War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Alpha Jet E

2024-10-07T10:02:15Z

U58017494: Added the 'Upgraded' values to the 'Characteristics' table

{{About
| about = French strike fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Alpha Jet (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=alpha_jet_e
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1005 || 996 || rowspan="2" |12,200||30.7|| 31.6 || 40.2 || 37.1 || rowspan="2" | 1,000
|-
! Upgraded
|1032||1019||28.8||30.0||61.0||50.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1130 ||390|| ___ ||~580|| ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" |SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-C5||2
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
|295|| colspan="2" |____
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
|{{Tick}}|| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | 
|-
! [[DEFA 553 (30 mm)|30 mm DEFA 553]] cannons (150 rpg)
| || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[DEFA 553 (30 mm)|30 mm DEFA 553]] cannons (180 rpg)
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[SAMP Type 25 200 (250 kg)|250 kg SAMP Type 25 200]] bombs
| 1 || 1, 2 || || 1, 2 || 1
|-
! [[SAMP Type 25 (250 kg)|250 kg SAMP Type 25]] bombs
| 1 || 1, 2 || || 1, 2 || 1
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| 1 || 1, 2 || || 1, 2 || 1
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| 1 || 1, 2 || || 1, 2 || 1
|-
! [[M116A2 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[SNEB type 23]] rockets
| 18, 36 || 18, 36 || || 18, 36 || 18, 36
|-
! 310 l drop tanks
| 1* || || || || 1*
|-
| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 500 kg
|-
| colspan="7" | * Drop tanks must be equipped simultaneously
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon (150 rpg) + 2 x 310 l drop tanks
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 6 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 6 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 6 x 250 kg SAMP Type 25 200 bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 4 x M116A2 incendiary bombs
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 72 x SNEB type 23 rockets
* 1 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon + 144 x SNEB type 23 rockets
* 3 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannons (170 rpg = 510 total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has CCIP, which is rare for its battle rating
* It has rare features for SB at his BR, such as SAS and a modern HUD with sight customization
* Small aircraft, can avoid many shots
* Excellent 30 mm cannons that are great for head-ons
* Very light aircraft, can pull out great manoeuvres

'''Cons:'''

* No RWR or radar
* No guided weapons or air-to-air missiles
* Cannot equip countermeasures
* Equipping bombs makes the plane really heavy (especially M116A2 bombs)

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== [[wt:en/news/8790-development-alpha-jet-a-e-alpha-strike-en|Devblog]] ===
By 1969, both Germany and France had a need for a new generation of jet trainer aircraft to replace their existing inventory of T-33 and Fouga Magister aircraft. It was decided that a collaboration between Dornier and Dassault-Bréguet, with the latter first being two separate companies who later merged, had the best potential for a joint TA (Trainer Attack) aircraft over other competing manufacturers and won out the contest with the TA501.

This aircraft was to satisfy the Luftwaffe's need to also replace their G.91 aircraft in the attack role, while the Armée de l'Air's needs were mostly on the training gap that the Anglo-French Jaguar was initially intended to cover, but ended up being a more advanced supersonic conversion / strike aircraft. As such, two distinct versions of what would be the Alpha Jet were formed. The A - Appui / Attack and the E - Ecole / Trainer versions. These would be produced in sub assemblies in Germany, France and also Belgium.

The first prototype would take to the skies in October 1973 and after many more years of testing and trials, the Alpha Jet would enter French and German service in 1979, going on to be a success story of collaboration between nations. While it still serves to this day with France, the aircraft has also been a huge export success, with multiple nations from Belgium, Portugal and Thailand operating the type, as well as it also being popular with private company operators who use them as aggressor training aircraft in the UK, America and Canada.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=alpha_jet_e Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Alpha Jet (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8790-development-alpha-jet-a-e-alpha-strike-en|[Devblog] Alpha Jet A & E: Alpha Strike!]]

