitude target drone used by Australia, the UK, Sweden, and the US Navy.
- Final Status: The last flying Pika (A93-2) ended its flying career in 1954. The sole surviving prototype is preserved and on public display at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook, Victoria.
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