Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; “98+52”, JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe, 1989

[Dizzyfugu]

Another one, not the last... The single-seated Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C ground attack prototype!


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some background
The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced trainer aircraft co-manufactured by Dornier of Germany and Dassault-Breguet of France. In the early 1960s, European air forces began to consider their requirements for the coming decades. One of the results was the emergence of a new generation of jet trainers. The British and French began a collaboration on development of what was supposed to be a supersonic jet aircraft in two versions: trainer and light attack aircraft. The result of this collaboration, the SEPECAT Jaguar, proved to be an excellent aircraft, but its definition had changed in the interim, and the type emerged as a full-sized, nuclear-capable strike fighter, which two-seat variants were used for operational conversion to the type, not for the general training.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

This left the original requirement unfulfilled and so the French began discussions with West Germany for collaboration. A joint specification was produced in 1968. The trainer was now subsonic, supersonic trainers having proven something of a dead end. A joint development and production agreement was signed in July 1969 which indicated that the two nations would buy 200 machines, each assembled in their own country.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Luftwaffe decided to use the Alpha Jet mainly in the light strike role, preferring to continue flight training in the United States on American trainer types instead of performing training in cloudy and crowded Germany. The first production German Alpha Jet performed its maiden flight on 12 April 1978, with deliveries beginning in March 1979. This version was designated the Alpha Jet A (the "A" standing for Appui Tactique or "Tactical Strike") or Alpha Jet Close Support variant. The Luftwaffe obtained 175 machines up to 1983, with the type replacing the Fiat G91R/3.
Manufacture of Alpha Jet subassemblies was divided between France and Germany, with plants in each country performing final assembly and checkout. The different avionics fit made French and German Alpha Jets easy to tell apart, with French machines featuring a rounded-off nose and German machines featuring a sharp, pointed nose.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Even though the Alpha Jet A was suitable in the ground attack role and had even been tested in aerial combat against helicopters in 1979, the German Luftwaffe decided in the mid-80ies that – facing the Cold War threat from the east – a more powerful but still economic plane for the close attack role, esp. against hardened ground targets and attack helicopters like the Mi-24 would be needed. "Alternate Close Support" versions of the Alpha Jet were available at that time, but these were just modified two-seaters. Such planes were bought by Cameroon and Egypt, but from the German Luftwaffe a specialized, more capable plane with a higher strike and survival potential was requested.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In 1986, Dornier developed a respective specialized version, called the Alpha Jet C (for "combat"). This plane was heavily modified, optimized for the ground attack role. It featured a new, single-seated nose section with an armoured cockpit in a much higher position than on the original two-seater. The Alpha jet C version's prominent, pointed nose quickly gave it among its test pilots the nickname "Nasenbär" (Coati).
The new space was used for avionics and an internal Oerlikon 35mm cannon – a variant of the same cannon used in the Gepard anti aircraft tank, firing armour piercing shells with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m. Avionics includecd SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital databus.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

New wings were developed, with a thicker profile and less sweep, and non-jettisonable wing tip tanks as well as two more weapon hardpoints (for a total of six, plus one under the fuselage) added. The landing gear was reinforced for a higher TOW and operation on improvised runways. Fuselage and tail externally looked much the same as the original Alpha Jet A, but internally most structures were reinforced and technical modules placed in new positions.

The C version was from the start powered by two more powerful Larzac 04-C20 turbofans which would also be used in an update for the Luftwaffe's Alpha Jet As. The hydraulic system was doubled, so that both engines could run separately, and kevlar and titanium armour plating added to vital areas around the lower hull.

The first prototype 98+52 made its maiden flight at Friedrichshafen on 1st of June 1988. It was officially allocated to the JaboG 43 in Oldenburg, but actually spent almost all the time at the Luftwaffe's Waffentechnische Dienststelle (Flight test center) WTD 61 in Manching near Munich, where it underwent a thorough testing program. More than once the prototype was transferred to Beja, Portugal, for weapon tests and training, as well as direct comparison with the standard Alpha Jet A and other NATO planes. A second airframe was built in 1987 but only used for static tests, system integration and finally damage resilience tests, after which it was written off and scrapped.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


While the Alpha Jet C showed high agility at low level and a high survival potential in a hostile battlefield environment, the prototype remained a one-off. In the end, the German Luftwaffe did not want to add another type to its arsenal, despite its similarity with the standard Alpha Jet. Export chances for such a specialized, yet light aircraft were considered as low, since modified Alpha Jet versions were already available and other planes like the AMX or BAe Hawk offered more versatility, and were simply more up to date.
Hence, further development was stopped in September 1989, also under the influence of political changes and the breakdown of the Eastern Block. Even though 98+52 was kept at Manching as a test aircraft for various tasks, the plane was eventually lost in a crash due to hydraulic failure on 3rd of March 1993 – the pilot escaped safely, but 98+52 totally written off.


General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 12.60 m (41 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 10.73 m (35 ft 2 1/2 in)
Height: 4.24 m (13 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 213.7 ft² (19.85 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 23015 (modified) at root, NACA 4412 (modified) at tip
Empty weight: 3.680 kg (8.105 lbs)
Loaded weight: 5.900 kg (13.000 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight: 8.200 kg (18.060 lbs)
Powerplant: 2 × SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-C20 turbofans, 14,12 kN (3.176 lbs) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 860 km/h (465 knots, 536 mph)
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, w. underwing weapons incl. two drop tanks
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× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon w/150 rds under the lower forward fuselage, offset to starport side.
Seven hardpoints (one under fuselage, three under each wing) for a total external load of up to 3.085 kg (6.800 lbs), including AGM-65 Maverick, Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each, a variety of bombs (such as the Hunting BL755 cluster bombs) or Drop tanks for extended range, and AIM-9 Sidewinder or ASRAAM for self-defence


The kit and its assembly
A modern type whif, and time that I show something from Germany. The idea came when I found a pair of wings from a vintage Matchbox BAC Strikemaster in good shape and thought "Well, where could these fit...?" Being a fan of the Su-25 I considered building something similar from scratch und using these 30 year old parts.
The Alpha Jet has a basically similar layout, and the wings would match in size. Then, the "new" plane should become a dedicated single-seater, not simply a two-seater with a covered rear cockpit. Browsing through the kit stack I found a A-4F from Revell, and its nose section turned out to be an almost perfect fit for the Alpha Jet fuselage (the vintage Heller kit).

