View source for Short Tucano

{{short description|Series of military training aircraft}}
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{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = Tucano
 |image =File:RAF Short S-312 Tucano T1 Lofting-2.jpg
 |caption = [[RAF]] Short Tucano T1, in display colours for 2008
 |type = [[Trainer aircraft]]
 |manufacturer = [[Short Brothers]]
 |national_origin = United Kingdom
 |first_flight = 14 February 1986
 |introduction = 1989
 |retired = 2019 (Royal Air Force)
 |status = In limited service
 |primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]] (Retired)
 |more_users = [[Kenya Air Force]] <br />[[Kuwait Air Force]]
 |produced = 1986–1995
 |number_built = 160
 |developed_from = [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano]]
 |developed_into =
 |variants =
}}

The '''Short Tucano''' is a two-seat [[turboprop]] basic [[trainer aircraft|trainer]] built by [[Short Brothers]] in [[Belfast, Northern Ireland]]. It is a [[licensed production|licence-built]] version of the Brazilian [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano]].

On 14 February 1986, the prototype conducted its [[maiden flight]] in Brazil before being delivered to Shorts to be used as a pattern aircraft and modified to meet [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) requirements and used for trials and demonstrations. The first Short-assembled aircraft flew on 30 December 1986; deliveries to the RAF commenced during June 1988. The final example of the type was completed in 1995. Maintenance and support of the RAF's Tucano fleet was typically [[outsource]]d to several private companies.

The RAF was the Tucano's primary operator, although export sales have been achieved with the nations of [[Kenya]] and [[Kuwait]]. A handful have also been purchased and piloted by private individuals. On 25 October 2019, the Tucano was withdrawn from RAF service and was replaced by the [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II|Beechcraft T-6C]]s.

==Design and development==
===Origins===
Development of the Short Tucano commenced in May 1984, following an agreement between Brazilian aircraft manufacturer [[Embraer]] and [[Northern Ireland]] aviation firm [[Short Brothers]] to collaborate on a response to an outstanding British requirement, which sought a replacement for the aging [[BAC Jet Provost]] basic trainer for the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF).<ref name = Fri87 /> For this purpose, the RAF had issued [[Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Air Staff Target 412]], defining the performance criteria it desired for a new high-performance [[turboprop]]-powered basic trainer. A [[short list]] was compiled of various aircraft that had been submitted in response; other than the Tucano, the types considered were the Swiss [[Pilatus PC-9]], the British [[NDN Firecracker|NDN-1T Turbo-Firecracker]] and the [[AAC Wamira|Australian Aircraft Consortium]]'s (AAC) [[AAC Wamira|A.20 Wamira II]].<ref name = Fri87 />

During 1984, Embraer dispatched the seventh EMB-312 airframe off the production line to Shorts, where it received numerous modifications in order to meet the AST-412 requirements.<ref name=Fri87/> During September 1984, this same aircraft was displayed at the [[Farnborough Airshow]]; by this point, it had been equipped with an uprated PT6A-25C2 engine and a ventral [[Air brake (aircraft)|air brake]], which reportedly enabled the Tucano to achieve the required stall speed of 60 kn.<ref name=Fri87/> However, tests undertaken at [[MOD Boscombe Down]] later on that year indicated the need to re-engine the aircraft in order to satisfy the RAF's requirement for time to height; accordingly, the [[Garrett TPE331]] was selected.<ref name=Fri87 />

On 21 March 1985, the Short Tucano proposal was declared the winner of the AST.412, receiving a contract worth £126 million for the provision of 130 aircraft, along with an option for a further 15;<ref name=Fri87/> this option was never taken up. The first flight of the prototype EMB-312G2, which was furnished with a four-bladed [[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell propeller]] and the Garrett TPE331-10 engine, took place in Brazil on 14 February of the following year. Shortly afterwards, this aircraft was disassembled and [[airlift]]ed to Short's [[Belfast]] facility on 29 March 1986, where it was reassembled and returned to the skies just ten days later.<ref name=sturt87>{{harvp|Sturtivant|1987|pp=243–244}}</ref> During June of that year, the TPE331-10 engine was replaced by the improved TPE331-12B, with a major difference being the integration of an [[FADEC|Electronic Engine Controller]] (EEC) system.<ref name=Fri87/><ref name = sturt87 />

