Everything about The Gaf Nomad totally explained
The
GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "
short take off and landing" (STOL)
aircraft . It was designed and built by the
Australian Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) at
Fishermens Bend, Melbourne. The aircraft was featured in the television series
The Flying Doctors, a fictionalised account of the
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. The other main users of the design have included the
Australian Army and the
Australian Customs Service.
History
Development of the Nomad began in 1965 at the Government Aircraft Factories as Project N. The Australian government funded two prototypes in January 1970 for the twin engined, multi-purpose transport. The government was keen to build an aircraft in order to maintain aircraft production at GAF after the end of
Mirage production. The prototype first flew in 1971. The aircraft was now known as the
N2 and was aimed at the military and civilian markets. The designation
N22 was to be used for military aircraft (becoming
N22B in production) and
N24 was to be used for the lengthened civilian version. The first prototype (VH-SUP) flew on 23 July 1971.
The Nomad design was considered problematic and early
RAAF evaluations were critical of the design. An early, stretched-body variant crashed, killing the GAF chief test pilot and assistant head designer. The Nomad has been involved in a total of 24
total hull-loss accidents, and 76 fatalities.
Only 170 Nomads were manufactured, due to the limited foreign sales achieved by GAF. In 1986, GAF was incorporated into Aerospace Technologies of Australia.
Variants
N.2 Nomad » Prototype, two built.
;N.22 » Initial production version for 12 passengers for the Australian Army.
N.22B » 13 passenger civil version.
;N.22F Floatmaster » Twin floatplane version.
N.24 » Utility transport aircraft with a fuselage lengthened by 3ft 9in (1.14m).
;N.24A » Improved version for 17 passengers, 40 built.
N.24B »
;Nomad Missionmaster » Military transport and utility aircraft.
Nomad Searchmaster » Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft.
;Nomad N.22 Searchmaster B » Coastal patrol aircraft, seven built.
Nomad N.22 Searchmaster L » Improved version of the Searchmaster B, 11 built.
;Nomad N.22 Searchmaster LI » Improved version of the Searchmaster B, fitted with the APS-104(N) 2 radar.
Nomad N.22 Searchmaster LII » Improved version of the Searchmaster B, fitted with the APS-104(V) 5 radar.
Military operators
Specifications (N22B)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gaf Nomad'.
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