{{AirManufacturer Dassault}}
{{France jet aircraft}}

Hunter F.6 (France)

2024-10-07T10:00:33Z

U58017494: Added the 'Upgraded' values to the Characteristics table

{{About
| about = Dutch jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f6_holland
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]]. This aircraft is quite counter-intuitive to play as a player of the usual french jets, as it behaves very differently, most notably in the aspects of combat speeds and engagement styles. With it's subpar manoeuvrability, but excellent energy retention, and cataclysmic firepower, the Dutch Hunter proposes a unique form of jet combat, based on transsonic boom & zoom, sustained turns, and shallow climb escapes.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The Hunter F.6 is an aircraft which will feel very alien to players who are used to the other, french aircrafts present in the french tech tree. Where a Super Mystère B2 will bleed it's energy significantly, to pull G's at extreme overloads, the Hunter family is of an entirely different breed.

The Hunter excells at energy retention, being able to pull relatively hard turns, but most of all, can sustain a turn for a very long time (tens of seconds, if the scenario allows it). Energy retention and best manoeuvrability are achieved at high subsonic speeds. 800-900 km/h seems to be the standard combat sweet spot.

This superb advantage is counterbalanced by the Hunters relatively poor "on the spot" agility. The aircraft feels sluggish, it's roll rate is mediocre, and nose authority is not very impressive. This is most prevalent without the boosters installed, where reaching "overload" level G's won't be possible under 700km/h approximatively.

The engine of the Hunter F.6 goes well with the airframe it is installed on. Providing a good acceleration (higher acceleration than most first generation afterburning engines, like the General Electric J47-GE-17B found on the F-86K). This acceleration gives out at transsonic speeds, and provides the Hunter good fleeing performances if necessary. The engine gives the best performances closer to the ground, opening for possibilities of horizontal engagement, at low level.

Note : Landing the Hunter F.6 is quite difficult. With a poor airbrake that closes when the gear opens, good energy retention (playing against you, in this situation), no drogue chute, and abysmal wheel brakes, the entire runway will be used.

Small size bases are nearly always too short, and sometimes, the landscape around the longer runway doesn't allow for a clean approach. It is not uncommon to see Hunters perform gear-up landings to mitigate these problems.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1139 || 1133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.6 || 27.2 || 54.2 || 47.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
|1159||1148||23.1||25.0||88.2||70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

In an era where 20-30mm autocanons reign supreme, and missiles become nearly ubiquitous, the Hunter has a very low survivability. Any hitting shot will break a wing, or cripple the engine. While the Hunter can be brought home with significant damage, allies will need to engage the pursuers and save it from danger before any return to base can be accomplished.

In light of the previous note about Hunter landings, belly landing should not be executed above 400km/h, as the risk of explosion increases drastically at higher speeds.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}By default, the Hunter F.6 cannot deploy it's full potential in sustained turns because of the lack of boosters, and the lack of G-suit, necessary to remain awake in these manoeuvres. Hence, Boosters and G-suit are an absolute must.

Once these are obtained, it is usually advised to increase engine power and streamline airflow, with associated modifications.

The missiles can be researched independantly from any other researched. The level of priority given to this modification is at the discretion of the user.

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, chin-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

The ADEN cannons cluster provide a stellar firepower for an aircraft of this size. They are installed in the nose, under the pilot, and thus are nearly perfectly centered. The stream of cannon shells from this weapon pack is nearly continuous, and the hit from only one shell is sufficient to disable even heavy fighters. Smaller agile jets like the Fiat G91 or the Mig-15 tend to explode like a grenade when impacted. by an ADEN explosive round.

The Air Targets belt tends to be the best for the aircraft, as it cannot carry air-to-ground armament, and thus is ill equipped to attack ground targets (even if they work relatively well against pillboxes and light vehicles, in an emergency situation). Stealth munitions will work as well.

Note : the weapon arrangement and firepower is similar to the Vautour II, available in the same tech tree.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

The only suspended armament available to the Hunter F.6 is a pair of AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles. First of their generation, these missiles are subpar at the BR, and can only be used on unsuspecting ennemies, or dogfighters whose potential energy is exhausted.

The capabilities of the missiles lend well to the Hunter F.6 playstyle, as harrassing targets increases the chances of finding them in an unfavourable position., and landing a missile shot.

The drop tanks gives an additional ten minutes of fuel. It if quasi useless for a non afterburning engine, but can be used in conjuction to a minimum internal fuel load, to ensure the fastest escape speeds by dropping them.

