M.D.452 IIA
| This page is about the French jet fighter M.D.452 IIA. For other versions, see Mystere (Family). |
Contents
Description
The Dassault MD 452 Mystère II was developed using the MD 450 as a basis, it was basically an improvement of the design, with more powerful engines and a swept wing design that allowed higher top speeds and better agility at high energy states. The M.D 452 IIA was one of the earlier preproduction variants of the Mystere II. With the second and third prototypes receiving this designation, unlike further variants this ones were powered by a Rolls-Royce Tay engine.
It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France". The M.D 452 IIA is very simmilar to the earlier M.D 450 Mystere, but it relies more on its performance at higher speeds. At its BR is not the fastest nor the slowest, it sits in a middle point, with a similar playstyle to delta wing fighter, since it bleeds energy quickly during sharp turns and other movements. Thus it is important to remain fast at all moments, picking up enemies they are not paying attention and playing as a support fighter.
General info
Flight performance
The M.D.452 IIA is something of a jack of all trades, while less potent in nearly every aspect than the M.D.452 IIC. Its flight performances are balanced, if a bit slow in accelerations. The roll rate is excellent at medium to high speeds (550 - 900 km/h), giving the aircraft many options for evasive manoeuvres, and although energy-bleeding, the turn rate is good against most enemies. This version carries a cluster of four 20 mm M50 canons, which fare moderately at this battle rating.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 992 | 962 | 13000 | 26.5 | 27.0 | 30.4 | 28.9 | 800 |
| Upgraded | 1,040 | 1,030 | 23.8 | 25.0 | 44.3 | 37.0 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1108 | 450 | 627 | 598 | 450 | ~11 | ~4 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 620 | < 700 | < 740 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Empty mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | |||
| Hispano-Suiza Tay Mk.250 | 1 | 5,540 kg | 230 kg/m2 | |||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | ||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 8m fuel | 20m fuel | 28m fuel | ||
| 950 kg | Centrifugal-flow turbojet | 5,955 kg | 6,555 kg | 6,955 kg | 10,500 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%) | |||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 8m fuel | 20m fuel | 28m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 2,856 kgf | N/A | 0.48 | 0.44 | 0.41 | 0.27 |
| Optimal | 2,856 kgf (0 km/h) |
N/A | 0.48 | 0.44 | 0.41 | 0.27 |
Survivability and armour
- 40 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
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Armaments
Offensive armament
The M.D.452 IIA is armed with:
- 4 x 20 mm M50 cannons, chin-mounted (125 rpg = 500 total)
The four machine guns are clustered on the underside of the fuselage, directly below the pilot. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that all guns will fire together until empty.
Like all French aircraft in all battle rating, the default ammunition belt is extremely underwhelming, with "practice rounds" representing 25% of the belt composition. As such, the research of the newer sets of ammo belts should be prioritized. Once upgraded, the M.D.452 IIA will still struggle to destroy an enemy plane in a single pass, but each hitting burst is decisive as the rounds are potent enough to severely damage the adversaries' engine/controls/wing surface.
Usage in battles
The M.D.452 IIA is generally more manoeuvrable than most other contemporary aircraft it faces, the only ones you would have a tough time turning with at this battle rating would be any of the Sabres. Since its roll rate is comparable to the Sabre's once the "New Boosters" modification is installed, the option of turnfighting becomes available, although speed will be bled at a relatively high rate. Still, like the predecessors of the Mystère II, boom & zooming should remain the first choice in engagements; but unlike the M.D.452 IIC, this aircraft's engine is slightly less powerful, and one or two minutes of sideclimb might be necessary to remain in control of the engagement situation. Commands stiffening doesn't appear under around 1,000-1,050 km/h, and subtle use of airbrakes will be necessary to ensure control during the whole descent.
