Falklands War Commemorative Challenge

[KoleonGray]

Following the succesful invasion of the Southern Atlantic Islands of Turic in 1965, Kallego would seek to expand their military presence by using the pre-existing, albeit bombed out, bases on the island, allowing the capability tocontrol, and if necessary block international shipping routes that presided nearby, and preventing supplies from across the Pond, mainly from the newly inducted Rexington Pact member Redwood, being able to supply Rexington Pact nations residing on the Southern Continent should a hot war develop. To ensure the security of these routes, in 1969 the Kallegian MOD would request a new or modified type of attack aircraft dedicated to an anti-shipping role. In 1970, a joint bid was put forward by Ciel Aviation and Akitsu Heavy Industries (Henceforth AHI).

Ciel Aviation (Aldelian) had prior wanted to further modify their land-based C.133 trainer platform (used in Kallego as the T-4 'Robin') and mature it's limited offensive capabilites to sell to developing armies and sway them into being long-term business partners. Ciel would consult the Fuyukawan nation on their anti-shipping equipment and doctrines, following several successful operations in the Bering Strait, and come to an agreement with the Fuyukawan defense firm AHI to join in on the bid, and in 1972, after several evaluation periods, the bid would be chosen and greenlit for development.

Based on the C.133C/ T-4C, the production aircraft would take the form of a carrier capable ,twin engined, single-seat subsonic attacker, armed with 2 20mm cannons and three under-wing pylons with provision for 2100kg (4629lbs) of payload. Key modifications to the aircraft included upgraded engines, gear and chassis strengthening, folding wings, air-to-air refuelling capabilities and the AHI S24F-88 radar system, which is used to launch and guide the Type 7 anti-ship missile, of which 2 can be mounted on the inboard pylons. Kallego would order 52 such aircraft ready for introduction into the navy by 1976, and with one of their own companies involved in the project as well as a 'tempting' offer (which would later turn out to be bribery), Fuyukawa would take on 20 aircraft for further endeavours in the Bering Strait.

Specifications:
Crew: 1
Length: 12.13 m
Wingspan: 12.26 m
Height: 5.11 m
Empty Weight: 4700 kg (10362 lbs)
Payload: 2100kg (4629lbs)

Powerplant: 2x Foss F20.1 Afterburning Turbojet, 17kN (Dry), 24 kN (Wet)
Top Speed: 900km/h (560 mph)
Service Ceiling: 12,500 m (41,000 ft)

Armaments:
Twin AReC-40 (Automatic Revolving Cannon) 20mm Autocannon, 125 rounds per gun.
Hardpoint provision for up to:
4x March M.130 All Aspect IR Missile
2x Type 7 AShM
Fuel Tanks
Bombs not exceeding 500kg

The aircraft shown in the picture was used by Kallegian-Turicois pilot Lieutenant Yvan Depailler, who on the 12th October 1982, along with 3 other aircraft, took off from and turned around to destroy (or seriously damage) the Essik Air Force base, and then defect to Ametia, a nearby Rexington Pact Nation. Depailler himself would launch his two anti ship missiles on hangers (with one detonating) and strafed several hangers and anti-air guns with his cannons, before turning and departing east for Ametia. Of the 4 aircraft invovled, 1 one would be shot down by an intercepting aircraft from Kallego, 2 would fly back to Essik with both pilots being arrested shortly afterwards, and the aircraft of Depailler would be lost on radar contact over Bowler Bay between the island and the continent. This incident would coincide with a failed coup d'etat on the island capital of Seville, and the day would come to be known as the 2nd Turicois Insurrection.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

ARC Lawrence A71 Taranui
Designed by Lawrence Aircraft and produced by its successor, ARC Lawrence Limited, the A71 Taranui is a small but competent 1960s naval attack aircraft developed for New Holland's Fleet Air Arm.



