#4 DONE +++ 'Alpha Jet Lancier M' of the Aéronavale

Dizzyfugu · November 07, 2016, 07:10:45 AM

Keeping up the pace and inspiration, I dug out another vintage Heller kit: the venerable Alpha Jet from 1979, even though in a much more recent Revell re-boxing as a Belgian aircraft in a black/yellow/silver anniversary livery. The kit looks actually pretty poor - the mouls must have suffered a lot though the years, because there's a lot of flash, ugly election pin marks and even sinkholes. I remember that I built an original Heller Alpha Jet some years ago, and it appeared much more crisp and defined!

Anyway, this one will (naturally) be converted, into an obscure update project that made it into hardware stage: the Alpha Jet Lancier with a radar nose (note the massive Exocet ASM, too

):

But that's not enough: Dassault actually took part in the US Navy's VTXTS advanced trainer program, which was eventually won by the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk. From that direction I'll add some naval elements, too, so that the result will be a carrier-capable light attack and advanced trainer aircraft for the Aéronavale. Voilà!

Spey_Phantom · November 07, 2016, 09:19:03 AM

looking forward to seeing progress:

PS:the revell rebox is a french livery, the Airfix rebox has Belgian markings.

Captain Canada · November 07, 2016, 02:39:18 PM

Cool pic. That really changes the look of her !

Dizzyfugu · November 08, 2016, 12:12:08 AM

Quote from: Nils on November 07, 2016, 09:19:03 AM
looking forward to seeing progress:

PS:the revell rebox is a french livery, the Airfix rebox has Belgian markings.

Ah, yes, I was devceived by the yellow... Anyway, it does not make the kit and its quality better. The Lancier with the radar nose looks really different - somehow, the whole aircraft reminds me of the SEPACAT Jaguar, esp. the Indian version with the Agave radar?

Besides, here's a look at the prototype's nose, with a laser rangefinder added under the (wraparound!) windshield, too:

Dizzyfugu · November 08, 2016, 11:37:21 PM

Work is underway, but it might take some time until I post pics. Building is messy, though. The fuselage seems to be warped/bent, and nothing fits together... esp. the engine section and the exhausts cause major headaches. $:-\$

zenrat · November 09, 2016, 01:45:09 AM

Are you sure the appearance of being warped or bent isn't just the result of accurately portraying international cooperation in 1/72 scale?

Dizzyfugu · November 10, 2016, 09:38:40 AM

Building the fuselage is no fun – nothing fits, and the kit's construction is really complicated. O.K., the Alpha Jet's shape with its engine nacelles and curved belly is complex, but the kit's solution is far from perfect. Another true weak point are the air intakes: they end just after 3-4mm in a staggered, vertical wall. Really ugly, so I drilled the intakes open and moved the still necessary view blocker (black foamed styrene) a bit further back.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Dizzyfugu · November 12, 2016, 12:10:23 AM

More, with the wings fitted, asymmetrical ordnance and finishing touches to the airframe before painting starts:

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Yes, some PSR is necessary to put this thing together, not only around the nose section with the radome implant... $:-\$
But with some wings, the Alpha Jet starts looking like an aircraft. With the longer/bigger nose, it looks very different, IMHO, much more "adult"?

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

As weapons load, we will have...
- an Exocet missile (Academy Super Étendard)
- a drop tank (Academy OV-10 Bronco) as counter-balance
- a Barracuda 2 ECM pod and a Matra Phimat flare dispenser (Heller SEPECAT Jaguar)

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

...and now, with some details added and changed, things are ready for painting:

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Plan/benchmark is a two-tone scheme, inspired by the Aéronavale's Super Étendards, even though finding good colors that match the French Célomer tones is not easy. But I think that simple Humbrol 164 and 165 (RAF Dark Sea Grey and Medium Sea Grey) are very good options. We'll see soon.

Dizzyfugu · November 12, 2016, 11:54:00 PM

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

I must say that this grey/grey livery suits the Alpha Jet very well!

DogfighterZen · November 13, 2016, 12:30:24 AM

Looking very good indeed, Dizzy! I'd never seen that radar nose on the Alpha, looks much better that the normal pointy version.

zenrat · November 13, 2016, 01:39:29 AM

It's looking good. The nose gives it a bit of a Super Etendard look.

