1/72 SHORT TUCANO T1 RAF TRAINER ZF378 AV7227005

A two-seat turboprop basic trainer, built by Short Brothers in Belfast, the Short Tucano is a licence-built version of the Brazilian Embraer EMB 312 Tucano. The Brazilian prototype first flew in 1986 and was then modified to meet RAF requirements, being used for trials and demonstrations.

Development of the Short Tucano commenced in May 1984, as a response to an established requirement by the RAF, which sought a replacement for its fleet of ageing BAC Jet Provost basic trainers. During June 1988, the first Tucano deliveries were made to the RAF. The type was principally operated by No 1 Flying Training School, based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Typically, student pilots would fly around 130 hours during their training course on the Tucano, before progressing to the jet-powered Hawk T2 aircraft, based at RAF Valley.

The model is painted as ZF378, as it appeared around 2011, in the colours and markings of 72 Squadron 1FTS. A limited edition of 360, the model comes complete with a display stand in a colourful and stylish presentation box.