GAF Nomad
Government Aircraft Factories · Australia · first flew 1971 · transport aircraft
The GAF Nomad is an Australian twin-turboprop short take-off and landing utility transport designed and built by the Government Aircraft Factories in Melbourne. Intended to meet both civil and military utility requirements, it served with numerous small operators in the Asia-Pacific region.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slab-sided fuselage with large rectangular cabin windows |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-turboprop high-wing STOL utility transport made in Australia
- Distinctive strut-braced high wing with long-stroke fixed undercarriage
- Slab-sided fuselage with large rectangular cabin windows
The strut-braced high wing, prominent fixed undercarriage with long main-gear legs, and boxy fuselage give the Nomad a workmanlike appearance distinct from most turboprop twins.
Specifications
- The GAF Nomad has a length of 14.35 m (47 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.46 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 311 km/h (193 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in the late 1960s, the Nomad first flew in July 1971. It attracted orders from Australian military and police forces, as well as civil operators and militaries across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. A total of 172 were built before production ended in 1985.
Variants
The N22 is the standard short-fuselage version; the N24 has a stretched fuselage for more passengers or cargo. The Searchmaster variants carry radar for maritime patrol.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Australia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and others; many civil examples remain airworthy with small regional operators.
Related aircraft
- GAF N22 Nomad
- Dassault Mirage IIID
- Dassault Mirage IIIO
- AB 212
- Avro Shackleton AEW.2
- CASA C-212 Aviocar
- CASA C-212A Aviocar
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