Development
Development of the Taranui formally commenced in 1957. However, its origin can be traced to an Air Department tender issued in 1953. The Air Force required a modern, high-performance aircraft which could replace the de Havilland Mosquito and DAC Jetfighter in the interceptor role. Lawrence, then an independent company, submitted two designs. The first was an ambitious twin-engine aircraft with a delta wing. It was a true supersonic jet capable of Mach 1.5 at altitude. The second submission was a conservative single-engine swept wing design limited to transonic speeds. Both had nose intakes, but the twin-engine submission could accommodate a large radar. The Air Department favoured Lawrence’s larger design for this reason and the single-engine type languished until 1956 when a replacement for the F-86 Sabre, then entering service, was requested. Lawrence revitalised its single-engine interceptor with a new, more powerful engine and the delta wing of its larger counterpart. Its shape was also modified to partially conform to the transonic area rule. Unfortunately, Lawrence’s submission was lacklustre compared to other offerings. It was a marginal improvement over the Sabre at best and the Air Department selected a competing design for further development.

Salvation came the following year in the form of a Navy Department tender for a lightweight attack aircraft which could operate from New Holland’s aircraft carriers. It was a replacement for the Fairey Gannet in the strike role. Andrew Leigh, the chief designer at Lawrence, redeveloped the earlier Sabre replacement into a suitable aircraft. Supersonic flight was no longer a consideration and performance in this area was exchanged for a stronger fuselage better suited to violent carrier landings and the carriage of heavy ordnance. Up to 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) could be carried, a substantial improvement over the Gannet’s meagre 2,000 lb (907 kg) capacity. The nose intake was replaced with side intakes and a conventional nose accommodating an air-to-surface radar. Standard carrier aircraft accoutrements, such as folding wing tips and a robust tail hook, were also introduced. Leigh’s revised design was criticised for its modest combat radius, but it was the best submission from a holistic perspective. De Havilland New Holland proposed a single-seat strike version of the Sea Vixen. It was larger and heavier than the aircraft envisioned by the Navy Department. DAC submitted a modified version of its own Sabre replacement. However, this aircraft carried less ordnance and the suggested landing speeds were dangerously high for a carrier aircraft.

Lawrence commenced work on two prototypes in early 1959. The company merged with ARC Limited, a competing aircraft manufacturer, in 1961 and formed ARC Lawrence Limited. However, this had little effect on the project. ‘Taranui’, an indigenous name for the Caspian tern, was chosen around this time. Leigh is said to have suggested the name after comparing the nose and canopy of his aircraft to the beak and head of the bird. First flight was achieved in 1962 and a contract for six preproduction aircraft was awarded the following year. Trials on land and aboard the aircraft carrier Passchendaele were promising despite the loss of one airframe in an accident. Having received the designation A71 Taranui, the first production aircraft entered Fleet Air Arm service with 805 Squadron in early 1965.

Service
New Holland aircraft carriers were a common sight in Southeast Asia and it was not long before the Taranui could be seen over Malaysia and Singapore. However, these were training deployments and shows of force. Taranui were not involved in combat operations until the aircraft carrier El Alamein replaced its American counterpart, Forrestal, off North Vietnam in 1967. Though losses were heavier than anticipated, the Taranui’s performance under fire was satisfactory and periodic combat deployments continued throughout the Vietnam War. Sixteen were lost to hostile action, with enemy ground fire being the most common culprit.

ARC Lawrence improved the Taranui over the course of its production and later life, creating four distinct variants. The earliest model, the Taranui A, had a delta wing with a continuous leading edge and no airborne refuelling capability. Its armament was limited, with unguided bombs and rockets being the only ordnance carried. The aircraft was certified to carry torpedoes, but this was never exploited in service. After producing 60 aircraft, ARC Lawrence introduced the improved Taranui B. This incorporated a modified wing with a dogtooth and a refuelling probe. The Indian Naval Air Arm was offered a unique model following its war with Pakistan in 1971. Known in ARC Lawrence marketing material as the Taranui I, this would have incorporated a multi-mode radar and air-to-air missile. Had India shown any interest, it would have replaced the Hawker Sea Hawk aboard Vikrant. While unsuccessful, the Taranui I eventually led to the Taranui C which entered New Holland service from 1978. This is an upgrade of the Taranui B which incorporates new radar, the Sidewinder and Red Top air-to-air missiles, the Martel air-to-ground missile, laser-guided munitions, and countermeasure dispensers. As of January 1989, the Taranui C remains in active service with New Holland’s Fleet Air Arm. Its days are numbered, however, as the McDonnel Douglas F/A-18 Hornet has already replaced it in several squadrons.

