fatman17
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While looking for a replacement for the Air Force's Harvards and Army's L-19s in the primary training role during the early 1970's, Pakistan's military opted for the 200hp Saab MFI-17 Supporter.
In June 1974, a contract was signed that included the delivery of five MFI-17Bs, but more importantly the supply of kits that would allow them to be built in Pakistan. This would effectively see the creation of the aptly titled Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), which cut its teeth on assembling the MFI-17, but now is building its own Chino-Pak JF-17 Thunder fighter.
Two MFI-17Bs were delivered to the PAF Academy at Risalpur on September 2, 1974, where they were evaluated by instructor pilots. Several improvements were suggested in the cockpit, and delivery of the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) commenced in October 1974.
Under Phase-1 of the MFI-17 contract, AMF commenced production, in June 1975, of both the SKD and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits, which by 1982 had produced 92 Mushshaks. For Phase-2, the Mushshak was built from raw materials, initially at PAF Academy Risalpur, until the production line was set up at Pakistan Aerospace Complex (PAC) Kamra.
In 1982, Saab stopped supplying parts for the MFI-17 Supporter, by which time AMF was already supporting its aircraft and full-scale production was well under way, with the first indigenous Mushshak being rolled out in December 1983.
Between 1983 and 1995, AMF built 188 Mushshaks. In the PAF, they served the Primary Flying Training Wing at PAF Academy Risalpur, as well as all the base station flights, while the Pakistan Army used them for Forward Air Controlling, Recce and transport. The PAF acquired the majority of the Mushshaks, but there were also some breakthroughs overseas- to the middle-east market where three airforces also brought them; Oman (3), Iran (25) and Syria (6).
In 1995 AMF launched a newer improved version of the Mushshak, called the Super Mushshak, which made its first flight on August 15, 1996. With its improved six-cylinder Textron Lycoming 260hp engine, the aircraft can now operate at a crusing speed of 130kts (240km/h), which is around 25kts (62km/h) faster than the original aircraft. Thankfully, another improvement was the cockpit's air-conditioning system. Despite the aircraft being flown in so many countries where temperatures regularly reach 50*C the original system was based upon the Swedish requirement, and as we all know Sweden isnt renowned for its scorching temperatures.
The PAF ordered approx. 50 Super Mushshaks, and rather than acquiring brand new aircraft the new upgrades were simply integrated into the original Mushshak airframe. The first aircraft was handed over at Risalpur on May 16, 2001 and all the original Mushshaks have now been replaced, however, most of the base communications flights continue with the older version.
Not to be outdone, the Pakistan Army has also ordered a large number of Super Mushshaks and in 2001, evaluated a Super Mushshak driven by a three-blade Hartzell propeller, for improved ground clearence from rough airstrips, but it dropped its interest.
Having marketed the aircraft throughout the Middle East, AMF clinched its first military overseas Super Mushshak sale in late 2004 when the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) purchased five new aircraft and upgraded its three original Mushshaks. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) also ordered 20 new Super Mushshaks, to replace their ageing Cessna 172, as well as a simulator, while five PAF instructors were seconded to Riyadh to oversee the aircraft service introduction.
Currently AMF is developing a glass cockpit for the Super Mushshak in a bid to allow pilots an easier transition from this 70s era training aircraft into a 21st century jet trainer with all its latest avionics. if AMF succeeds with its plan, to introduce to many third world countries, the K-8 Karakoram as lead-in fighter trainer to the JF-17 Thunder, then these air-arms will also need a good primary trainer and the Super Mushshak could probably fit the bill. it isnt just modern aircraft these countries crave, but also affordability, and thats where it will be difficult to get a "better bang for the buck" than the improved Super Mushshak.
