Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Close up walk around of an RFB Fantrainer 400 & 600 at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok, Thailand.
From Wikipedia:
Fantrainer & RFB Fantrainer 600
Role: Basic trainer
Manufacturer: Rhein-Flugzeugbau (RFB)
Introduction: 1982
Number built: 50
Two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a mid-mounted ducted fan propulsion system. Pilots have confirmed the type to provide a true "jet feel" for a reasonable price.
The Royal Thai Air Force operates the FT400 and FT600 versions, using it to train ab initio pilots who then went on to fly the Northrop F-5E fighter aircraft.
On 27 October 1977, the first prototype flew, powered by a pair of EA871 110 kW (150 hp) NSU Wankel engines.[3] The second prototype (D-EATI) used a single 310 kW (420 shp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, flew on 31 May 1978.
RFB Fantrainer 400
There are two models, the Fantrainer 400, with a 545 shp (406 kW) Allison 250-C20B, and the Fantrainer 600, with a 650 shp (480 kW) Allison 250-C30.
In 1982, the Royal Thai Air Force contracted for 47 aircraft, 31 model 400s and 16 600s. They were assigned to the 402 Squadron and used as a step-up trainer for their future F-5 Freedom Fighter pilots. The first 4 aircraft were constructed in Germany while the others were assembled in Thailand from kits. After an initial period of operation, the aircraft's glass fiber wings were replaced with aluminum wings.[7]
The RFB Fantrainer's most distinctive feature is its mid-mounted ducted fan. This reportedly delivers performance akin to conventional jets, but at significantly reduced costs. The engine and fan installation incorporates a constant speed turbine, with a reduction gear take the 6,000 rpm output of the engine and produce a fan speed of 3,090 rpm. The constant speed five-bladed fan uses a simple blade profile. Noise reduction measures were implemented, including the use of five bladed plastic-covered wooden fan. The use of a foam-plastic rubbing strip enables the fan to maintain the optimum blade-tip-to-shroud gap, of 1/1000th of the fan's diameter; the ring slot ensures smooth air flow even at high power and low airspeed.
The Fantrainer's forward fuselage and center section is formed around a metal box keel; the cockpit section, is affixed to the keel and is mainly molded plastic. This enables the cockpit shape to be readily modified, allowing it to be adapted to imitate various aircraft. The cockpit is relatively spacious, providing room for a sizable instrumentation panel and ample side consoles, so the Fantrainer can be equipped akin to an air force's operational aircraft.[2] The rear fuselage uses a conventional metal structure.
To lower maintenance requirements, a modular approach is present in the Fantrainer's design, many of its systems are grouped together into single detachable units.[10]
It has a forward-swept wing, angled at 6°, to prevent obscuring the rear position's visibility. A mixture of carbon and fiberglass is used for various elements, including the Friese ailerons and air brakes.[10] Normal behavior of both ailerons and air brakes has been observed even during deliberately-induced stall conditions.[12]
Variants
Fantrainer 400
Stretched fuselage version with metal wings, powered by a 406 kW (545 hp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine.
Fantrainer 600 Improved version, powered by a 485-kW (650-hp) Allison 250-C30 turboshaft engine.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89[13]
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 9.74 m (31 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.16 m (10 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 14.00 m2 (150.7 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 6.8:1
Airfoil: Eppler 502
Empty weight: 1,160 kg (2,557 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250 C30 turboshaft, 480 kW (650 shp)
Propellers: 5-bladed constant-speed ducted fan, 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) diameter
Performance
Maximum speed: 417 km/h (259 mph, 225 kn) at 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Never exceed speed: 555 km/h (345 mph, 300 kn)
Range: 1,037 km (644 mi, 560 nmi)
Endurance: 4 hours, 6 minutes
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft) g limits: +6/-3 G
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (3,000 ft/min)
Close up walk around of an RFB Fantrainer 400 & 600 at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok, Thailand.
From Wikipedia:
Fantrainer & RFB Fantrainer 600
Role: Basic trainer
Manufacturer: Rhein-Flugzeugbau (RFB)
Introduction: 1982
Number built: 50
Two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a mid-mounted ducted fan propulsion system. Pilots have confirmed the type to provide a true "jet feel" for a reasonable price.
The Royal Thai Air Force operates the FT400 and FT600 versions, using it to train ab initio pilots who then went on to fly the Northrop F-5E fighter aircraft.
On 27 October 1977, the first prototype flew, powered by a pair of EA871 110 kW (150 hp) NSU Wankel engines.[3] The second prototype (D-EATI) used a single 310 kW (420 shp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, flew on 31 May 1978.
RFB Fantrainer 400
There are two models, the Fantrainer 400, with a 545 shp (406 kW) Allison 250-C20B, and the Fantrainer 600, with a 650 shp (480 kW) Allison 250-C30.
In 1982, the Royal Thai Air Force contracted for 47 aircraft, 31 model 400s and 16 600s. They were assigned to the 402 Squadron and used as a step-up trainer for their future F-5 Freedom Fighter pilots. The first 4 aircraft were constructed in Germany while the others were assembled in Thailand from kits. After an initial period of operation, the aircraft's glass fiber wings were replaced with aluminum wings.[7]
The RFB Fantrainer's most distinctive feature is its mid-mounted ducted fan. This reportedly delivers performance akin to conventional jets, but at significantly reduced costs. The engine and fan installation incorporates a constant speed turbine, with a reduction gear take the 6,000 rpm output of the engine and produce a fan speed of 3,090 rpm. The constant speed five-bladed fan uses a simple blade profile. Noise reduction measures were implemented, including the use of five bladed plastic-covered wooden fan. The use of a foam-plastic rubbing strip enables the fan to maintain the optimum blade-tip-to-shroud gap, of 1/1000th of the fan's diameter; the ring slot ensures smooth air flow even at high power and low airspeed.
The Fantrainer's forward fuselage and center section is formed around a metal box keel; the cockpit section, is affixed to the keel and is mainly molded plastic. This enables the cockpit shape to be readily modified, allowing it to be adapted to imitate various aircraft. The cockpit is relatively spacious, providing room for a sizable instrumentation panel and ample side consoles, so the Fantrainer can be equipped akin to an air force's operational aircraft.[2] The rear fuselage uses a conventional metal structure.
To lower maintenance requirements, a modular approach is present in the Fantrainer's design, many of its systems are grouped together into single detachable units.[10]
It has a forward-swept wing, angled at 6°, to prevent obscuring the rear position's visibility. A mixture of carbon and fiberglass is used for various elements, including the Friese ailerons and air brakes.[10] Normal behavior of both ailerons and air brakes has been observed even during deliberately-induced stall conditions.[12]
Variants
Fantrainer 400
Stretched fuselage version with metal wings, powered by a 406 kW (545 hp) Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine.
Fantrainer 600 Improved version, powered by a 485-kW (650-hp) Allison 250-C30 turboshaft engine.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89[13]
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 9.74 m (31 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.16 m (10 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 14.00 m2 (150.7 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 6.8:1
Airfoil: Eppler 502
Empty weight: 1,160 kg (2,557 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250 C30 turboshaft, 480 kW (650 shp)
Propellers: 5-bladed constant-speed ducted fan, 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) diameter
Performance
Maximum speed: 417 km/h (259 mph, 225 kn) at 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Never exceed speed: 555 km/h (345 mph, 300 kn)
Range: 1,037 km (644 mi, 560 nmi)
Endurance: 4 hours, 6 minutes
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft) g limits: +6/-3 G
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (3,000 ft/min)