Fitting these parts together required some major surgery and putty work, but the result looks quite convincing. Other additions are a Matchbox pilot figure and some cockpit details, a nose cone from a Fiat G.91 R/3 as an integral laser rangefinder housing, the Strikemaster wings, a modified landing gear (main wheels from the Skyhawk, front wheel from an IAI Kfir) and the armament in the form of the gun, seven hardpoints and the mixed ordnance from the German Luftwaffe arsenal - everything collected from the junkyard.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Painting
While German Luftwaffe machines can look rather boring, various camouflage trials have been conducted during the 80ies and 90ies for the F-4F, Alpha Jet and Tornado fleet. Esp. Phantom IIs saw extensive experiments for air superiority and ground attack paint schemes - and these schemes often carried inofficial names like "Milchkuh" (Dairy Cow), "Polizeimühle" (Police Jalopy) or "Disco Bomber".

The whiffy Alpha Jet was a nice opportunity to incorporate one of these experimental schemes, and I settled for something which was applied to F-4F '37+07' and inofficially dubbed "Maikäfer" (Cockchafer? Due to the wavy side line). The Alpha Jet is a good subject, since its stepped side structure with engine nacelles and its spine tunnel is similar to the Phantom II, so that the cammo concept could be easily copied.


1:72 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet C; "98+52", JaboG 43 Deutsche Luftwaffe; WTD Manching, 1989 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Anyway, the authentic "Maikäfer" colours are supposed to be (and what I used on the kit)...

On the upper sides:
● RAL 6014 Gelboliv (~FS 34087; Olive Drab, Testors 1711)
● RAL 7012 Basaltgrau (~FS 36152; Humbrol 27)
● RAL 9005 Tiefschwarz, even though I rather believe it to be RAL 7021 Schwarzgrau (darker than FS 36081; Humbrol 182)

Flanks::
● Mix of 2/3 RAL 7035 Lichtgrau + 1/3 RAL 7000 Fehgrau (~FS36473; Aircraft Grey, Testors 1731)

Undersides:
● Mix of 5/6 RAL 7035 Lichtgrau + 1/6 RAL 7000 Fehgrau (~RLM 63; Lichtgrau, Testors 2077)

The tones are just approximations, since I did not want to get original tones just for one project. Hey, it's just a model kit!

The landing gear and its wells were painted in aluminum, the respective covers' inside with Humbrol 81 (Olive Yellow) in a primer finish for some contrast. Cockpit interior as well as the air intakes were kept in in Light Gull Grey (FS 36640, Humbrol 129). The complex paint scheme was applied, as per usual, by brush and hand. The kit received a light black ink wash and some dry painting with lighter tones - the model was not supposed to look dirty, only a bit used.

Decals were scrapped together. JaboG 43 emblems and warning signs were taken from the original Heller decal sheet. The national insignia were taken from a Revell PAH-2 kit, the registration '98+52' was puzzled together with single digits from an aftermarket decal sheet from TL Modellbau. AFAIK, '98+52'  has not been used yet by the Luftwaffe, which designates its test aircraft in the 98+XX and 99+XX range. A "true" and active Alpha Jet would have received a 40+XX or 41+XX.

Finally, everything was sealed under a water-based/acryllic matte coat - the Testors colours proved to be very touchy to the Humbrol varnish I normally use.


In the end, I achieved what I wanted, even though not truly perfect. But the kit looks like an 'analogue' Su-25, and actually the whiffy Alpha Jet C reminds much of the pre-Su-25 concepts: the SPB and subsequent LSSh/T-8 attack aircraft?

[bearmatt]

 

Now that's unexpected! Super nice built! Congrats

[TsrJoe]

waw that looks really neat, an inspired build indeed, il admit the wings had me stumpted til i read your source kit, cool 

cheers, Joe

[Dizzyfugu]

Thanks a lot - you're welcome! 

[NARSES2]

Just when you think it can't get any better ...................... 

[Spey_Phantom]

looks fantasic, a European equivelant of the A-10 or SU-25  

[Army of One]

Awesome build there.....great result......

[ysi_maniac]

Well conceived indeed! 

[Dizzyfugu]

Thanks a lot 

This model is - literally - a what-if, because it is the "result" of the consequences what the Alpha Jet could have become if there had been more budget. And with similar aircraft like the Su-25 as design benchmarks, the step to an optimised CAS/anti tank version is not big. It's pretty plausible, and I think that's its 'charm'. 

[Tophe]

Good work!

[kerick]

Very nice! The high wing would make the BB stackers happy!

[Dizzyfugu]

Proud to announce that the single-seat Alpha Jet was taken for real... 

Check this:
http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?215947-Can-training-jets-be-used-in-wars/page4

Reading helps, sometimes, but I think I will finally have to add a more blatant hint that the whifs at FlickR ARE just whifs... 

[Old Wombat]

Almost a PR19! Eh, Kit!



Guy

[PR19_Kit]

Almost a PR19! Eh, Kit!

Hehehe, LOVE it! He had them going there for a while.  

If he'd have got our Matrixone to take the piccies it would have been in a book before the month was out!