Overall, the M.D.452 IIA should be considered as a second line fighter, and fares better when paired with support. Another secondary role can be as a harasser, BnZing many different enemies, to damage them, and go around later for another decisive pass, or even letting allies finish off the disabled foes.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good turn rate between 550 km/h and 900 km/h
- Decent climb rate
- Strong and effective flaps
- Nose-mounted 20 mm guns
- Good ammo choices
- Quite nice when downtiered in battles
- Guns equipped with belts other than the stock option can quickly down or critically damage the opponent
- With all modifications, can deal with MiG-15 and Sabres, but these interceptors are still superior
- Easy to fly and land with a ripped wingtip or even whole wing
Cons:
- "Default" ammunition belt is underperforming for the rank
- Stock performance is lacking
- Slow compared to other contemporary aircraft
- Poor horizontal energy retention compared to its predecessors
- Fragile; a few hits of enemy fire will make controlling the aircraft more difficult
- 500 bullets so some practice in needed
- Nearly no armour, pilot knockouts are really common
- 20 mm guns can spark
History
The M.D.452 Mystere was a swept-wing air superiority fighter developed by Dassault Aviation, derived from the M.D.450 Ouragan. The aircraft combined the fuselage of the Ouragan with a new swept-wing, enabling it to reach much faster speeds than its predecessor. In 1951, the Mystere IIA became the first French-designed plane to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive.[1] Later on, the aircraft would enter service with the French Air force, and serve until 1957, when it was relegated to training duties.
Design and Development
The M.D.452 Mystere was originally designed as an advanced variant of the preceding M.D. 450 Ouragan, with a new wing section and engine. In 1950, Marcel Dassault, the head of the Dassault aviation firm, signed a contract to produce an M.D.450 Ouragan with a new thinner wing section.[1] The aircraft had a wing swept back at 30 degrees compared to the Ouragan's 14 degrees, and was powered by a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Nene. During tests, the aircraft showed significantly better climb rate and top speed, being capable of reaching transonic speeds. After four prototypes, the M.D.452 IIA was developed, carrying four 20 mm Hispano cannons and the Rolls-Royce Tay engine. On October 28th 1951, a Mystere IIA became the first French aircraft to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive.[2]
However, the M.D.452 IIA failed to enter service, as it was rapidly replaced by the M.D.452 IIB and IIC. The IIB and IIC retained the wing and fuselage of the IIA, while featuring a new intake design and a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons in place of the IIA's four Hispanos. The new IIC was re-engined with a SNECMA Atar turbojet, capable of producing 25 kN of thrust.[2] The M.D.452 IIC would later go on to enter service, serving between 1954 and 1963.
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
- Aircraft of a similar configuration, role or era
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MD 452 Mystère II." Dassault Aviation. https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/passion/aircraft/military-dassault-aircraft/md-452-mystere-ii/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Dassault Ouragan, Mystere, & Super Mystere." Greg Goebel. http://www.airvectors.net/avmyst.html
| Dassault Aviation | |
|---|---|
| WW2* | |
| Fighters | M.B.152C1 · M.B.157 |
| Bombers | M.B.162 · M.B.174A-3 · M.B.175T |
| Jet Aircraft | |
| M.D 450 | M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.450B Ouragan |
| Mystère | M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA |
| Super Mystère | Super Mystere B2 |
| Étendard | Etendard IVM |
| Super Étendard | Super Etendard |
| Alpha Jet | Alpha Jet E** |
| Mirage | |
| Mirage III | Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan |
| Mirage V | Mirage 5F |
| Mirage F1 | Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT |
| Mirage 2000 | Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000D-R1 · Mirage 2000D-RMV |
| Mirage 4000 | Mirage 4000 |
| Export | |
| M.D 450 | M.D.450B Ouragan |
| Mystere | Mystere IVA |
| Super Mystère | Sambad · Sa'ar*** |
| Mirage | Shahak · ▄Mirage 5BA · ␗Mirage 2000-5Ei |
| *The company was named "Société des Avions Marcel Bloch" before being renamed in 1947 | |
| **Jointly manufactured with Dornier Flugzeugwerke | |
| ***Israeli Super Mystère refitted with new avionics and an American engine | |
| See also | SABCA |
| France jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | M.D.450B Ouragan · M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA · Super Mystere B2 |
| ▄F-86K · ▄F-100D · ▄F-8E(FN) | |
| Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan · Mirage 5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 4000 | |
| Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT | |
| Strike aircraft | ▄F-84F · F-84F IAF · ▄F-84G-26-RE |
| Etendard IVM · Super Etendard · Alpha Jet E | |
| Jaguar A · Jaguar E · Mirage 2000D-R1 · Mirage 2000D-RMV | |
| Bombers | S.O.4050 Vautour IIA · Vautour IIA IDF/AF · S.O.4050 Vautour IIB · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN (late) |
| Belgium | ▄Meteor F Mk.8 · ▄Mirage 5BA · ▄F-104G · ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM |
| Netherlands | ◘Sea Hawk Mk.50 · ◘Hunter F.6 |