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 2 x 150 gal drop tanks
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==
Overall, the Hunter F.6 is an good boom & zoom airframe, and harassing multiple enemies one by one seems to yield optimal results. It is to be kept in mind that the performances of this tactic are largely dependant on the position of the Hunter in the battle. In a uptier, high overload missiles and supersonic opponents will tear the Hunter to shreds. but around it's own BR, the Hunter can engage rapidly and escape furballs, only to regengage when the next opportunity appears.

When examining placement, it can be usefull to flank the initial furballs to ensure low pressure in engagements and increased decision time. Flying at high altitudes is disadvised, as the engine power is lower and agility suffers, making the Hunter very vulnerable to missiles.

When attacking, a shallow dive angle is recommended, to avoid compressibility problems, and remain in the most manoeuvrable speed interval. This stands for escaping as well, where a 10° climb is often enough to zoom away without losing speed, and watching eventual pursuers lose theirs.

With the current opponents, it is also important to know and learns which ennemies carry potent missiles, that might extend their own defense range. Being flareless, the Hunter F.6 will not be able to defend against anything else that a R3S or AIM-9B missile.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

- High acceleration

- Sustains turns well, conserves energy

- Good firepower

- High speed manoeuvrability

*

'''Cons:'''

- Terrible mid speed and low speed handling

- No radar

- Subpar instantaneous turn rate

- Flareless

- Bullets have very low velocity

- Default belt do relatively low damage

*

== History ==

Combat reports from the Korean War quickly indicated that the standard NATO day fighter of the time, the Gloster Meteor, was no longer able to compete with the newest 'enemy' fighters of the time (i.e. the MiG-15), so in 1953 the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces jointly decided to replace their Gloster Meteors by the more advanced Hawker Hunter, which at the time was entering service with the Royal Air Force. While Hawker would provide plans and pattern aircraft for production, the majority of the aircraft destined for the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces would be produced under license by local companies. These were the Belgian aircraft manufacturers Fairey Aviation and SABCA and the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, who would assemble the aircraft; the Belgian arms manufacturer FN-Herstal, who would license-build the Rolls-Royce Avon engines for both Belgian and Dutch production; and the Dutch companies Aviolanda, De Schelde, and Werkspoor, who would produce components for both production lines.

Hawker delivered six pattern aircraft (one built by Hawker and 5 knock-down kits) to Fokker and seven pattern aircraft (one built by Hawker and 6 knock-down kits) to Fairey in March of 1955, which were used to instruct local workers on how to assemble the aircraft. Setting up the production lines took time, but eventually the first locally-built Hunter F.4s were officially handed over to the Royal Netherlands Air Force in February of 1956, followed by the first locally-built Hunter F.4s to the Belgian Air Force in June of 1956.

As was the case with the Gloster Meteor before, production of the Hawker Hunter was not straight-forward. Even though both countries had their own production lines, the actual production and assembly of Hunters was not separated: Fokker built Hunters both for the Belgian and Dutch Air Force - both from knock-down kits produced by Hawker as well as locally-built parts; and Fokker in turn delivered knock-down kits to both Fairey and SABCA in Belgium for local assembly. In addition, Fokker, Fairey and SABCA would also handle the production of 100 aircraft for a third country (rumoured to have been Germany) under a US financed European Off Shore Programme contract; however the deal fell through (with Germany preferring the Canadair Sabre over the Hawker Hunter), with the 100 aircraft being diverted to the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Air Forces instead. In the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Hunter F.4 flew with Nos. 322, 323, 324, 325 and 326 Squadrons; in the Belgian Air Force , the Hunter F.4 flew with Nos. 349, 350, 7, 8, 9, 22 and 26 Squadrons.

Production of the Hunter F.4 variant amounted to 96 for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and 112 for the Belgian Air Force; however even as production was underway, the decision was taken to order additional aircraft as the upgraded Hawker Hunter F.6 variant with a more powerful Avon 203 engine; an improved engine starter system; redesigned tail controls; reinforced wings with wing pylons; and a dogtooth leading edge for improved handling. Both the Belgian and Dutch production lines were modified accordingly, and the first Hunter F.6s started leaving the Fokker production line in March of 1957, followed by those of the Fairey production line in August 1957, and those of the SABCA production line in October 1957. 144 Hunter F.6s were built for Belgium, and although a production of 108 was planned for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, only 93 of these ended up being built.

