Yak-39 "Forger"

[Jschmus]

Though it would fit in easily with the proposed "Sovietize It" build, the genesis for this idea came from the A-4 Skyhawk discussion started last summer.  In real life, certain admirals in the Soviet Navy lobbied hard for the development of an American-style supercarrier, the Project 1153 Orel.  This would have been a large vessel in the 75,000-80,000 ton range.  The project was shut down primarily for cost reasons, though it also threatened proponents of the Soviet submarine programs.  A smaller, 60,000-ton version was proposed and cancelled, before the Kremlin approved construction of the 45,000 ton Project 1143 Krechyet, known in the West as Kiev.  These were a class of hybrid cruiser-carriers, with a mix of anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, as well as a small wing of helicopters and a handful of the Yak-38 "Forger" VSTOL fighters.  We all know how that turned out.  The last of these is even now being converted into a modified conventional carrier with ski-jump, to operate Harriers and MiG-29s for India.  What if things went a bit differently.

The late 60s see the approval of the Project 1143, but it is to be built as a more conventional carrier.  At 45,000 tons, it isn't going to be capable of operating the bigger Soviet aircraft, but this is still a bit bigger than the US' refit Essex-class carriers, which can still operate a variety of smaller types.  Mikoyan are asked to develop a fighter for the new ship, likely to be a variant of the new MiG-23 variable geometry aircraft, but the Navy is willing to take bids to produce a specialized attacker.  The Yakovlev OKB, somewhat out of favor with the current regime, announces that agents in Vietnam have delivered to them largely intact examples of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and they have been furiously reverse-engineering this marvel for the glory of the Soviet fleet.  Initial production of the Yak version begins in 1969, with first service deliveries in 1971.  NATO observers first nickname the aircraft "Falcon" in light of its origins, but NATO codenames are not meant to be flattering, so the new machines are coded "Forger" to reflect their illicit nature.

The Yak-39 is popular with Soviet pilots, who find it easy to handle, and relatively simple to learn to fly.  The Yak-39 is also heavily exported to various client states.

The kit is the 1/72 Esci A-4E, acquired last fall from aerofan (thanks again, Nick!):


Here are all the kit parts:


Stores and decals will be a mix from this rogues' gallery:


I just started some preliminary painting.  Hopefully I'll have some in-progress shots tomorrow.

Also, if anyone would like to help flesh out the backstory, I'd appreciate it.

[B777LR]

May i suggest using the tail fin from the Su-25? That would be an easy and neat way to make it more Soviet And airintakes, replace them with some O shaped intakes, instead of the in kit D shaped ones And the nose section and canopy/cockpit replaced by Su-25 nose )

[Spey_Phantom]

to bad this isnt the movies GB, cause in one of the episodes of the A-team, HM Murdock flew a Soviet Skyhawk
it was painted in a Black/red splinter/lightning camo scheme, if youve seen the episode, use that sheme

i tried looking for a picture, but i havent found one yet 

[nev]

I agree that the design could do with a little bit of Sovietising, just to add a bit of intrest.

[Jschmus]

I'll have to see what I can do.  I did some work yesterday because I couldn't get online at all.  I snuck into the bus. ctr at work now just to see what's going on in my absence.  Thanks for the advice.

[Jschmus]

Just a quick update.  I have not been able to dedicate the time to this project that I'd hoped.  Working seven nights in a row can do that to you.  I think I'm going to drag some of the subassemblies into work with me tonight, see if I can't get some more work in before the deadline.  I'd like to be able to at least show a partial build, just so you all know I can still do this.  If I can get it finished, this will be the first I've completed in the four years I've been coming here.

[GTX]

Any further progress?

Regards,

Greg

[Wyrmshadow]

Well I just want to re-examin some of my similar work in this area. My YAK-39 Flechete

[Jschmus]

I think I may start a new thread in the "Current and Finished Projects" section, but I wanted to let you all know that the bird is a go, as of today.  I'm debating stores at the moment.  I was planning on putting 500 kilo bombs on and MER under the centerline, and drop tanks under the inner wing pylons.  I'm not sure if I want to do the outers with UV-18 rocket pods as originally planned, or with AA-8s or AS-7s.

[nev]

Moved it for you

[Sauragnmon]

Looking forward to seeing this beast in action and seeing where you go with it.

[Captain Canada]

I sure like the look of that A-4 Harrier combo.....Hmmmm