Before building the prototype of the Breguet firm has spent a considerable amount of aerodynamic experiments on models and layouts of the aircraft, true to scale 1:8, 1:2,5, 1:16 and 1:20. During the blowdown the aerodynamic configuration of the car was made a lot of changes. So, increased the size and changed the configuration of the tail, which was supposed to improve longitudinal and directional stability of the aircraft given the increase in capacity of the power plant, picked up the wing profiles, the configuration of the fairings of the nacelles, which stands out of the main chassis. Models also were selected surfaces, ailerons and flaps. All this work has allowed to avoid significant changes in the structure of the aircraft at the stage of prototype testing. Moreover — given the opportunity not to build it, and all the technical solutions to work on already assembled the second prototype HS.960 received by the time the marking of VG.965. On the plane already assembled a three-man cockpit and avionics, which subsequently was set on Breguet. 1050.
With regards to the period of the financial capacity of the company, this solution will significantly reduce costs and stay within the allotted for the development of term — 4 years (order entered in 1955, and the first serial slopet took to the air in 1959). It should be noted that five cars with numbers from 01 to 05, built between 1956 and 1959, were actually pre-production aircraft, not prototypes (at least officially). At this time the aircraft was established followed by the name of Breguet. 1050 Alize.
The first pre-series car (No. 01) had the following differences from the prototype aircraft:
— tailplane of increased area;
— keel, the original oval shape was trapezoidal with rounded corners;
— a long and spacious fuselage weapons bays in its lower part;
— re-designed the cockpit for radar operator.
On the plane, in the lower part of the fuselage, just behind wing mounted radar antenna in the large radio transparent fairing for the work she produced, and at the end again retracted into the fuselage. This system, developed on the VG project.960 ASM, although weighted design was still preferable to inpatient, due to better aerodynamics was the resulting gain in speed and good directional stability in flight.
There was a problem of selection of the position of the engine. With this question, the engineers at Breguet faced when working on VG.960. The engine was not supposed to marry the fuselage to provide a good overview of the pilot. In addition, it was necessary to maintain the operational characteristics of the aircraft in terms of its deployment in a limited space of an aircraft carrier. Not immediately identified and the place of exhaust gases. For Breguet.1050-01 and 02 exhaust pipe took the exhaust to the right side of the fuselage, under the wing, but the hot air reflected from the flight deck, gave much trouble to the attendants. To eliminate this drawback by cars with numbers from 03 to 05 exhaust pipe from the engine is brought above the wing. This solved the problem and the right side exhaust pipe has become a distinctive feature of all serial Alize.
Pre-Alize (Br.1050-01-05)
VG. 1050-01 took to the air on 5 October 1956. First flight on the new machine was made by the test pilot of Breguet Yves Bruno. For several days the pilot has completed a series of flights in which the aircraft showed good handling in the air and on takeoff and landing. During flight tests, which took place almost to the end of 1957, significant deficiencies in the design and behavior of the aircraft have been identified. The only trouble is, manifested already in the first landings, was overheating of the wheels of the main landing gear, but the engineers overcame it soon, adding to the braking system additional a couple of CD’s.
In early 1957 the aircraft was tested in France, and in may flew to England, where at the air base Bedford where trained British pilots of carrier-based aircraft, were practicing take-off and landing using catapults and arresting gear. Tests in England lasted until November 15, 1957.
Later the aircraft was developing a new turboprop Rolls-Royce Dart R. Da 20 power of 1600 HP and a cooling turbine of more modern design. On VG 1050-01 was first established by the newly developed American radar APS 33 with retractable radio antenna in the fairing.
In 1960, the first of Alize transferred to the aviation school in Rochefort, where he later finished his career as a primary training aircraft pilots and radar operators of carrier-based aircraft.
VG.1050-02 made its first flight on 22 December 1957. The aircraft had conducted tests of the radar GTP and other electronic equipment. But the main problem, which was solved by plane, became leader of the test. One year of HS.1050-02 have flown more than 1,300 hours, which gave the opportunity to determine the reliability of the most loaded components and assemblies, ask them overhaul and assigned the resource. According to the results of machine maintenance ground technical staff have drawn up technical documentation.
