1:72 SABRA AF-2A 'Grifo", Marinha do Brazil's VF-2; NAe São Paolo, 2019

Dizzyfugu · April 24, 2016, 05:20:34 AM

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
NAe São Paulo is a Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Brazilian Navy. São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as Foch and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy. In December 2014 it was announced that São Paulo will be expected to continue active service until 2039, at which time the vessel will be nearly 80 years old.

From this carrier, the Marinha do Brasil operates its only fixed-wing aircraft, and these were initially A-4 Skyhawks. In 1997 Brazil negotiated a $70 million contract for purchase of 20 A-4KU and three TA-4KU Skyhawks from Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Skyhawks, modified A-4Ms and TA-4Js delivered in 1977, were among the last of those models built by Douglas. The Kuwaiti Skyhawks were selected by Brazil because of low flight time, excellent physical condition, and a favorable price tag. The Brazilian Navy Re-designated AF-1 and AF-1A Falcões (Hawks), the ex-Kuwaiti Skyhawks arrived in Arraial do Cabo on 5 September 1998.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Anyway, the Skyhawks' life span was limited and in 2005 the Brazilian Navy started looking for a potential replacement, while the AF-1s were to kept operational due to limited military budgets. On 14 April 2009, Brazlian aircraft manufacturer EMBRAER signed a contract to modernize 12 Skyhawks, nine AF-1s (single-seat) and three AF-1As (two-seat). This upgrade will restore the operating capacity of the Navy 1st Intercept and Attack Plane Squadron (VF-1). The program includes restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar, power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. The first of the 12 modified Skyhawks was delivered on 27 May 2015. EMBRAER stated that the modifications would allow the aircraft to remain operational until 2025, by which time a successor was to be fully operational.

Several replacement candidates were evaluated under Brazil's F-X2 fighter program together with the Air Force which was looking to replace its Northrop F‐5EM and Dassault Mirage 2000C aircraft. In October 2008, Brazil selected three finalists: the Dassault Rafale, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, and the SAAB JAS 39 Gripen. The Brazilian Air Force initially planned to procure at least 36 and possibly up to 120 aircraft later, while the Brazilian Navy was looking for 24 aircraft (20 single seater and 4 two-seaters with dual controls) until 2025.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In February 2009, SAAB submitted a tender, and on 5 January 2010, reports claimed that the final evaluation report placed the Gripen ahead of other contenders; the decisive factor was reportedly lower unit and operational costs, the most compact size and the Swedish manufacturer's willingness to accept EMBRAER as a technological partner for the aircraft's further development, especially for the navalized version.

Amid delays due to financial constraints, President Dilma Rousseff announced in December 2011 the Gripen NG's selection and the start of a joint Swedish-Brazilian joint venture called SABRA. Argentina and Ecuador were interested in procuring Gripens from or through Brazil, and Mexico and Argenitina were potential export targets for SABRA's navalized Gripen derivative that was tailored to the Marinha do Brasil's needs.

The respective SABRA aircraft was appropriately christened "Grifo" and the development of thei 4th generation fighter started immediately after closing the cooperation deal in 2011. While based on the SAAB 39, the Grifo became a very different aircraft, due to several factors. The major influence was the carrier operation capability, which called for major structural modifications and enforcements as well as special equipment like foldable wings, a strengthened landing gear, an arrester hook and a new engine that would better cope with the naval environment than the Swedish RM 12 engine, a derivative of the General Electric F404-400.

Additionally, the mission focus of air superiority with additional attack capabilities was reversed, and the need for excellent low speed handling for carrier approaches was requested.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

This led to a complelety different aircraft layout, with the SAAB 39's instable canard design being changed into a conservative aircraft with conventional tailplanes. The nose section was shortened in order to provide the pilot with a better field of view, while the more powerful F414-EPE afterburning turbofan was moved slightly forward due to CG reasons, resulting in a slightly shortened rear fuselage.

A mock-up of the new aircraft for the Brazlian Navy was presented and approved in early 2012, and the government placed an official order for two prototypes. Even though the Grifo appeared like a completely different aircraft, it shared a lot of elements with the SAAB 39, so that development time and costs could be reduced to a minimum - and the first prototype, internally designated EMB 391-001, made its maiden flight in early 2013. The second aircraft followed 3 months later.

The Grifo's equipment includes an AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA), capable of executing simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks, and providing higher quality high-resolution ground mapping at long standoff ranges. The AESA radar can also detect smaller targets, such as inbound missiles, and can track air targets beyond the range of the aircraft's air-to-air missiles, which include the AIM-9 Sidewinder for close range and the AIM-120 AMRAAM for medium range.