===Production===
[[File:Shorts Tucano, Newtownards Air Show, June 1991 (01).jpg|thumb|Short-operated prototype, 1991]]

On 30 December 1986, the first standard production model Tucano T.Mk 1 was flown; its official rollout took place on 20 January 1987.<ref>{{harvp|Fricker|1987|p=238}}</ref> On 10 March 1987, the second aircraft made its first flight, and, by April, a third Tucano had joined the test fleet for clearance and final testing, which was largely undertaken at MOD Boscombe Down.<ref>{{harvp|Sturtivant|1987|p=244}}</ref> The fourth aircraft to be built was the first delivered to the RAF on 16 June 1988 at the [[Central Flying School]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Aircraft-Upgrades/Shorts-S312-Tucano-United-Kingdom.html |title=Shorts S312 Tucano (United Kingdom) |date= 11 June 2012 |publisher=Jane's Information |access-date= 19 October 2012}}</ref> Deliveries would continue to the RAF for another five years, the final aircraft arriving on 25 January 1993.<ref name=ukserials>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukserials.com/prodlists.php?type=1107 |title=Short Tucano |publisher=UK Serial Resource Centre |access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>

In addition to the sizable order for the RAF, multiple export customers emerged for the Shorts-produced Tucanos. The [[Kenyan Air Force]] ordered a total of 12 units while a further 16 Tucanos were exported to Kuwait. Those Tucanos delivered to the [[Kenyan Air Force]] were combat-capable; they were armed for the purposes of both weapons training and light attack duties; both expoet aircraft variants are fitted with four [[hard point]]s, each capable of mounting various [[rocket pod]]s, [[cannon]]s, [[bomb]]s, and [[external fuel tank]]s.<ref>although the Kuwaiti aircraft were not equipped with the control systems for weapons but did have underwing fuel tanks. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%200397.html "Kuwait orders Shorts Tucano trainers."] ''Flight International'', 18 February 1989. p. 3.</ref>

Due to its Garrett engine, the Short Tucano is more responsive to thrust changes and is somewhat noisier than the original Tucano.<ref>Wagstaff, Patty. [https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/a-twirl-in-the-tucano/#.XXVLZ2JYaUk "A Twirl In The Tucano."] ''Plane & Pilot'', 21 October 2016.</ref> In addition to the revised engine, the major differences of the Short Tucano are a strengthened airframe for an improved fatigue life, a cockpit layout similar to the RAF's [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawk]] advanced trainer, a revised oxygen system, a [[flight data recorder]], a four-bladed propeller, ventral airbrake and restyled wingtips. Two [[Martin-Baker]] MB 8LC [[ejection seat]]s are used and the canopy was modified to meet the RAF's [[bird strike]] requirements. During its production run, Shorts commonly promoted the airframe as being "100% British-built".<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200239.html "Shorts Tucano has got what it takes to join the R.A.F."] ''Flight International'', 26 January 1985. p. 25.</ref> In order to meet RAF requirements, the EMB-312 has some 900 modifications, which reduces its commonality with the original aircraft to roughly 20% of its content.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%202306.html |title=Military Aircraft of the World |editor-first=Allan |editor-last=Winn |journal=Flight International |issue=4229 |volume=138 |date=15 August 1990}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Tucanos - RIAT 2012 (7753923346).jpg|thumb|A pair of Tucanos in-flight at the 2012 [[Royal International Air Tattoo]]]]

