RTAF-4 Chanthra
Royal Thai Air Force Science and Weapon Systems Development Centre · Thailand · first flew 1972 · light aircraft
The RTAF-4 Chanthra, officially designated B.ThO.4 and later B.F.17, is a single-engine two-seat primary trainer built by the Royal Thai Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine two-seat primary trainer developed from the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
- Redesigned cockpit and tail sections compared with the Chipmunk
- Low wing with a Continental IO-360 engine in the nose
A Chipmunk-derived tandem two-seat trainer with a single nose-mounted engine; the Thai version differs in its cockpit and tail.
Specifications
- The RTAF-4 Chanthra has a length of 7.8 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.55 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 258 km/h (160 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was developed from the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk used by the Royal Thai Air Force. Production began in February 1971 and the prototype first flew on 25 September 1972.
Variants
Twelve aircraft were produced, with a redesigned cockpit and tail sections compared with the Chipmunk it was developed from.
Where you'll see it
The aircraft entered service in 1974. One unit has been preserved at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum at Don Mueang, Bangkok.
Related aircraft
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