Zebra
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http://www.gippsaero.com/articles/files/Nomad_40_Years_Young__3_.pdf
GIPPSAERO , A Mahindra Aerospace Company
40 years ago this month the Australian designed and built GAF Nomad multi role aircraft first flew.
A healthy number of Nomads are still active around the world and Australian aircraft manufacturer
GippsAero, a Mahindra Aerospace Company, is working hard to bring its Nomad based GA18 twin
turbine multi role aircraft into production.
The Nomad began life in the late 1960s at the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF), near Melbourne
as Project N. The Australian Government, which was keen to maintain aircraft production skills at
GAF after the Mirage III fighter production ended, funded the building of two prototypes in January1970 for the twin-engined, multi-purpose transport market.
The first prototype (VH-SUP) flew for the first time on 23 July 1971 with Stewart Pearce at the
controls. The aircraft, known as the N2, was aimed at both military and civilian markets. The
designation was changed to N22and became theN22B in production. Many examples of the 12 seat
N22Bhave been used in various roles around the world. An 18 seat development was designated the
N24 and later the N24A (with an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW)).
In 1972 the government approved an initial production run of 20 Nomads, including 11 for the
Australian Army. The Army Nomads were known as Mission Mastersand were delivered between
1975 and 1977. The Australian Defence Forces eventually operated 29 Nomads, including 8 N24s.
The Nomad is operated by the military services of the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, and was
alsoflown by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.Major civil users included the Royal Flying Doctor
Service, Northern Territory Medical Service, Northern Territory Aerial Works, Skywest Airlines,
Australian Customs, many Commuter airlines in Australia, Holland, PNG, the USA and the US
Customs service.
GIPPSAERO , A Mahindra Aerospace Company
40 years ago this month the Australian designed and built GAF Nomad multi role aircraft first flew.
A healthy number of Nomads are still active around the world and Australian aircraft manufacturer
GippsAero, a Mahindra Aerospace Company, is working hard to bring its Nomad based GA18 twin
turbine multi role aircraft into production.
The Nomad began life in the late 1960s at the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF), near Melbourne
as Project N. The Australian Government, which was keen to maintain aircraft production skills at
GAF after the Mirage III fighter production ended, funded the building of two prototypes in January1970 for the twin-engined, multi-purpose transport market.
The first prototype (VH-SUP) flew for the first time on 23 July 1971 with Stewart Pearce at the
controls. The aircraft, known as the N2, was aimed at both military and civilian markets. The
designation was changed to N22and became theN22B in production. Many examples of the 12 seat
N22Bhave been used in various roles around the world. An 18 seat development was designated the
N24 and later the N24A (with an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW)).
In 1972 the government approved an initial production run of 20 Nomads, including 11 for the
Australian Army. The Army Nomads were known as Mission Mastersand were delivered between
1975 and 1977. The Australian Defence Forces eventually operated 29 Nomads, including 8 N24s.
The Nomad is operated by the military services of the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, and was
alsoflown by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.Major civil users included the Royal Flying Doctor
Service, Northern Territory Medical Service, Northern Territory Aerial Works, Skywest Airlines,
Australian Customs, many Commuter airlines in Australia, Holland, PNG, the USA and the US
Customs service.