During June 1988, the first Tucano deliveries were made to the RAF; induction of the type commenced thereafter. The type has been principally operated by [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAF|No. 1 Flying Training School]], based at [[RAF Linton-on-Ouse]], where it has been used to provide basic fast-jet flying training to RAF and RN student pilots, on [[No. 72 Squadron RAF|72 (Reserve) Squadron]].<ref name=raf>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/tucano.cfm |title=Tucano |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=5 February 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209174422/http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/tucano.cfm |archive-date=9 December 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Typically, student pilots would fly around 130 hours during their training course on the Tucano before progressing to the [[jet propulsion|jet-powered]] [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawk T2]] aircraft, based at [[RAF Valley]].<ref name=raf/>

{{Quote box |align=right |width=21% |quote="For the price of one Eurofighter we could have a squadron of Super Tucanos. They can carry the same ordnance as a Harrier, with its loud bang, but unlike the Harrier, which can be over the battlefield for no more than 20 minutes, Tucanos can loiter overhead for hours on end, ready for use in a ground attack at a moment’s notice."|source=<small>House of Commons debate, October 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071016/debtext/71016-0011.htm |title=Column 744 |publisher=UK House of Commons |date=16 October 2007 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref></small>}}
The Short Tucano succeeded the [[BAC Jet Provost]] as the basic trainer for the RAF, preparing the student pilots for progression to the Hawk T1 advanced trainer aircraft. Following its introduction, the Tucano had reportedly proven to be roughly 70% cheaper to operate than its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armedforces-int.com/article/tucano-display-season-2004.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721004858/http://www.armedforces-int.com/article/tucano-display-season-2004.html |url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2012 |title=Tucano Display Season 2004 |publisher=Armed Forces International |access-date=14 September 2012 }}</ref> The Tucano's accident record has also been remarkably better than other ab-initio training aircraft, with only five aircraft written off with no fatalities in over 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=TUCA|title = Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety WikiBase > ASN Aviation Safety Database results}}</ref>

In March 2007, while discussing the British military contribution to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British Parliament]] discussed the concept of replacing the region's detachment of RAF [[British Aerospace Harrier II|Harriers]] and [[Panavia Tornado|Tornados]], which were being used to provide [[close air support]] to Allied forces, with a number of armed Short Tucanos, which would be re-roled as a dedicated [[counter-insurgency]] asset.<ref name = "flight mar2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raf-heralds-emergence-of-combat-istar-over-afghanistan-339632/ |title=RAF heralds emergence of 'combat ISTAR' over Afghanistan |publisher=Flight Global |last=Hoyle |first=Graig |date=23 March 2010 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> Such use would have required extensive modifications to the RAF aircraft, as they were not fitted with underwing [[hard point]]s for mounting armaments and equipment upon. [[Air chief marshal|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Stephen Dalton]] was dismissive of this suggested use of the Tucano, stating that it would cost lives amongst those on the ground and damage Britain's credibility and influence within the coalition forces in Afghanistan, and criticising its lack of operational flexibility.<ref name = "flight mar2010"/>

The RAF's Tucanos have been typically maintained by private companies, defence firm [[VT Group]] operated one such support contract during the early 2010s.<ref name=VTg/> During July 2008, the Tucano's envisioned retirement date was moved from 2010 to around 2012, although further extension seemed likely.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-to-extend-use-of-rafs-tucano-trainers-225047/ |title = UK to extend use of RAF's Tucano trainers |publisher = Flight Global |date = 7 July 2008 |first = Craig |last = Hoyle}}</ref> At one point, Shorts with  [[Marshall Aerospace]] as their contractor championed the concept of upgrading the Tucano fleet as an inexpensive means of meeting the RAF's future basic trainer requirements. The prospective upgrade introduced a 'glass' cockpit with HUD, a number of aerodynamic refinements which along with minor engine upgrades, Shorts analysis showed could raise that the max. SL speed to over 300kts. This and gains in time to climb, moved it closer to the Pilatus PC21 capability. The concept development was funded by MoD but was ultimately dismissed as not being cost-effective.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-2008-low-cost-tucano-upgrade-could-solv-225466/ |title = FARNBOROUGH 2008: Low-cost Tucano upgrade could solve UK training need |publisher = Flight Global |date = 15 July 2008}}</ref>