The Grifo features, like the Gripen fighter, an advanced and integrated electronic warfare suite, capable of operating in an undetectable passive mode or to actively jam hostile radar; a missile approach warning system passively detects and tracks incoming missiles.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Grifo can be tailored to specific missions through external sensor pods, e .g. for reconnaissance and target designation. These include Rafael's LITENING targeting pod, Saab's Modular Reconnaissance Pod System or Thales' Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod. On the Brazilian Navy's request the Grifo is also designed that it can be equipped with an aerial refueling system (ARS) or "buddy store" for the refueling of other aircraft, filling the tactical airborne tanker role.

The two prototypes completed a thorough test program until summer 2015 and subsequently went on a sales tour in South America and Asia. In the meantime, serial production started at EMBRAER's Gavião Peixoto in November 2015. The first serial machines, now officially designated AF-2A, arrived at the Brazilian Navy's São Pedro da Aldeia air base where a new Intercept and Attack Plane Squadron, VF-2 'Arquieros' (Archers) was founded. The squadron became operational in April 2016 and Grifos embarked on NAe São Paulo for the first time in September 2016, serving alongside the venerable AF-1.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Payload: 5,300 kg (11,700 lb)
Length: 13,54 m (44 ft 4 in)
Wingspan (incl. wing tip launch rails): 8.32 m (27 ft 2 in)
Height: 4.25 m (13 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 30.0 m² (323 ft²)
Empty weight: 6,800 kg[330] (14,990 lb)
Loaded weight: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (31,000 lb)
Wheel track: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)

Powerplant:
1 × General Electric F414-EPE afterburning turbofan with
a dry thrust of 54 kN (12,100 lbf) and 85 kN (19,100 lbf) with afterburner

Performance:
Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2,204 km/h (1,190 kn; 1,370 mph) at high altitude
Combat radius: 800 km (497 mi, 432 nmi)
Ferry range: 3,200 km (1,983 mi) with drop tanks
Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
Wing loading: 283 kg/m² (58 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.97
Maximum g-load: +9 g

Armament:
1× 27 mm Mauser BK-27 Revolver cannon with 120 rounds
Eight hardpoints (three on each wing and two under fuselage)
for a wide range of guide and unguided ordnance of up to 14,330 lb (6.5 t)

The kit and its assembly:
The fictional Grifo is the result of a generic idea of converting a canard layout aircraft like the Saab Viggen into a conventional design. The Viggen was actually a serious candidate, but then I found an Italeri Gripen in the stash without a real purpose (it had been cheap, though), and with Brazil's real world procurement as background, the more conservative Grifo was born.

I wanted to use as many OOB Gripen parts as possible, and there are actually only a few external donations involved – with the outlook of converting further Gripens this way. You never know...

Work started with the wings, which were cut off of the fuselage shell. Having the landing gear retract into the fuselage (much like the X-29) is a convenient detail of the Gripen, making the wing transplantation easier than on a Viggen where the wells have to be moved, too.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The original canard attachment points were faired over/hidden. The pointed Gripen nose with its pitot was cut off and replaced by a shorter, more stocky nose tip - from an F-4 Phantom II IIRC. Once the fuselage was completed, the wings were mounted, closer to the air intakes. This went smoothly, only some gaps on the undersides had to be filled.

Once the wings were in place I had to make a decision concerning the stabilizers. Despite the plan to use as many OOB parts as possible I found the OOB canards to be too sharply swept and considered several donation options.
I eventually settled for the most unique option: the stabilizers are actually main wings from a (rather malformed) Italeri/Dragon 1:200 F-117 that comes as a set with the B-2 bomber. A part of the F-117's fuselage flank was cut off and taken over to the Grifo, too, so that these create 'muscular' bulges.

The stabilizers were mounted on scratched consoles/trailing wing root extensions that were somewhat inspired by the F-16's tail design – putting the stabilizers directly onto the fuselage would have looked awkward, and with this solution I was able to extend the Gripen's BWB-design all along the fuselage. As a side effect these consoles also offered a plausible place for rearward chaff dispensers.

The rear fuselage was shortened by 3mm, too – through the shorter nose and the wings further forward, the rest of the aircraft looked rather tail-heavy. While 3mm does not sound much, it helped with overall proportions.