Dizzyfugu · November 13, 2016, 03:27:05 AM

Doesn't it? Personally, I am much remined of the Indian Jaguars with the Agave radar nose - but I agree that, esp. with that paint scheme, the Lancier front end has a strange similarity with the Sue, too!

Dizzyfugu · November 13, 2016, 05:10:58 AM

Almost done... Some finishing touches and beauty pics next.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Dizzyfugu · November 15, 2016, 12:18:08 AM

Here we are, a 1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced trainer aircraft co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier Flugzeugwerke of Germany. It was developed specifically to perform the trainer and light attack missions, as well as to perform these duties more ideally than the first generation of jet trainers that preceded it.
Following a competition, a design submitted by a team comprising Breguet Aviation, Dassault Aviation, and Dornier Flugzeugwerke, initially designated as the TA501, was selected and subsequently produced as the Alpha Jet.

Both the French Air Force and German Air Force procured the Alpha Jet in large numbers, the former principally as a trainer aircraft and the latter choosing to use it as a light attack platform. In July 1978, Dassault signed an agreement with American aircraft manufacture Lockheed to market the Alpha Jet in the US market, the arrangement included provisions for Lockheed to manufacture the Alpha Jet under license. The Alpha Jet was considered as a candidate for the US Navy's VTXTS advanced trainer program, which was eventually won by the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk, a modified version of the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. Proposed modifications included undercarriage changes for nose-tow catapults and a stronger arrestor hook, as well as various US-sourced avionics and other equipment.

The Alpha Jet program remained prolific, though. During the early 1990s, the French Air Force investigated the "Alpha Jet 3" program, which involved installing a fully digital cockpit, a modernized communications suite, and a full navigation/attack and sensor training system.

>
1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Another development line was the Alpha Jet Lancier (Lancer), which would enable the trainer to act as a light, all-weather multi-purpose attack aircraft. The most obvious modification was the addition of an Anemone radar in an extended nose section with a radome, similar and shape and size of the Super Étendard's nose section. The Anemone radar was an improved and very compact derivative of the Super Étendard's Agave radar, weighing only a mere 60kg.
The Anemone would provide the weapon system (based on the developments for the Alpha Jet 3) with all the data required for firing air-to-sea AM39 missiles, and the data needed for air-to-ground fire control. It could also be used for aircraft self-protection, as it could also handle the fire control of air-to-air weapons.
Dassault had high hopes in export sales for the Alpha Jet Lancier (e. g. to Egypt, Qatar and Nigeria), but interest was lukewarm since the Alpha Jet was a design that had been superseded by more modern constructions, and its operation costs were relatively high.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

However, in 1991, when the Alpha Jet Lancier was still on the drawing board, the French Aéronavale was looking for an advanced trainer that could also be used for carrier start and landing training – basically as a replacement for the outdated Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr. The Alpha Jet offered several benefits, including its two engines for improved operational security and the fact that the type had already been in use with the French Air Force, so that the maintenance infrastructure and experienced mechanics were readily available. Even the demand for a maritime variant could be quickly realized – thanks to the VTXTS engagement in the late Seventies.

The result was the so-called "Alpha Jet Lancier M", which incorporated all the aforementioned elements. An order for 31 aircraft (one prototype plus 30 serial aircraft) was placed in early 1992. The prototype was ready in May 1993 and incorporated further changes like uprated engines (delivering 10% more thrust than the former Larzac turbofans used on the land-based variants) or foldable outer wing sections, a reinforced arrester hook and a fixed (but detachable refueling probe).
The landing gear was also modified for carrier operations, with a bigger spring deflection and a more rigid, twin-front wheel that also featured a launch hook.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Anemone multi-mode radar was augmented by a lightweight Ferranti Type 105 laser rangefinder, mounted in a fairing under the port side cockpit flank, leaving space for an optional gun pod that could be carried under the fuselage. A Doppler radar for navigation purposes was added in a shallow fairing under the cockpit, too. Mission avionics were further enhanced by a helmet-mounted sight, improved cockpit displays, a datalink, and improved night vision goggles compatibility.