By 2010, the Tucano fleet was scheduled to be withdrawn from RAF service in 2015, at which point it was to have been replaced by the winner of the [[UK Military Flying Training System]] (UKMFTS) programme.<ref name=VTg>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vt-lands-new-deal-to-support-rafs-tucano-fleet-338659/ |title=VT lands new deal to support RAF's Tucano fleet |publisher=Flight Global |last=Hoyle |first= Graig |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> However, the type's out of service date was put back to Oct. 2019; the last of the [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II|Beechcraft T-6C]]s, the Tucano's direct replacement, was delivered to RAF Valley on 3 December 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-t-6c-arrival-completes-uk-trainer-fleet-ren-454167/ |title = PICTURE: T-6C arrival completes UK trainer fleet renewal |publisher = Flight Global |first = Craig |last = Hoyle |date = 5 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/t-6c-to-head-uk-military-training-renewal-405203/ |title = T-6C to head UK military training renewal |publisher = Flight Global |date = 24 October 2014 |first = Craig |last = Hoyle}}</ref>

On 25 October 2019, the Tucano was withdrawn from RAF service; to mark the type's retirement, an aerial display was performed at [[RAF Linton-on-Ouse]], [[North Yorkshire]], which was also set for closure.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17996434.final-flights-raf-linton-ouse-prepares-closure/ |title = Final flights as RAF Linton on Ouse prepares for closure |publisher = The Northern Echo |date = 29 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.aerosociety.com/news/mod-to-close-raf-scampton-and-raf-linton-on-ouse-in-new-budget-cuts/ |title = MoD to close RAF Scampton and RAF Linton-on-Ouse in new budget cuts |publisher = Royal Aeronautical Society |date = 25 July 2018}}</ref> The last Shorts Tucano operational flight was completed with the first production aircraft ZF135.

==Accidents and incidents==
On 22 Feb 1990, the first export Tucano Mk 51 ''ZH203'' (destined for Kenya) crashed near Rathlin Island due to tailplane flutter in high speed weapons carriage trials, killing Shorts chief test pilot Allan Deacon, who ejected but drowned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=55330|title=Accident Short Tucano Mk 51 ZH203, 22 Feb 1990|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

The RAF lost five aircraft in service, all non-fatal (four involved ejections): ''ZF316'' on 12 May 1992,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=156040|title = Incident Short Tucano T1 ZF316, 12 May 1992}}</ref> ''ZF270'' on 13 May 1996,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55329|title=Accident Short Tucano T1 ZF270, 13 May 1996|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> ''ZF293'' on 22 Aug 2000,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=191066|title = Incident Shorts Tucano T.1 ZF293, 22 Aug 2000}}</ref> ''ZF344'' on 12 Mar 2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=58940|title=Incident Short Tucano T1 ZF344, 12 Mar 2009|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> and ''ZF349'' on 8 Jan 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=152378|title = Incident Short Tucano T1 ZF349, 08 Jan 2013}}</ref>

On 22 June 2015, movie soundtrack composer [[James Horner]] died when the Tucano he was piloting crashed in central [[California]] in a remote region of the [[Los Padres National Forest]] about 60 miles (97&nbsp;km) north of [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]]. Horner was the sole occupant of the plane.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Matt |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oscar-composer-plane-crash-pilot-killed-20150622-story.html |title=Plane owned by Oscar-winning composer James Horner crashes; 1 dead |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=22 June 2015 |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-horner-dead-titanic-composer-804365 |last = Barnes |first = Mike |title = James Horner, Film Composer for 'Titanic' and 'Braveheart,' Dies in Plane Crash |work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date = 22 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/james-horner-oscar-winning-film-composer-dies-in-plane-crash-at-61/2015/06/24/a634533a-19ba-11e5-93b7-5eddc056ad8a_story.html |last = Schudel |first = Matt |title = James Horner, Oscar-winning film composer, dies in plane crash at 61 |newspaper = [[Washington Post]] |date = 24 June 2015}}</ref>