Multipurpose carrier-based aircraft BREGUET Br.1050 Alize
In December 1958 VG.1050-02 first of the family Alizé carried out a takeoff and landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier Arromanches.
VG.1050-03 was originally equipped with engine Rolls-Royce Dart R. Da 20. But even prior to the flight, the aircraft set Dart 21 (R. Da 21) with a power of 1950 HP and a new oil radiator. The engine was equipped with new four-bladed screw Breguet-Rotol BR.4, developed by one of the departments of the company Breguet.
The first flight took place on 19 April 1957. At the end of 1958 VG.1050-03 the same as the first Alize was flying over to England, where at the air base in Bedford conducted a new test cycle for the ejection take-off and landing using the aircraft braking system.
In December 1958 VG.1050-03 practiced taking off and landing from the deck of the English aircraft carrier HMS Eagle as opposed to the outdated and small French Arromanches, he was a truly modern ship.
Later on the plane, exploring the techniques and methods of work with the American radar APS 33.
VG.1050-04 immediately manned engine Dart 21 (R. Da 21). The construction of the aircraft was completed in may 1957, and on June 21 machine first took to the air. This aircraft was to be carried out strength and vibration tests. Later on the machine worked out the arms, tested the operation of the system of opening of the valves weapons bays simultaneously with the harvesting and production of radar antenna, determined by the handling characteristics of the aircraft in these flight regimes.
Breguet Br.1050 Alize:
1 – keel (original version); 2 – air brakes; 3 – the exhaust pipes of the engine; 4-antenna radio (original version); 5 —cabin Windows of the radar operator; 6 — air intake air-conditioning system; 7 — right engine hood; 8 — inlet of the turbine starter; 9 — radar in the released (operating) positions; 10 is a modified keel; 11 — modified the radio antenna; 12—sliding part of the canopy of the Navigator; 13 — castles hood; 14—fairing landing lights; 15 rocking of the flaps; 16—radar in the retracted position; 17—trimmers rudder; 18 — the rudder; 19 – antenna navigation system; 20—antenna radios; 21 — visor canopy; 22 — cooling air intake of the engine; the 23 four-bladed variable-pitch propeller; a 24-fold niches cleaned the wheels of the front landing gear; 25—antenna radios; 26– exhaust pipe; 27 — wing pylons; 28 — fold compartment weapons; 29 — the arresting hook in the retracted position; 30—foot pegs; 31 —the cockpit canopy in the open position; 32—sliding part of the canopy of the radar operator; 33—antenna tail warning system on the irradiation of the aircraft RLS of enemy; 34 — hydraulic cylinder; 35—brake hook to a released position; a 36 —fold compartment arms in the open position; 37—strut main landing gear; 38— pissing cleaning the main landing gear in the open position; 39—system antenna warning receiver of the plane of the enemy radar; 40— retractable ladder in working position: 41 —fold niches removed the front landing gear from the covered position; 42 —hour front landing gear; 43— hook ejection start; 44 — hatch styling retractable ladder; 45—flap access to the filling hydraulic components; 46—surveillance radars; 47 —docilely stabilizer; 48 —engine General Electric T-58:49 — accommodation hydroboil additional weapons bays; 50 – wheel main landing gear in the retracted position; 51—gearbox engine: 52 — transmission shaft; 53 is a transparent fairing of the landing lights; 54 – the hood locks; 55—hood nose compartment equipment; 56 Kil is larger; 57— the exhaust pipe; 58 — hood; 59—the variable-pitch propeller
At the end of 1958 VG.1050-04 and VG.1050-03 took part in the campaign against the English aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, in which fully tested the operation of Alize on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
VG.1050-04 became the first aircraft of this type, capable of carrying all provided for him a set of weapons. During testing, it set a radar CSF (DRAA 2A).
From February 1959, the aircraft was used in the test center aviation of France as a flying laboratory.
VG.1050-05 fully consistent with its predecessor — VG.1050-04. The only difference was a modified hydraulic release system of the radar antenna. The construction of the aircraft was completed in June 1957 and 1 August of the same year he made his first flight.
On this machine they worked out the ways of applying various anti-submarine weapons. Testing was completed in January 1959. A few months later, during testing on the deck of the aircraft carrier Arromanches aircraft lost speed and fell into the water. The crew were rescued, but the plane was lost.