The Mushshak has served Pakistan well. its military rely upon it to train its pilots, while AMF has cut its teeth on manufacturing aircraft. without the experience of building the Super Mushshak, as well as parts for the K-8, one wonders if AMF would have had the confidence to take on such a complicated project as the JF-17. AFM
Operators: Pakistan Air Force (100), Pakistan Army Aviation Corps (50), Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (25), Royal Air Force of Oman (3), Royal Saudi Air Force (20), Syrian Arab Air Force (6)
In June 1974, a contract was signed that included the delivery of five MFI-17Bs, but more importantly the supply of kits that would allow them to be built in Pakistan. This would effectively see the creation of the aptly titled Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), which cut its teeth on assembling the MFI-17, but now is building its own Chino-Pak JF-17 Thunder fighter.
Two MFI-17Bs were delivered to the PAF Academy at Risalpur on September 2, 1974, where they were evaluated by instructor pilots. Several improvements were suggested in the cockpit, and delivery of the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) commenced in October 1974.
Under Phase-1 of the MFI-17 contract, AMF commenced production, in June 1975, of both the SKD and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits, which by 1982 had produced 92 Mushshaks. For Phase-2, the Mushshak was built from raw materials, initially at PAF Academy Risalpur, until the production line was set up at Pakistan Aerospace Complex (PAC) Kamra.
In 1982, Saab stopped supplying parts for the MFI-17 Supporter, by which time AMF was already supporting its aircraft and full-scale production was well under way, with the first indigenous Mushshak being rolled out in December 1983.
Between 1983 and 1995, AMF built 188 Mushshaks. In the PAF, they served the Primary Flying Training Wing at PAF Academy Risalpur, as well as all the base station flights, while the Pakistan Army used them for Forward Air Controlling, Recce and transport. The PAF acquired the majority of the Mushshaks, but there were also some breakthroughs overseas- to the middle-east market where three airforces also brought them; Oman (3), Iran (25) and Syria (6).
In 1995 AMF launched a newer improved version of the Mushshak, called the Super Mushshak, which made its first flight on August 15, 1996. With its improved six-cylinder Textron Lycoming 260hp engine, the aircraft can now operate at a crusing speed of 130kts (240km/h), which is around 25kts (62km/h) faster than the original aircraft. Thankfully, another improvement was the cockpit's air-conditioning system. Despite the aircraft being flown in so many countries where temperatures regularly reach 50*C the original system was based upon the Swedish requirement, and as we all know Sweden isnt renowned for its scorching temperatures.
The PAF ordered approx. 50 Super Mushshaks, and rather than acquiring brand new aircraft the new upgrades were simply integrated into the original Mushshak airframe. The first aircraft was handed over at Risalpur on May 16, 2001 and all the original Mushshaks have now been replaced, however, most of the base communications flights continue with the older version.
Not to be outdone, the Pakistan Army has also ordered a large number of Super Mushshaks and in 2001, evaluated a Super Mushshak driven by a three-blade Hartzell propeller, for improved ground clearence from rough airstrips, but it dropped its interest.
Having marketed the aircraft throughout the Middle East, AMF clinched its first military overseas Super Mushshak sale in late 2004 when the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) purchased five new aircraft and upgraded its three original Mushshaks. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) also ordered 20 new Super Mushshaks, to replace their ageing Cessna 172, as well as a simulator, while five PAF instructors were seconded to Riyadh to oversee the aircraft service introduction.
Currently AMF is developing a glass cockpit for the Super Mushshak in a bid to allow pilots an easier transition from this 70s era training aircraft into a 21st century jet trainer with all its latest avionics. if AMF succeeds with its plan, to introduce to many third world countries, the K-8 Karakoram as lead-in fighter trainer to the JF-17 Thunder, then these air-arms will also need a good primary trainer and the Super Mushshak could probably fit the bill. it isnt just modern aircraft these countries crave, but also affordability, and thats where it will be difficult to get a "better bang for the buck" than the improved Super Mushshak.
The Mushshak has served Pakistan well. its military rely upon it to train its pilots, while AMF has cut its teeth on manufacturing aircraft. without the experience of building the Super Mushshak, as well as parts for the K-8, one wonders if AMF would have had the confidence to take on such a complicated project as the JF-17. AFM
Operators: Pakistan Air Force (100), Pakistan Army Aviation Corps (50), Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (25), Royal Air Force of Oman (3), Royal Saudi Air Force (20), Syrian Arab Air Force (6)