Specifications (A71 Taranui C)
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 14.2 m (46.6 ft)
- Wingspan: 7.6 m (24.9 ft)
- Height: 3.2 m (10.5 ft) excluding landing gear
- Empty Weight: 4,309 kg (9,500 lb)
- Gross Weight: 7,195 kg (15,862 lb)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 10,935 kg (24,108 lb)
- Powerplant: Hargrave AJ207, 49 kN (11,000 lbf)
- Maximum Speed: 1,100 km/h (684 mph) at sea level
- Armament: 2 20 mm (0.79 in) revolver cannons, 3 hardpoints rated for 907 kg (2,000 lb), 2 hardpoints rated for 454 kg (1000 lb).
- Avionics: Multimode pulse-Doppler radar

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Here's my entry, hope that the insignia and flag are in order where they are, I'll get to the description later when I find the time.

It's great to see such a unique design. Unfortunately, Challenge Rule 2 states that you may only have "one of the following: unit insignia, manufacturer logo, national flag". You should only depict the insignia or the flag, not both at once. Could you please remove one before the deadline.

[Blackbuck]

Hawker Siddeley "Skyhawk" FRS.2

Nothing particuarly special, just a Spey-engined Skyhawk, a Speyhawk if you will. Extra oomph, extra hardpoints, just an all round better Skyhawk.



Ostensibly procured as a replacement for older types operating on smaller carriers the Speyhawk by the 1980s found itself operating from the three Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers alongside ageing Twosaders and Buccaneers, their small size and versatility comparing favourably against the other types.

The Speyhawk in comparison to the earlier model Skyhawks operating with the Argentinians could carry more, further and had a substantial increase in available power thanks to the Spey for a relatively modest weight penalty from the upsizing of the airframe. During the war they could be found performing all manner of operations, ranging from air-defence picket duties to employing SNEBs and cluster bombs against Argentine positions ashore.

After the war, the Speyhawk would continue to see service until replaced by second-hand stopgap USMC phantoms preceding a purchase of British Aerospace Peregrine ASTOVL fighters in the late 1990s.

[VC_]

Though no longer the superpower it once was, Irvennia was nevertheless a crucial player on the world stage, and still commanded one of the largest navies. As such, her navy required a modern and powerful punch to exercise control of the sea.

The Seaflash was developed to meet a requirement for a specialised anti-ship strike aircraft that was small enough to operate comfortably (and in significant numbers) from Irvennia's relatively small carriers. The aircraft was capable of a low level transonic dash to penetrate the target defenses. It featured two engines for safety/redundancy and a second crew member to operate the navigation and weapons systems.

The Mk.II integrated sea-skimming anti-ship missile capability and air-to-air refuelling. Later marks would see the aircraft become more multi-role, with the addition of another pair of wing pylons outboard and new payload options.

[Charguizard]

The ADSTRA (ADvanced Strike TRAiner) Consortium was formed by Vickers-Armstrongs Aircraft Ltd., Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics and Fleet Aerospace to fulfill a perceived need for a supersonic jet trainer to serve as a step between the jet advanced trainers and the operational conversion twin seaters of frontline units. It was thought at the time that such a plane would offer near-first rate fighter bomber capabilities at affordable prices, which would make an appealing export products, perhaps even to replace the Colony Fighter project and the HAL HF-39 Marut. After a lengthy design period during which the carrier requirement was almost dropped, the engine selected was the Garrett TF125. Part of the deal involved licensing the winning engine for local manufacture in Britain, India, Australia and Pacifica. Airframe components were also licensed to different countries but cockpit and avionics were sourced from Britain. Pacifican and Australian airframes were wholly built in-house. Eventually, the supersonic trainer role didn't manifest as intended, but the aircraft was nonetheless found very useful as a strike platform and 2nd rate fighter. In Pacifica, only VT-7 "Puffins" operates it solely on the advanced trainer role. All operational squadrons have between two and three assigned to them as operational conversion and hacks. The TA7F-3 trainer is fully capable of performing armed missions, though it lacks either a radar or a laser tracker.

