DONE +++ Dassault Étendard in Indonesian (TNI-AL), post-Aéronavale use

[Dizzyfugu]

Kit has been finished this morning with the lens for the laser range finder. WiP documentation to be updated later, beauty pics next, but these will take a couple of days.

[Dizzyfugu]

In the meantime: the design benchmark - not specifically these Indonesian F-5's, but the scheme itself, nicknamed "Grape" and actually an US aggressor scheme:



In this case the paint seems to be rather fresh and clean.

[Old Wombat]

Rather funky scheme, that. Kinda Russian-looking.

[Dizzyfugu]

So, finishing touches to Dassult Ètendard IVS '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies:

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Looks better than expected! 

Beauty pics to follow soon.

[su27rules]

 

[Captain Canada]

Lovely ! Looks great in those colours and markings 

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you. Did the first beauty shot session last evening, and as far as I can tell this paint scheme appears to be very effective over Indonesian waters. Blends very well with the surroundings.
Quality check and editing next.

[comrade harps]

the subtleties of the extended nose (with strakes) and rear and that camo is a thing of beauty 

You are an artist (sculptor, likely). 

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you. And now, with some delay, more info concerning the Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies:

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



Some background:
The Étendard's history begins with two design requirements in the early 1950s. One was for a light jet fighter for the French Air Force, the other for a light fighter to serve as standard equipment with NATO air forces (from which Fiat's G.91 eventually emerged). Dassault used variations of the same basic design to produce prototypes for both these specifications, designated the Étendard II and Étendard VI respectively, but neither of which led to any orders. At the same time, the company evolved a larger and more powerful variant, originally designated Mystère XXIV, as a private venture.

Able to generate interest from the Navy, Dassault built a prototype of a navalised version. It was first demonstrated to the service in 1958. An order was placed which resulted in 69 fighter aircraft, designated Étendard IVM, and 21 reconnaissance versions designated Étendard IVP. From 1962, these began to be deployed aboard the new French Clemenceau class aircraft carriers.

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Performance of the Étendard IV was never spectacular: low supersonic range at altitude, Mach 1.3 at 11,000 meters and Mach 0.97 at low altitude. In the 1970s it was clear that a replacement should be sought. For some time, this was hoped to be a navalised version of the SEPECAT Jaguar, the Jaguar M. But as the various political problems of the joint Anglo-French effort dragged out development, Dassault stepped in with an uprated version of the Étendard, dubbed Super Étendard, which began to replace its progenitor from 1978 on. The last of the original Étendard IVMs were withdrawn from the Aéronavale in 1991, although a handful of IVPs remained operational until 2004.

Even though the Étendard had only limited capability, airframes in good condition and with few flying hours found a taker: Israel, namely IAI. From 1980 until 1992, a total of thirty Étendard IVM an IVP found their way to Bedek, originally intended for a national naval strike fighter program for the IDF.

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Anyway, interest in this project soon waned when the IDF was offered the F-16, and the updated IAI Kfir C2 and C7 were already in service, so that export customers for the updated Étendards were sought for. This customer appeared after several years in the form of Indonesia. In 1989, the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, TNI–AL) took interest in these planes, after the USA put an embargo on running F-16 deliveries due to political differences over the independence of East Timor and Indonesia's military engagement in this conflict. Left without a modern attack aircraft (and a rotting fleet of aircraft of Soviet origin as well as light fighters like the F-5E), Indonesia looked for an alternative and found the fleet of unwanted Étendards in Israel.

After a major overhaul, the machines were revamped and updated, tailored to the new customer's needs. and re-designated Ètendard IVS. Main changes encompassed the installation of a non-afterburning Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojet with variable inlet guide vanes and 11,200 lbf (50 kN) of thrust instead of the original SNECMA Atar 8K-50 non-afterburning turbojet (rated at 11,025 lbs/49.0 kN), recognizable by the different nozzle arrangement. The IAI had experience with such an engine switch from its highly successful Super Mystère "Sa'ar" conversion in 1973, and Indonesia already used the J52 in its own Skyhawk fleet (also bought from Israel), so that costs for maintenance was appreciably lowered and the existing infrastructure could be used further. 

