The introduction of the Jet engine created new problems in training military pilots. A short term solution was to create training versions of current jet fighters, such as the Gloster Meteor T7 and the De Haviland Vampire T11 . This was not ideal however and in 1953 the Air Ministry produced a requirement for a simple jet trainer suitable for introducing student pilots to jet flying. The Hunting Percival aircraft company responded to this requirement with a jet conversion of the piston engined Provost trainer. In doing so, the Alvis Leonides piston engine was replaced with an Armstrong Siddely Viper jet engine and a nose wheel undercarriage introduced. The Jet Provost, as the new aircraft was named first flew in 1954 becoming the worlds first basic jet trainer, and began RAF service at No 2 FTS in 1955. A severe limitation of the Jet Provost was lack of cabin pressurisation, so in 1967 BAC, (which had absorbed Hunting Percival) produced the Jet Provost T5 which was a major improvement on the T4 with cabin pressurisation, increased internal fuel tankage and a far more powerful Viper. The Jet Provost T5 entered service with the CFS in September 1969 and served with the RAF until the early 1990's when it was replaced by the Shorts Tucano. The T5 was in turn developed into the BAC Strikemaster which was exported widely as a low cost strike and training aircraft with four hardpoints under the wings and the ability to carry a wide range of weapons. Due to it's extremely simple construction and reliable Viper the Jet Provost is still being flown in large numbers by private pilots in the UK and provides an inexpensive introduction into the world of jet warbird flying.
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