[Cruz-del-Delta]

Fabricaciones Argentinas de Material Aeronáutico VA-98 Astra


Desc: A VA-98 Astra of the 2nd Escuadrilla of the COAN during the defense of the Malvinas in Late December, 1982.

The FAMA/Aeritalia VA-98 Astra is a vertical take off and landing fighter aircraft developed for the Armada Argentina and the Regia Marina Italiana. Born to serve in the recently converted anti-submarine carriers of the Armada Argentina the Astra became the first VTOL capable aircraft to be operated by a Hispanoamericn Nation and the third in the Americas overall.

Lore:

The Argentine civil war left the military in shambles after rogue elements tried to depose the Juan Domingo Peron Regime. After a short but brutal war the loyalists won and the navy officers who staged the coup went into exile. In 1965 Democracy returned by the hands of a coalition of Radicals (Left) and National Democrats (Right), this coalition wanted to scrub every mote of influence the regime had in the armed forces so in 1966 then President Arturo Frondizi authorized a new rearmament program and wanted the US to provide it. The massive operation dubbed 'Operativo Pampas' included supersonic fighters, attack aircraft, new tanks ,upgraded ships and two aircraft carriers to replace ones lost in the civil war.

These carriers at first were of the Essex class as per Argentina wishes, but troubles in the US prohibited such a big ship to be acquired. However as a counteroffer The US offered to modify two carriers of SGW (OTL WW2) Vintage to operate CATOBAR Aircraft as a stop-gap. The Argies accepted on the conditions to give the green light to develop their own domestic carriers in the future. With the deal sealed the two carriers were modified and sent to Buenos Aires for refitting in 1967 entering operations in 1968; (ARA 25 de Mayo V4) and 1969 (ARA 9 de Julio V5) respectively.

At first the air component consisted of F-6 Skyrays, A-4s Skyhawks, a domestic helicopter for ASW duties and Grumman S-2 Trackers for Anti-Submarine and AEW Duties. However by the Early 70s this fleet was becoming increasingly obsolete. So the Navy command decided to re-role the carriers to Anti-Submarine/Helicopter duty and so a replacement was sought for the Skyray. A competition was arranged for a new aircraft that could take off and land vertically. the program had many entries including the British Harrier but ultimately the Italian proposal won.

Aeritalia already had the experience and was willing to cooperate for a joint design. So in 1973 the program was approved by both governments and design work started two months later. The final design was now dubbed with the out-of-sequence designation FAMA IA-98 Astra in mid 1975 and a prototype was constructed in 1978 with the aircraft entering service in 1981 with the wing of the ARA 25 de Mayo.

The aircraft's short take-off capabilities made it a critical tool in the rough terrain of the Patagonia and the Atlantic, where the climate impaired Take-off operations from a carrier. In late 1982 Argentina and the United Kingdom went to war for the Atlantic islands. the War of the South Atlantic started with the occupation of the islands by the Argentine forces, the Astra became a really valuable tool thanks to its lack of long runways allowing time for the construction of a airbase in Malvinas, when The British Task Force came to the islands their Air component of Sea Harriers launched from HMS Hermes faced off against the Astras in Mid December, the first encounter while ending in a stealmate, became the first first VTOL on VTOL dogfight at that point. Other contributions to the war effort included assisting in submarine hunting, the defense of the Malvinas/Falkland during the British invasion and most famously, the sinking of the HMS Hermes at the hands of Four Astras and Six Skyhawks dealing a massive blow to the British.

After the war the Astra continued to serve the Argentine Navy receiving incremental upgrades until the replacement to the V4 and V5 came in the 2000s a supersonic Vtol fighter was procured and the last of the Astras ended Argentine service with honors in 2011.


Characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 14,43 m
Wingspan: 7,12 m
Height: 3,03 m
Empty weight: 6.492,5 kg (14,312 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 11,250 kg (24,802 lb) Horizontal
7,645 kg (16,854) Vertical
Powerplant: 2 x Aeritalia/Kaiser Jet J-4V Vectored-thrust turbofan engine, 29.8 kN each thrust for lift and cruise thrust.
Powerplant: 2 x Aeritalia/Kaiser Jet J-6V Vertical turbofan engine, 30.2 kN thrust each lift-jets in fwd fuselage behind the cockpit

Performance

Maximum speed: 1,160 km/h (720 mph, 626 kn)
Range: 1000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39370 ft)
Rate of climb: 80 m/s (15,748 ft/min)

Armament

Guns: Fabricaciones Militares Sociedad del Estado CA-30 Gun Pod carried under the external pylons of wings.
Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets: various types of rockets (up to 240 mm)
Missiles: 2 air-to-surface AS-10K Martin Pescador. The AS-10K was manually guided by radio on the cabin of the Astra. Later replaced by the Anti-ship AS-35K Alcaudon domestic missile. AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles could be carried under the external pylons for self defense later replaced by the domestic AA-30K Skua.
Bombs: two Mk84 or four Mk82 general-purpose bombs under pylons.
Other: external tanks.

Edit: First challenge and managed to post it on time!

[MrJetMan]

GRA-71MK



Overview
Origin: People’s Republic of New Marniya
Operators:
-Marnin Navy (1974-2010)
-Jasinovalkia People’s Air Force (1978-Present)
-Kotillnin Air Force (1980-2021)
-Banepuran Air Force (1982-Present)
-Banepuran Navy (1988-Present)
Designers/Builders: Grigoriev Ryblinkov Aviation Plant
First Flight: September 26th, 1969
Production: 1969-1988
Service: 1971-Present
Total Built: 488

General Characteristics
Dimensions (L-W-H): 15.4m x 8.8m x 6.6m
Total Weight (Empty/Max): 6,389 kg (Empty) 12,981 kg (Max Takeoff)
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Populsion: x1 Kamvatel K68SV Vectored Thrust Turbofan Engine (Thrust/Lift) x2 Lubyank K68P-2 Turbojet Engines (Lift)
Speed: 1,210 km/h
Range: 1,400 km

Electronic Systems
-Udachliv-1 Designator System
-KGP-7 Kaltvik IRST
-VN/701 Navigation System
-URP-20AN RWR

Armament
Guns: x1 or x2 Piztak-Bushayin PvB-22-2 Autocannons
Pylons: x5 With 2,000 kg capacity

Ordinance Options
Missiles
Air to Air:
-R-65IM
-R-82IM
Air to Ground:
-Pr-20M
-Pr-25ML
-Pr-30ML
Anti Radiation:
-PrR-65P
Rockets
-NR-3
-NR-10
-NR-30
-NR-35

Bombs
Dumb Bombs:
-AB-100
-AB-250
-AB-50
Laser Guided:
-LUAB-500
Incendiary:
-ZAB-100
-ZAB-250
Nuclear:
-YAB-900

Other
-External Fuel Tanks

GRA-71 Series Aircraft

The GRA-71K is Marniya’s the first successful dedicated naval aircraft built for the Marnin Navy and subsequently sold to overseas buyers. The plane was designed for use on the Yeleksin Class Aviation Cruisers, and used until 2010, when they were fully retired for the GRA-90K with the Marnin Navy.

Development and Service

The GRA-71K’s first drafts were done by the GRA design bureau during the 1960s, roughly at the same time as the first Yeleksin Class Aviation Cruiser’s keel laying. The first drafts depicted a VTOL fighter using vectored thrust nozzles, not too dissimilar to those showing up on Western VTOL prototypes. However, based on development from the GRA-12K, the GRA design bureau concluded that this configuration was not possible given the current technology at the designers disposal. It was projected that the fighter wouldn’t be functional until the mid 1980s, well after the Yeleksin Class Aviation Cruiser’s entry into service. Plans instead were made to cut corners by developing an engine that only used 2 vectored thrust nozzles, and using a pair of lift jet engines instead to provide forward lift.