The Alpha Jet Lancier M's most powerful weapon was the AS.39 Exocet missile. Two of these weapons (weighing 670 kg each) could be carried on the inner pylons, even typically only a single one was carried with a drop tank as counterbalance and range compensation on the opposite pylon.
The relatively compact missile is designed for attacking small- to medium-size warships (e. g. frigates, corvettes and destroyers), although multiple hits are effective against larger vessels, such as aircraft carriers. Its rocket motor, which is fueled by solid propellant, gives the Exocet a maximum range of 70 km (43 mi; 38 nmi). It is guided inertially in mid-flight and turns on active radar late in its flight to find and hit its target. As a countermeasure against air defense around the target, it maintains a very low altitude during ingress, staying one–two m above the sea surface. Due to the effect of the radar horizon, this means that the target may not detect an incoming attack until the missile is only 6,000 m from impact. This leaves little time for reaction and stimulated the design of close-in weapon systems (CIWS).

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Trials of the Alpha Jet Lancier M prototype lasted until 1994, when serial production eventually started – just in time for the Zéphyr replacement, the trainer had been in service since 1960. The first machines arrived at the operational units in early 1995, though. Dassault still had high export hopes, but despite having an official operator now no further orders were coming forth – the Alpha Jet Lancier was simply too expensive. Plans for upgrading the land-based Alpha Jet fleet were also ultimately abandoned as being too expensive. In 1998, France's defense ministry examined prospective upgrades focused on the Alpha Jet's cockpit, such as the installation of a new Head-Up Display (HUD) and multifunction displays, though.

In June 2003, Dassault revealed its plans for an Alpha Jet upgrade to potentially meet the French Air Force's long term training requirements. This upgrade was similar to that which was performed for the Belgian Air Force's Alpha Jet fleet, involving the installation of a glass cockpit, increasing cockpit compatibility with frontline aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale and Dassault Mirage 2000, as well as a structural overhaul.

As a result of post-Cold War military cutbacks, Germany already elected to retire its own fleet of Alpha Jets in the 1990s and has re-sold many of these aircraft to both military and civilian operators. The Alpha Jet has been adopted by a number of air forces across the world and has also seen active combat use by some of these operators.

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

General characteristics:
Crew: two
Length: 13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 9.11 m (29 ft 10¾ in), folded:
Height: 4.19 m (13 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 17.50 m² (188.4 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,515 kg (7,750 lb)
Loaded weight: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)

Powerplant:
2× SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-H-20 non-afterburning turbofans,
delivering 4.12 kN of thrust (3,173 lbf) each

Performance:
Maximum speed: 1,000 km/h (540 kn, 621 mph) at sea level
Stall speed: 167 km/h (90 knots, 104 mph) (flaps and undercarriage down)
Combat radius: 610 km (329 nmi, 379 mi) lo-lo-lo profile with full ordnance
Ferry range: 2,940 km (1,586 nmi, 1,827 mi)
Service ceiling: 14,630 m (48,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 57 m/s (11,220 ft/min)

Armament:
1× optional 30 mm (1.18 in) GIAT 30/M791 autocannon with 125 rounds in a centerline pod
Four underwing hardpoints for a total load of 2,500 kg (5,506 lb), including up to six Matra rocket pods with eighteen SNEB 68 mm rockets each, or six CRV7 rocket pods with nineteen 70 mm rockets each;
Two AIM-9 Sidewinders or two Matra Magic IIs air-to-air missiles; Up to two AM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, or four AGM-65 Mavericks or other TV-, laser or IR-guided Smart Weapons

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassault/Dornier 'Alpha Jet Lancier M'; aircraft '31' of the Aéronavale's (French Navy) Escadrille 59S; Base d'aéronautique navale d'Hyères, 1996 (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

A simple conversion, yet very thorough and surprisingly convincing. The Lancier's longer and more massive nose changes the character of the sleek Alpha Jet a lot, and the grey-on-grey paint scheme with the toned-down markings adds a unusual touch to the normally much more colorful aircraft. The scheme looks very natural on the Alpha Jet, too.

zenrat · November 15, 2016, 02:05:37 AM

Bravo! It looks great. An improvement over the original IMO.