In Belgian service, between 1957 and 1959 the Hunter F.6 ended up replacing the less powerful Hunter F.4 at Nos. 7, 8, 22 and 26 Squadron; however Nos. 349, 350 and 9 Squadron ended up not converting from the Hunter F.4 to the Hunter F.6, the former two becoming all-weather interceptor squadrons on the Canadair CF.100 Mk.5 instead, and the latter being disbanded due to defence cutbacks. Meanwhile, in Dutch service, the Hunter F.6s replaced their less powerful F.4 brethren at nos. 322, 324, 325 and 326 Squadrons between 1958 and 1960, with 323 Squadron retaining its F.4s. For a while, both air forces ended up fielding a 'hybrid' version as well: older Hunter F.4s were modified with the dogtooth wing of the F.6 variant; however it proved impossible to replace the less powerful Avon 100 variant with the more powerful 200 variant due to the Hunter F.4s narrower internal construction. As such, these hybrid F.4s were short-lived, with the Belgian ones being withdrawn from service in 1959, and the Dutch ones soldiering on until 1962 before being sold for scrapping.

Another important modification which was only implemented by the Royal Netherlands Air Force but not by the Belgian Air Force, is that as early as 1959 its Hawker Hunter F.6s were modified to carry the Philco-Ford GAR-6 Sidewinder - later known as the AIM-9B Sidewinder - to improve its capabilities as an interceptor. As such, the Dutch Hunters were among the first aircraft in the NATO to field the Sidewinder (alongside the Royal Netherlands Air Force's F-86K Sabre, and the Royal Netherlands Navy's Sea Hawk FGA.50s).

Developments in military aviation meant that the Hawker Hunter was quickly being overtaken as a frontline fighter. While it was capable of breaking the sound of speed in a dive it was not a true supersonic design, and in the early 1960s the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces selected the F-104G as a supersonic replacement of the Hawker Hunter. In Belgian service, the existing Hunter units were disbanded, with No. 9 Wing at Bierset (22 and 26 Squadron) disbanding in 1959, and no. 7 Wing at Chièvres (7 and 8 Squadron) disbanding in 1963; in the Netherlands, Nos. 322 and 326 Squadrons disbanded in 1962 (the former reforming on the F-104G in 1964); No. 323 Squadron converted from the Hunter F.6 to the F-104G in 1964; and No. 324 Squadron disbanded in 1964, leaving No. 325 Squadron as the Royal Netherlands Air Forces last operational Hunter Squadron until it was disbanded in 1968.

As a post-script: most of the Hawker Hunter F.6s of the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces were airframes with relatively little flying hours, so the majority of them were sold to Hawker Siddeley, who went on to modify these aircraft and sell them on to numerous other operators world-wide. As such, former Belgian and Dutch Hunters were sold on to Chile, India, Iraq, Jordania, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Qatar.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Hunter (Family)]]
** [[Hunter F.6]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

* [[File:France flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* [[File:USSR flag.png|30px|link=]] [[MiG-17 (Family)]]
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[F-100 (Family)]]
* [[File:Italy flag.png|30px|link=]] [[G.91 (Family)|G.91 Y/YS]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]

{{AirManufacturer Fokker}}
{{France jet aircraft}}

Meteor F Mk.8 (France)

2024-10-07T09:57:38Z

U58017494: Added the upgraded values to Characteristics table

{{About
| about = Belgian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Meteor (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=meteor_fmk8_belgium
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].

Belgium built a fleet of around 240 Meteor F Mk.8 jet fighters, starting with an order of around thirty aircraft from Gloster Aircraft Company in 1949. A larger batch of Meteors was then ordered from production lines in the Netherlands, built by Fokker. Following the completion of that order, Fairey subsidiary Avions Fairey constructed around seventy aircraft locally in Gosselies, Belgium. These aircraft would constitute a large part of Belgium's jet fighter fleet and served until 1963.