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The avionics suite was also modernized with domestic products. This update included an Elta EL/M-2021B pulse-Doppler radar (replacing the simple original Dassault Aida 7 navigation radar) in a re-shaped, deeper nose, together with a retractable refuelling probe.
Advanced systems, e. g. a NAVWASS (NAVigation And Weapon Aiming Sub-System) for attacking without use of radar and a Ferranti 105-S laser range finder and marked target seeker, added in a wedge-shaped fairing under the nose (the original stabilizer fin was deleted), now allowed the use of 'smart' weapons.

Ergonomics were improved, too, through a revised cockpit with more sophisticated electronics and displays. Overall performance was not significantly enhanced and even though the reconditioned Indonesian planes would exclusively be based at land, they retained their former carrier capabilities.

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


A total of 24 Étendard IVS strike aircraft were purchased and converted (actually all former  Étendard IVM airframes), replacing some of the ageing A-4E Skyhawk fighter-bombers of Israeli origin and freeing Indonesian F-5Es from the ground attack/CAS role, leaving them to interceptor duties together with the few TNI AU's operational F-16s.

The Étendards were grouped under TNI–AL's newly formed 801st Skadron (Squadron), building two attack flights and supplementing 800th Squadron with GAF Nomad Searchmaster B's and Searchmaster L twin-turboprops in their maritime patrol role. Consequentially, the 'new' Étendards bore the Indonesian Navy's insignia. Despite their age and simplicity, the Étendards added some serious 'punch' to TNI–AL's maritime duties, helping protect the islands and coastlines surrounding Indonesia and defend them against seaborne threats.

The Indonesian Ètendards did not see a long active career, though: the age of the airframes took its toll. Maintenance effort was higher than expected, and two planes were lost in a tragic air crash during mock air combat in 1994.
From 1997 on, with an order for twelve Su-30K fighters from Russia and more modern and economical BAe Hawk Mk. 109 and 209 available for the strike role, the vintage Étendards were quickly and ultimately phased out. The last Étendard IVS made its final flight from Juanda Air Base on Surabaya on August 5th 2001.

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 14.40 m (47 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Height: 3.79 m (12 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 29 m² (312 ft²)
Empty weight: 5.960 kg (13.130 lb)
Loaded weight: 8.380 kg (18,470 lb)
Max. take-off weight: 10,750 kg (23,700 lb)
Wing loading: 282 kg/m² (57 lbs/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.54

Performance:
Maximum speed: 1,000 km/h (637 knots, 733 mph) at low level,
                       1,099 km/h (700 knots, 806 mph) at height
Range: 1.820 km (983 nmi, 1.130 mi)
Combat radius: 850 km (460 nmi, 530 mi) w. external stores & two drop tanks, hi-lo-hi profile
Service ceiling: 15,500 m (50,900 ft)
Rate of climb: 100 m/s (19,700 ft/min)

Powerplant:
1× Non-afterburning Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojet rated at 11,200 lbf (50 kN) of thrust

Armament:
2× 30 mm (1.18 in) DEFA 552 cannons with 150 rounds per gun;
1.500 kg (3,300 lb) of payload on four external hardpoints, including a variety of guided and unguided bombs, Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each, drop tanks and AIM-9 Sidewinder or Matra Magic AAMs.



1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Dassult Ètendard IVS; '(TL-01)12' of the 801st Skadron, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL/Indonesian Navy); Juanda Air Base, mid 1990ies (Whif/modified Heller kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[JasonW]

Wow. Certainly looks the part.

I'm always taken aback by how convincing your ideas are and the builds look. Certainly believable.

[Old Wombat]

Very nice!

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you very much! 

[PR19_Kit]

Very good, and wholly believable too. 

I reckon the TNI-AL chose that pentaral just because no-one else in the world used that shape.  (Someone's looking for another one right now I bet....)

[zenrat]

Isn't there an African Air Force that uses pentagons?

Excellent pics Dizz.  I love the runway shot.

I've just been looking at pics of Indonesian F16s and there's some tasty Aqua & Grey camo schemes.

Edit:  South Africa used a pentagon with pointy bits on the corners from 1958 to 2003.  That's what I was thinking of.

[PR19_Kit]

Edit:  South Africa used a pentagon with pointy bits on the corners from 1958 to 2003.  That's what I was thinking of.

Yes indeed. That shape had something to do with a castle somewhere IIRC.