PTA – JINDIVIK

Development of the Jindivik began in 1948, with the first flight of the manned derivative in 1950 (known as the Pika) and the first flight of the unmanned version (Jindivik) in August two years later.

The Pika first flew in October 1950 from Woomera airfield. Known initially as Project ‘C’, two Pikas were built and logged over one hundred flying hours in testing. To date the only Australian designed and built manned jet aircraft, only one survived (A93-2 in the RAAF Museum in Point Cook) which ended its flying career in June 1954.

The Pika was powered by a single Armstrong Siddeley Adder turbojet, and had a maximum speed of over 755 km/h. Differing from the Jindivik in its engine intakes, undercarriage and cockpit, the addition of the pilot reduced the fuel load available for the aircraft, reducing its endurance to around 30 minutes. In addition, the aircraft could be both flown by the pilot or a ground station and provided excellent training for operators of the subsequent Jindivik with the added safety net of a pilot in the cockpit. Although the Pika suffered several minor accidents, the trials were a success, and among other results, proved that the Jindivik design did not require a rudder, saving cost and weight.

Above: A rare photograph of two test aircraft at Woomera, sometime between 1951 and 1954.  The second of the two Pikas can be seen in the foreground.  Below:  Pika C2 with one of the first Jindiviks. (Photos:  FAA Museum)

The Jindivik (the Aboriginal word for ‘hunted one’) followed the same basic form as the Pika except it had a single skid instead of an undercarriage and a dorsal air intake located where the Pika’s cockpit was. The Jindivik Mk.1 was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Adder (ASA.1) turbojet, which had been developed as a disposable engine for the project. Only 14 Mk.1s were ever made.

The Mk.2 was powered by a 1,640 lb Armstrong Siddeley Viper engine. This engine was designed for a short lifespan – about 10 hours, but a “long life” version was also produced for conventional aircraft.

Jindivik Mk.2s A92-52, 41, 49 & 39. A.T.U., Woomera, c.1955, via Mike Mirkovic.

Between 1952 and 1986, a total of 502 aircraft were built by the Government Aircraft Factory in Melbourne for use mainly by the RAF, RAAF and RAN, although a small number also went to Sweden and the USA.

The RAN operated a total of 42 of the Jindivik Mk.203A & B series target aircraft from 1966 until 1998. These were based at Jervis Bay Range facility and were used for live missile and gunnery practice. Its major role was crew training, mainly with Seacat and Tartar missiles, but also for Sidewinder air-to-air missiles carried by the RAN’s Skyhawk jet fighter-bombers. Elusive and fitted with counter measures it could effectively simulate an enemy missile or aircraft attack.

Originally designed as an expendable target the Jindivik’s features and reliability enabled it to fly many times without being destroyed. It had an excellent speed and high altitude performance; including low-level flight over the sea, and could trail smoke, also tow IR/RF decoys and flares to avoid destruction during live firings.

For special tasks the RAN N11 Jindivik Mk. 203A & B series could be modified with wing pods and wing extensions. Powered by a 1134 kg (2,500 lb) thrust Bristol Siddeley Viper 201 turbo jet (Rolls-Royce from 1966), it had a maximum speed of 490 knots (limit Mach 0.86), a Service ceiling of 57,000 ft and a range of 540 nm. Width with pods and wing extensions 7.92 m; Length 7.11 m; Height (on launch trolley) 2.59 m.