This aircraft's camoflage represents Meteor F Mk.8 'EG224' of the Belgian Air Force, currently on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 100 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 922 || 895 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.1 || 24.7 || 33.3 || 31.5 || rowspan="2" | 325
|-
! Upgraded
|976||962||22.0||23.0||48.0||40.2
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 999  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 495 || 462 || 290 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 560 || < 600 || < 620 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 || 2
| colspan="2" | 5,496 kg || colspan="2" | 216 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 443 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 5,953 kg || 6,796 kg || 7,020 kg || 7,511 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,633 kgf || -
| 0.55 || 0.48 || 0.47 || 0.43
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,633 kgf (0 km/h) || -
| 0.55 || 0.48 || 0.47 || 0.43
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front.
* 12.7 mm Steel plate in the nose.
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
* Critical components located at the front and wings of the aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg upper + 190 rpg lower = 780 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 3 x 100 gal external tanks
* 8 x RP-3 rockets
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

The Meteor F Mk 8 (France) is a versatile platform for multiple tasks both in ground and air battles, featuring a competitive armament in air battles and tremendous firepower in ground battles. It is capable of dominating the air in air and ground battles.

'''When in air battles:'''

The Meteor has primarily 3 roles when it comes to air battles: fighter, attacker, bomber. At its br, the Meteor is one of the competitive jet section, not over exceeding in one side but not underperforming either.

'''As a fighter:'''

The Meteor is capable of being on par with many planes at its battle rating. Different from most other British fighters, but the same as the other Meteors and similar to the [[Swift F.1]], it has a Boom and Zoom role when it comes to fighting as it will not be able to turn fight like the [[Vampire FB 5]] or the [[Venom FB.4]]. It should be noted that the Meteor will not outrun most of the enemy jets encountered at its br unlike the Swift F.1. The pilot should maintain energy at all times since the acceleration is not great. When engaging heavier and bigger planes (like enemy attackers and bombers both player and AI) the pilot should always try to maintain either higher altitude than them to make Boom and Zoom or stay under their belly to take advantage of their weakspots ([[Tu-4]] and [[B-29A-BN|B-29]] are the exceptions for belly attacks as they have ventral turrets).

'''As an attacker:'''

The ordnance the Meteor carries is enough to do some ground striking, destroying pillboxes, enemy tanks, artillery outposts, anti air emplacements, etc. There is no rule on which armament the attacker should use, it all depends on the pilot's discretion, map, battle rating, etc. It is recommended to use ground targets belts due to the AP ammunition but universal belts may be enough to deal with light armoured vehicles and light pillboxes, leaving the ordnance for heavier and more armoured threats.

'''When in ground battles:'''

The Meteor has only 1 role in ground battles primarily (superiority fighter can be used but it is not recommended to do so), Close Air Support (CAS). The variety of ordnance is enough to be used in all situations depending on the pilot's discretion. RP-3 are launched in pairs (or in salvo depending on the pilots discretion and rocket settings) and will disable or destroy even the heaviest armour encountered with a couple of rockets. The con of rockets is that they are hard to aim, practice will be required.

When it comes to just the 20 mm cannons, it should be noted that most vehicles the Meteor will encounter ([[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]], [[BMP-2]], etc) will have a poorly armoured roof which the armour-piercing shells will penetrate. Heavier targets ([[ZTZ59D1|ZTZ-59D1]], [[T-62]], [[T-10M]]) will only be able to be killed with suspended ordnance as they will not be able to penetrate the roof.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Engines are a massive improvement over previous models, with high speed and acceleration rates compared
* Great at turning below 650 km/h
* Good climb rate
* Controllable roll rate
* Able to carry RP-3 (unlike other Meteors)

'''Cons:'''

* Hispano Mk V cannons have poor accuracy
* Wing controls tend to lose control ability at higher speeds
* Limited visibility out of the rear of the cockpit

*

== History ==

Following the establishment of the Belgian Air Force in 1946, its day fighter units originally standardised on the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV. However, developments in military aviation made it clear that propeller-driven fighter types such as the Spitfire were verging on the edge of obsolete, and as early as 1947 the Belgian government expressed its interest in jet-powered fighter types. Following the evaluation and demonstration of both the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire at the Melsbroek Air Base in 1947, the former was selected to replace the Spitfires of the Belgian Air Force's no. 1 Wing at Beauvechain, with 48 Meteor F.4s (Belgian serials EF-1 to EF-48) being ordered on March 23rd 1949 to equip the Wing's squadrons, Nos. 349 and 350 Squadrons (16 aircraft each), with the balance initially being stored as attrition replacements before the decision was taken to use the aircraft to establish an additional squadron within the 1st Wing (No. 4 Squadron).

