thumb|Blackburn Ripon Mk. II in 1929
The Blackburn T.5 Ripon was a carrier-based torpedo bomber and reconnaissance biplane designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft. It was the basis for both the license-produced Mitsubishi B2M and the improved Blackburn Baffin.
The Ripon was designed as a successor to the Blackburn Dart torpedo bomber as well as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft to fulfil Air Ministry Specification 21/23. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 17 April 1926, it was subsequently redesigned with a more effective engine installation, an enlarged rudder and increased wing sweepback. It was originally ordered into production for the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), which primarily operated the type as a torpedo bomber.
The Ripon was operated by the FAA between 1930 and 1935, after which point it was withdrawn in favour of the Blackburn Baffin, which was an improved derivative of the Ripon. It was also produced overseas in Finland; many of the Ripons in service with the Finnish Air Force saw extensive use in both the Winter War and the Continuation War, typically flying nighttime reconnaissance missions.
Development
Background
The origins of the Ripon can be traced back to the mid-1920s and the issuing of Air Ministry Specification 21/23, which sought a replacement for the Fleet Air Arm's (FAA) single-seat Dart that could operate both as a torpedo bomber and a reconnaissance aircraft.
Blackburn begin work on its response to the specification during 1925, directed by F. A. Bumpus.
Into production
The first production aircraft made its first flight in late 1927.
On 15 May 1928, the first production aircraft made its public debut, performing a flying demonstration that included a practice torpedo deployment over the Humber along with some aerobatic manoeuvres in front of the assembled press. During 1928 and 1929, Blackburn received contracts for a combined 20 Ripon IIs. In early 1930, more substantial orders for 40 of the improved Ripon IIA were placed; this variant made greater use of duralumin in its wings and provided a mildly raised all-up weight. The production rate reached two aircraft per week around this time, which was facilitated by the subcontracting of some component manufacturing to the competing British aviation manufacturer Boulton Paul Aircraft.
Between 1931 and 1932, 31 Ripon IICs were constructed, which had greater sweepback and eliminated all use of wood present in the structure of the mainplane. Many of the earlier production aircraft were rebuilt to the Ripon IIC standard during the early 1930s. It was the final production standard of the Ripon to be procured by a domestic air service. Instead, the Ripon served as the basis for the Baffin, which was effectively more advanced version of the type. Starting in January 1934, the Baffin begun to replace its predecessor in FAA service. Many of the Ripons were returned to Blackburn and remanufactured into Baffins.
In addition to the British armed forces, Blackburn had extensive efforts to promote the Ripon to potential overseas customers.
Operational history
thumb|The only preserved Blackburn Ripon, which has an Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial engine. It is stored in the [[Päijänne Tavastia Aviation Museum in Asikkala, Finland]]
During 1929, the Ripon entered service with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), six being operated by No 462 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight aboard in January of that year.
In FAA service, it was normally operated in a landplane configuration from the navy's aircraft carriers; although it was capable of being converted to a seaplane, it was rarely fitted with floats in practice. The Ripon continued in service with Torpedo Bomber flights until 1933, when the Fleet Air Arm was reorganised into three larger squadrons, No. 810, No. 811 and No. 812. Finnish Ripons were typically stationed at Turkinsaari, Sortavala, and the island of Santahamina.
The Finnish Air Force deployed its Ripons on active combat missions against the forces of the Soviet Union during both the Winter War and the Continuation War. After the loss of one aircraft to Soviet fighters during late 1939, the Ripon was restricted to normally flying night missions only.
A single Ripon, RI-140, was stored and then reassembled and put on display in the Päijänne Tavastia Aviation Museum. Blackburn Aircraft since 1909
|prime units?= kts
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|crew= 3
|length ft= 36
|length in= 9
|length note=
|span ft= 44
|span in= 10
|span note=
|height ft= 12
|height in= 10
|height note=
|wing area sqft= 683
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--root: NACA ; tip: NACA -->
|empty weight lb= 4,132
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb= 7,282
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= Napier Lion X, XI, or XIA
|eng1 type= W-12 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp= 570
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number= 2
|prop name= fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
Performance
-->
|max speed mph= 111
|max speed note= at sea level
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=410
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft= 10,000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude= in 15 minutes and 30 seconds
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
<!--
Armament
-->
|guns=<br>
:* 1 × fixed, forward firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun (not Mk II) and 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun in rear cockpit.
|bombs=<br>
:* 1 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo
:*up to 3 × 530 lb (240 kg) or 6 × 230 lb (104 kg) bombs.
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Jackson, A. J. Blackburn Aircraft since 1919. Putnam, 1968.
- Keskinen, Kalevi; Stenman, Kari & Niska, Klaus: Meritoimintakoneet - Suomen ilmavoimien historia 15. Tampere: Apali Oy, 1995. ISBN 952-5026-03-5
External links
- Photos of Blackburn Ripon III in Flight