F+W C-3605
Farner Werke · Switzerland · first flew 1968 · light aircraft
The F+W C-3605, nicknamed Schlepp (Tug) or Alpine Anteater, is a target-towing aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force from 1971 to 1987.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.03 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single Lycoming T53 turboprop in a long nose, extended by 1.82 m over the piston-engined C-3603
- Three vertical stabilisers
- Yellow-and-black striped high-visibility colour scheme in Swiss service
A converted wartime-style single-engine monoplane carrying an SZW 52 target-towing winch. It has two underwing hardpoints.
Specifications
- The F+W C-3605 has a length of 12.03 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.74 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 432 km/h (268 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Swiss Federal Construction Works, renamed Farner Werke in 1972, developed it in the late 1960s as a conversion of the C-3603 ground attack and target-towing aircraft. Early flight testing of the prototype began on 19 August 1968. Testing showed that a third vertical stabiliser was needed.
Variants
It was a conversion of the C-3603 with a Lycoming T53 turboprop in place of the Hispano-Suiza piston engine. Twenty-three aircraft were converted between 1971 and 1973.
Where you'll see it
Delivered between 1971 and January 1973, it served as the Swiss Air Force target tug until retirement in 1987 owing to airframe fatigue. Two were still flying in private hands.
Related aircraft
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