In April of 1948, Belgium became a co-signatory to the Western Union Defence Organisation, and as part of its defence commitments, a profound expansion of the Belgian Air Force was proposed, with its expansion to 12 day fighter and 3 night fighter squadrons. To fulfill these commitments, it was proposed to purchase no less than 288 Meteor day fighters - enough to equip 12 squadrons with 16 aircraft each (or 192 aircraft in total), as well as establishing a 'war reserve' of 50% (or 96 additional aircraft). Following the initial order of 48 Meteor F.4s, a series of follow-up orders was placed for the improved F.8 variant.

The initial order of Belgian Meteor F.8s was made in 1949, consisting of 23 aircraft diverted from an RAF order (Belgian serials EG-201 to 223) for service with 350 Squadron; these were followed by an order of 145 aircraft which would be built under license by Fokker at Schiphol Airport (Belgian serials EG-1 to EG-145) as well as an additional five ex-RAF Meteors overhauled by Fokker (Belgian serials EG-146 to EG-150). In addition, Gloster agreed to deliver 37 knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for assembly at Gosselies (Belgian serials EG-224 to EG-260); Fokker in turn delivered an additional 30 Fokker-produced knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for further assembly (Belgian serials EG-151 to 180).

Deliveries of the Meteor F.8s to the Belgian Air Force started in November of 1950, initially consisting of the diverted RAF order (November 1950 to February 1951); with deliveries of the Fokker-built Meteors commencing a month later (December 1950 to October 1954). The five additional ex-RAF Meteors were delivered in October 1951; and deliveries of Fairey-built Meteors commenced in August of 1952, lasting until October 1954. This steady stream of new aircraft allowed not only for the Belgian Air Force's existing day fighter squadrons to convert to the type, but also for a whole host of new squadrons to be established. Between 1949 and 1958, the 1st Wing at Beauvechain (349, 350 and 4 Squadron, all ex-Spitfire); 7th Wing at Chièvres (7, 8 and 9 Squadron, newly established in 1950); 13th Wing at Brustem (25, 29 and 33 Squadron, newly established in 1953); and 9th Wing at Bierset (22, 26 and 30 Squadron, all ex-Thunderjet); and the Fighter School, Target Tow Flight and 24 Squadron at Koksijde all flew the Meteor F.8; in addition, the 11th Squadron at Beauvechain, even though it was an All-Weather Squadron equipped with the Meteor NF.11 night-fighter variant, also kept a number of Meteor F.8s to allow its pilots to maintain their flying hours.

With the delivery of the Hunter F.4 from June 1956 onwards, the 1st, 7th and 9th Wing would quickly cede their Meteors; while the 13th Wing and 24th Squadron would be disbanded in 1958, leaving only the Fighter School and Target Tow Flight as the Belgian Air Force's sole remaining Meteor units. The latter unit disbanded on November 8th 1963, marking the end of 14 years of Gloster Meteor service in the Belgian Air Force.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Meteor (Family)]]
** [[Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K]]
** [[Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper]]
** [[Meteor F.8 (Israel)]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

* [[File:Germany flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Me 262 (Family)]]
* [[File:USSR flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Su-9]] / [[Su-11]]
* [[File:IJN flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Kikka]]
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[F9F (Family)]]
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[F-80A-5]] / [[F-80C-10|C-10]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]
* [https://www.belgian-wings.be/gloster-meteor-f-8-basis <nowiki>[Belgian Wings]</nowiki> Gloster Meteor F.8]
* https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gloster_Meteor_F.8_%E2%80%98EG224_-_K5-K%E2%80%99_%2834339076780%29.jpg
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avions_Fairey

{{AirManufacturer Gloster}}
{{France jet aircraft}}