==Variants==
;Tucano T1
:Two-seat basic trainer for the [[RAF]] – 130 delivered (one other aircraft (T42) was severely damaged by an IRA bomb blast whilst in final assembly in 1990 and was subsequently sold privately to the USA in 2013 by Shorts<ref name="UKserials">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukserials.com/prodlists.php?type=1107|title=Demobbed Aircraft|website=www.ukserials.com}}</ref>).
;Tucano Mk.51
:Export version for [[Kenya]] – 12 delivered (13 were flown as the first was lost - see above).
;Tucano Mk.52
:Export version for [[Kuwait]] – 16 delivered.

==Operators==
[[File:TucanoT1.jpg|thumb|right|Short Tucano T1 at [[RIAT]] 2005]]
;{{KEN}}
* [[Kenya Air Force]] (1990 – present)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/kenya/air-force-modernization.htm |title=Kenya Air Force - Modernization |website=Global Security |access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
** Flying Training School<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scramble.nl/orbats/kenya |title=Kenya Defence Force |website=Scramble |access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

===Former operators===
;{{KWT}}
* [[Kuwait Air Force]] (1995 – 2025)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabaviation.com/en-us/airpower/kuwaitiairforce.aspx |title=Kuwait Air Force |website=Arab Aviation |access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
** 19th Training Squadron<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scramble.nl/orbats/kuwait/airforce |title=Kuwait Air Force |website=Scramble |access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref> (Grounded)
;{{UK}}
* [[Empire Test Pilots' School]]
* [[Royal Air Force]] (June 1988 – October 2019)<ref>{{cite web |first=Derek |last=Bower |url=https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2019/08/20/special-marks-for-no-72-squadron-as-raf-prepares-to-retire-tucano/ |title=Special marks for No 72 Squadron as RAF prepares to retire Tucano |publisher=Air Forces Monthly |date=25 August 2019 |access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
** [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAF|No. 1 Flying Training School]]
*** [[No. 72 Squadron RAF|No. 72 Squadron]] (July 2002 – October 2019)
*** [[No. 76 Squadron RAF|No. 76 (Reserve) Squadron]] (May 2007 – May 2011)
*** [[No. 207 Squadron RAF|No. 207 (Reserve) Squadron]] (July 2002 – January 2012)
** [[No. 3 Flying Training School RAF|No. 3 Flying Training School]]
** [[No. 7 Flying Training School RAF|No. 7 Flying Training School]]

==Aircraft on display==
*G-BTUC Prototype Tucano T.1 at [[Ulster Aviation Society]]<ref>https://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/tucano</ref>
*ZF167 Tucano T.1 at [[South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum]], Doncaster <ref>https://www.southyorkshireaircraftmuseum.org.uk/our-aircraft</ref>
*ZF372 Tucano T.1 at [[Newark Air Museum]], Newark on Trent <ref>http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Tucano_ZF372</ref>
*ZF378 Tucano T.1 at [[Ulster Aviation Society]], Northern Ireland <ref>https://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=1107</ref>
*ZF448 Tucano T.1 at [[Yorkshire Air Museum]], Elvington <ref>https://yorkshireairmuseum.org/toucano-touches-down/</ref>