The rush job was ready barely on time, and as a result the first Yeleksin Class Aviation Cruiser set out with only 5 aircraft in its airwing. It would take several months for the first complete air wing to enter service on the Comrade Vice Admiral Ulakovic, and all subsequent Yeleksin Class ships would enter service with their full airwing of GRA-71s. GRA-71Ks would see service on 3 classes of Marnin ships, the Yeleksin Class Aviation Cruisers, the Valkirova Class Fleet Aviation Cruisers, and the Bulganin Class Landing Assault Ships. The GRA-71K would see limited service on other vessels, but most notably would be converted for use on Ro-Ro ferries during the 2nd Ludechen-Marnin War. This was done in order to mobilize the surplus of GRA-71Ks operating off land based naval air bases, due to the unavailability of space on Marnin naval vessels designed to carry them.

The export GRA-71E series continues to see heavy use by foreign air forces and navies. The GRA-71EK is an exclusive export naval model designed for the Banepuran Navy during the late 80s, for their use on the purchased Lakatik Class Helicopter Cruiser. Meanwhile, GRA-71EMs continue to service with both the Banepuran and Jasinovalkian air forces. During the GRA-71’s early service life with the Marnin and Jasinovalkian militaries, many reliability issues and shortcomings were noticed with the plane. Among these issues was a tendency for the forward lift jets to suffer compressor stalls or overheat while in VTOL mode. These issues were ironed out in all subsequent GRA-71M models, however, the high attention to maintenance continues to plague the aircraft even today, as mechanical failure due to poor upkeep has accounted for over 80% of all GRA-71 related accidents since the release of the GRA-71MK and EM.

Variants

GRA-71K
Initial production run of the GRA-71, running until 1971 and recalled one by one due to mechanical problems until upgraded into the GRA-71MK.

GRA-71E
Downgraded export variant of the GRA-71, most notably the deletion of the internal designator system.

GRA-71MK
Upgraded model of the GRA-71 with improved engine and stabilization systems, as well as wingtip pylons and an enhanced designator system.

GRA-71EM
Modernized export variant with the same engine and stabilization enhancements as the GRA-71MK in order to reduce failure.

GRA-71EK
Unique naval export model for the Banepuran Navy.

GRA-71ET
Trainer model of the GRA-71E.

GRA-71KT
Trainer model of the GRA-71K.

[Garlicdesign]

Hello everyone and a happy new year to all!

My two cents for this challenge: Not entirely new, but fits the specs like a glove.

Yakovlev Yak-39 ‘Fungus/Mushroom’
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Yakovlev built a series of unsuccessful VTOL designs, culminating in the Yak-38 of 1974. Their main problem was that the Navy, for which they were designed, did not want any, because they feared the CTOL carrier programme might be cut short in favour of less capable, but also less costly aviation cruisers embarking a dozen second-rate planes at best. In a rare instance of initiative, Yakovlev tried to salvage the design by converting it to a CTOL trainer aircraft to replace the Yak-31 UTI, with a single-seat light strike derivative for export as an afterthought. Both designs received the OKB designator Yak-120. The plane resembled the VTOL Yak-38, but had a shorter hull (no space for lift engines needed) and wider wings providing good low speed flight characteristics. Power was provided by two Ivchenko AI-25FR turbofans, a reheated version of the standard AI-25 which delivered 18.5 KN dry and had an afterburner for 27 KN wet thrust. At an empty weight of 4.700 kilograms, the Yak-120 had ample internal fuel stowage and four hard points each cleared for 800 kilograms payload; a twin 23mm autocannon was mounted beneath the belly. Flight tests in 1976 proved great agility and excellent low altitude characteristics, with a top speed of 1.200 kph (Mach 0.95); at altitude, the plane was transonic, capable of 1.400 kph (Mach 1.3). It was the first Soviet combat aircraft with fuel-efficient turbofan engines, and with full external payload, a radius of action of 800 km was attained, almost as much as the much larger Yak-34, whose payload was only 20% bigger. The Yak-120 had a navigation radar, FLIR, IRST and a combined internal laser rangefinder/designator; it could employ the full range of Soviet air-to-ground ordnance without having to use external targeting pods. By substituting one Yak-34 squadron per carrier with two squadrons of the new plane, air group size of a Kiev-class ship could be increased to 65, at very little loss in capability per plane. Additionally, the Yak-34 was neither designed for nor very good at low altitude penetration missions; the smaller Yak-120 could fly low-low-low mission profiles and evade much of NATO’s defensive measures, which were tailor-made to counter high-altitude saturation strikes. Based on these considerations, the Yak-120 was commissioned as Yak-39 in 1977, and 150 machines (including 50 trainers) were ordered to supplement the Yak-34 and start replacing the Yak-31 UTI. Deliveries were processed in 1978 and 1979. When NATO became aware of the type, it received the less than flattering reporting name Fungus. The planes were instantly popular, and a follow-on order of 150 – half of them trainers – was issued in 1979, to be delivered between 1980 and 1982. To remain in theme, the trainer version was assigned the NATO reporting name Mushroom.



