BLACKBURN RIPPON IIF

BLACKBURN T.5 RIPPON IIF - Designed in 1925 by Major F A Bumpus as a replacement for the Dart, the two-seat Blackburn Rippon torpedo-bomber served in the Fleet Air Arm until 1934. A single specimen with a Jupiter VIII engine was sole; to the Finnish Air Force in 1929 as the Blackburn Rippon IIP and 25 more were built by the Valtion Lentokonetehdas at Tampere under licence between 1931 and 1934 - seven with 480 hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter VI 9AK, eight with 535 hp Panther IIA and ten with 580 hp Pegasus II.M3. Single trial installations were made of the 525 hp Cyclone R-1750, 525 hp BMW-132A, 525 hp Hornet B, 650 hp Tiger I and 600 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr. Armament comprised one forward and one aft 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine gun, with provision for a torpedo under the fuselage and bombs under the wings. The Blackburn Rippon IIFs operated primarily in a reconnaissance role, serving with LeLv 16, 36 and 39 in the Winter War and then with LeLv 6 and 16 in the Continuation War, for anti-shipping patrols, casualty evacuation and supply carrying. Some operated on skis or floats, as required.

Max speed, 118 mph (190 km/h) at sea level, 128 mph (206 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,525 m). Initial rate of climb, 510 ft/min (2.60 ml sec). Service ceiling, 8,700 ft (2,650 m). Range, 1,127 mis (1,813 km). Empty weight, 3,850 Ib (1,748 kg) . Gross weight, 7,000 Ib (3,178 kg). Span, 45ft 6'/2 in (13. 87 m) . Length, 36 ft 9 in (11.2m). Wing area, 683 sqft (63.5 m').