==Specifications (Tucano)==
[[File:Tucano Mk.52 - KAF112-McGrath.jpg|thumb|Kuwait Air Force Tucano Mk.52]]
[[File:ZF317-Tucano-1449.jpg|thumb|right|Royal Air Force Tucano in 2010 painted for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain to represent a Spitfire of [[No. 92 Squadron RAF]] as flown by [[Brian Kingcome]] in 1940]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988–1989 <ref name="jawa88">{{Harvp|Taylor|1988|pp=13–14, 308–309}}</ref> and Tucano T Mk 1 Aircrew Manual, 2015'' <ref name="RAF">{{Harvp|Royal Air Force|2015|pp=5–11}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=2
|capacity=
|length m=9.86
|length ft=
|length in=
|span m=11.28
|span ft=
|span in=
|swept m=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept ft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept in=<!-- swing-wings -->
|height m=3.40
|height ft=
|height in=
|wing area sqm=19.40
|wing area sqft=208.8
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=NACA 63<sub>2</sub>A-415 (root), 63A-212 (tip)
|empty weight kg=2017
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=3275

|fuel capacity={{convert|724|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Garrett TPE331]]-12B
|eng1 type=[[turboprop]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=1151<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|more power=

|prop blade number=4<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=[[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]] [[constant speed propeller|constant speed]], fully feathering, [[aluminium]], reversible-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=2.39<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=7<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=10<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=507
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at {{convert|10000–15000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|cruise speed kmh=407<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|20000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} (econ. cruise)
|never exceed speed kmh=518
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=([[Equivalent airspeed|EAS]])
|stall speed kmh=80
|stall speed note=(flaps and gear down) (EAS)
|range km=1665
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|endurance=5 h 12 min
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=34000
|g limits=+7/-3.6<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=3510
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|more performance=*'''Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft):''' {{convert|524|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* '''Landing run from 15 m (50 ft):''' {{convert|573|m|ft|abbr=on}}
<!--
        Armament
-->
|armament=* Provision for 1,000 lb (454 kg) of stores on four underwing hardpoints, but not on RAF Tucanos
|guns=
|bombs=
|rockets=
|missiles=
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano]]
* [[Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Pilatus PC-7]]
* [[Pilatus PC-9]]
* [[PZL-130 Orlik]]
* [[T-6 Texan II]]
|lists=
* [[List of active United Kingdom military aircraft]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Fri87>{{Harvp|Fricker|1987|p=237}}</ref>
}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|last=Fricker|first=John|editor-last=Green|editor-first=William|title=RAF Prepares for Tucano|journal=Air International|volume=32|issue=5|location=Bromley, UK|pages=237–239|publisher=Fine Scroll|date=May 1987|issn=0306-5634}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Lambert|editor-first=Mark|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1993–94|year=1993|publisher=Jane's Data Division|location=Coulsdon, UK|isbn=0-7106-1066-1}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Taylor|editor-first=John W. R.|editor-link=John W. R. Taylor|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988–1989|year=1988|publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Coulsdon, UK|isbn=0-7106-0867-5}}
*{{Cite book|author=Royal Air Force |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/520317/response/1248501/attach/3/Tucano%20Aircrew%20Manual.pdf?|title=Tucano T Mk 1 Aircrew Manual|publisher=United Kingdom Royal Air Force|year=2015|location=Salisbury|pages=5–11|language=English}}
* {{cite book|last=Sturtivant|first=Ray|editor-last=Darlington|editor-first=Ray|title=The History of Britain's Military Training Aircraft|publisher=Haynes Publishing Group|location=Somerset, UK|pages=241–244|date=1987|isbn=0-85429-579-8}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Short Tucano}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111209174422/http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/tucano.cfm Aircraft of the Royal Air Force]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121217020427/http://www.raf.mod.uk/tucanodisplayteam/ Royal Air Force Tucano display team]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/militaryaviation1946-2006cutaways/short-tucano-cutaway-14186.aspx Cutaway of Short Tucano from flightglobal.com]
* [https://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/ Ulster Aviation Society website (see displayed Tucano G-BTUC)]

{{Short Brothers aircraft}}
{{British military aircraft since World War II}}

[[Category:1980s British military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Short Brothers aircraft|Tucano]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1986]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]