The cannon fairing and the OOB pylons were taken over, as well as the cockpit interior. For carrier operations, several details were added, though: folding wing mechanism seams were engraved on the wings and an arrester hook with a fairing added under the tail section, flanked by new stabilizer fins.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The landing gear was basically taken OOB, too, but lengthened with styrene inserts for a higher stance: the main struts are now 2mm longer, while the front strut is 3mm taller. The latter was reversed, so that a catapult hook could be added to the front side, and slightly bigger wheels were mounted, too, so that the Grifo now has a rather stalky stance with a nose-up attitude. Simple, but effective!

The Sidewinders were taken OOB while the pair of AGM-84 Harpoon comes from Italeri's 1:72 NATO weapons set.

Painting and markings:
I used the contemporary AF-1 paint scheme in three shades of grey as benchmark. These are FS 36187 (RAF Ocean Grey), FS 36307 (Flint Grey) and FS 36515 (Canadian Voodoo Grey) - sourced from a painting guide from Brazilian decal manufacturer FCM and backed by other knowledgeable sources from the region, too. And while the Ocean Grey appears a bit dark, I think that overall the colors are authentic. All paints are Modelmaster enamels.

After basic painting a light black ink wash was applied and panels highlighted through dry-brushing with lighter tones.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The cockpit interior was painted in Neutral Grey (FS 36173), while the landing gear became all-white.
The Brazilian Navy markings had to be improvised - there are 1:72 AF-1 decals available, but either not obtainable or prohibitively expensive - or both. Therefore I rather improvised, with basic Brazilian Navy markings from a vintage FCM Decal sheet for various Brazilian aircraft.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros ', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The respective roundels and codes actually belong to helicopters, and I had to wing it somehow. Unfortunately, the old FCM decals turned out to be ...old. Brittle and very delicate, application was already messy and they did not adhere well to the model. To make matters worse the acrylic varnish turned cloudy, so that a lot of paintwork repair had to be done - not helping much with a satisfactory kit finish.

1:72 SABRA AF-2A Grifo; "(N-30)21", Marinha do Brasil's VF-2 'Arqueiros', São Pedro da Aldeia AB, on board of NAe São Paulo (A 12), 2019 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Another interesting conversion – I am amazed how purposeful the Grifo looks. It reminds me with its high stance of a modern A-4 Skyhawk (what it somehow is), and there's also some Super Étendard in it, esp. in the profile? At some point before painting it also had a somewhat Chinese look - maybe because the top view and the wing planform reminds of the classic MiG-21...? The wings might have been placed 3-4mm further backwards, since it is always difficult to judge proportions while work is still, but the Grifo looks convincingly like a real aircraft (model).

Aeronaves bonita!

Tophe · April 24, 2016, 05:37:18 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on April 24, 2016, 05:20:34 AM
This led to a complelety different aircraft layout, with the SAAB 39's instable canard design being changed into a conservative aircraft with conventional tailplanes.

conventional but nice! congratulations and thanks!

sandiego89 · April 24, 2016, 06:38:29 AM

She does look good with the tail stabs- and talk about digging deep into the spares bin for the F-117 wings! Those bulges give it more interest. Well done!

-Dave

Old Wombat · April 24, 2016, 06:46:18 AM

ysi_maniac · April 24, 2016, 12:05:26 PM

I have had this idea in my head for many years. I have to admit that your realization is perfect!!

DogfighterZen · April 24, 2016, 01:51:36 PM

Excellent as always, Dizzy!

Snowtrooper · April 24, 2016, 02:35:58 PM

Using the old Revell Gripen (the approximation of mock-up or prototype) would have saved you from engraving the wing fold lines - it has those already (and rather prominent ones at that), even though I didn't know there was any talk of "Sea Gripen" back in the 80's...

chrisonord · April 24, 2016, 03:19:53 PM

WOW. Marvelous

Chris.

PR19_Kit · April 24, 2016, 04:44:54 PM

Who'd have thought of 'de-canarding' a canard???

Nice one Thomas.

Dizzyfugu · April 24, 2016, 11:29:49 PM

Thanks a lot. The Grifo turned out well - doing a Brasilian Gripen was also a whiffy option, but with the extra surgery job it looks way different, and even using the OOB wings worked fine (considered them to be a bit too small at first). Just a shame that the decals disintegrated or did not adhere well, but for a home-made conversion it's fine.

su27rules · April 25, 2016, 11:35:58 AM

Excellent!!

Army of One · April 26, 2016, 05:37:01 AM

Oh wow.......what a great build......