Cheers
GD

[jjx indoweeb]

"Little Devil" of the Merdic Navy, the G/C Satin

30 years of the Little Devil
Aeregal 2, 1982

This opening month of the year, the Merdic Navy conducted EXOFFEN Touphan with the main focus of improving carrier strike group capability.
As per usual, this occasion will serve as the proving ground for newer weapons, equipment, and systems.
The Navy has undergone many changes in these five years alone, but one thing that remains unscathed is the Voltaire Aerosysteme G/C Satin as the main strike fighter of carrier groups.

Nicknamed the "Little Devil" for its measly figure and impressive bombload, the Satin In fact possesses the bombload capacity equivalent to that of a vintage M.SB. 450a heavy bomber
at 3.9 tons on five hardpoints.
The Satin has its roots in the cancelled P.A 21 1949 attacker specification for the Air Force, which results in its strange appearance.
Originally, the intake was placed on the top of the fuselage to allow a small bomb bay to be placed in the bottom according to the specification.

The first airframe, designated VV-2 conducted the first flight tests in 1951, but soon the aircraft encountered problems with compressor stalling at high angles of attack.
The aircraft subsequently stalled out of the sky and landed with it's landing gears still retracted, severely damaging the frame though the pilot was able to eject.
To counter this, the second airframe included a retractable intake under each wing root that is actuated by the automatic flaps upon going an angle of 20 degrees.
Initial tests proved successful, though the project was cancelled due to the Air Force's favor of a dedicated strategic bomber.

The next year, work on the design continued as the navy has issued a specification for it's own attacker.
Voltaire issued a design based on the VV-2 with major redesigns of the mid fuselage, as well as addition of a strengthened undercarriage and folding wings.
The naval version first flew in mid-1952, and it passed the program with flying colors, earning the naval designation Greveer Chasseur Satin, G/C 200.
The name came about due to the humpback aspect of the fuselage, bearing a resemblance to the Old Merd folklore devil Esatten. And thus, it is affectionately named Satin, the "Little Devil"

Fast forward to present time, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the model from it's first flight.
Over the years, the Satin has proved it's capability as a strike aircraft admirably with pilots and airmen noting that it's nimbleness and practicality owed to it's small size.
Notable operators include the Merdurian Air Force and Navy, Mercian Navy, and even an active combat role in the Calabar Air Force fighting against insurgents.

The currently most modern version of the type is the Satin S.M which first flew in 1979, with the capability to launch laser guided missiles.
Armaments configuration is retained from previous models, which swaps out the fuselage hardpoint with a 2x20mm Mit.50G double barreled cannon.

Last week, Satins of Naval Groupee du Attack 19 of NA L'arc En Ciel conducted missile practice off the shore of Charlamot Bay.
As acknowledgement of the anniversary, the group was cleared to use a devil decal, an ode to it's namesake.
The Satin continues to perform well as an integral part of the Merdic Navy carrier strike element, and it is projected to stay in service for another decade with upgrades planned to take on better performance and heavier, more complex armaments.

Truly, this is one little devil not to be underestimated!


Afterword : Happy new year folks, hope you all enjoy this little plane and a faux in-universe article for the writeup :) please take it lightly since i havent thought of any interesting developments lore-wise. and oh, speaking of performance, it's basically a skyhawk. Cheers!