Alize in a series of orders and delivery
The initial order received by the firm Breguet in new aircraft from his command Navy, made of 100 machines, however, given the reduction in the military budget, in 1958, the order was reduced to 75 units.
Suddenly interest in the new aircraft showed Indonesia and India, expressed a desire to purchase the Alize. Indonesia received the refusal of the French government, which feared the use of their aircraft in the conflict with the Netherlands — an ally of France. At the same time selling India twelve Alize was approved.
VG.1050 were interested and Navy of Brazil, which was needed carrier-based antisubmarine aircraft carrier Minas Geraes. In 1960, Brazil had carried out a comparative test of VG.1050 Alize and Grumman Tracker. Preference was given to the latter, which had more potential for modernization (by the way, the upgraded aircraft Tracker is currently still are in service with the naval aviation of Brazil).
Thus, the total number of serial Alize was 87 cars and 5 pre-production copies. The first production Sh.1050 was officially transferred to the Navy 31 March 1959, the last on 19 July 1961.
In the service
75 Alize passed to the aircraft fleet of France in 1959 — 1961, had a sequence number 1 — 61, 64,65, 68 — 70, 72 — 77, 80, 86 87. The new aircraft entered service with three flotillas: 4F, 6F and 9F. Earlier, the pilots of all three flotillas (squadrons) were flying outdated American aircraft Avenger.
At the end of the training squadrons flew to their places of permanent deployment, but in its place they practically were not — most of the time the squadron was located on one of the three aircraft carriers — the Arromanches, Foch and Clemanceau or. The first carrier was mainly used for practicing takeoff and landing using catapult staff and arresting gear.
In addition to its main tasks (exploration and undersea search pidok), short Alize in marine campaigns, they sometimes had to participate in special events. So, the machine of squadron 9F double-patrolling and monitoring the areas of the testing by France of nuclear weapons in the Pacific ocean.
In accordance with the plans of the aircraft fleet, aircraft, which were assigned to the squadron, carried out a retraining and training of new crews flying on VG.1050 Alize.
It should be noted that excessive amounts Alize (75 samofatov for the three squadrons in the state of 12 cars) allowed in case of mobilization in wartime quickly doubled the regular number of these aircraft on Board the carrier. For this reason, VG.1050 were involved in such tasks as communications, towing air targets and the training of technical personnel.
By mid-1972, squadron 9F rearmed for new equipment. In the composition of the 4F and 6F squadrons VG. 1050 Alize remained in service until the late 1980s, after which it was replaced by helicopters SA.321.
During the operation Alize has earned the respect and love of flight and technical staff. Pilots noted good handling, ease of placement in the cockpit and the strength of the structure. Technique praised the machine for ease of use and convenience of approach to the engine. The only thing that could be attributed to the shortcomings of aircraft — small engine response. It made pilots very carefully control the speed at takeoff and landing. The engine reacted to the loss of speed late. For this reason, was lost pre-Alize No. 05. It was believed that in the course of serial production of this disadvantage will be eliminated. But as it turned out, completely get rid of it failed.
The plane was easy to manage. Flight program for retraining on Alize took only 15 days (30 flight hours). After two export potatoe pilot allowed for independent departure. After a 15-day training, the crews continued flight training on aircraft carriers.
Indian Breguet 1050
Twelve Alize, which is a part of aircraft of the Indian Navy, IMAPI serial number 62 to 85. Alize the first of this batch (No. 62) first took to the air on 21 October 1960 and was solemnly transferred to India in January 1961. The remaining aircraft of France gave India in the next four months.
All aircraft intended for the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant, which is India priobretu the UK in 1961. To the Indian phase of its service, the carrier was called Hercules (R11). The ship, built in 1945, belonged to the class of Glory (full displacement of the aircraft carrier — 19 500 tons maximum speed — 24.5 knots). In the air group, in addition to the squadron of four Alize, included fighter-bombers, Sea Hawk (10 cars) and four multipurpose helicopter Allouette).
The loading of the aircraft on the aircraft carrier was carried out in Malta, after which Vikrant has left the shores of India. All Alize joined the 300th and 310th anti-submarine squadrons.
In 1968, two VG.1050 Alize with the inscription on Board the “Indian Navy” was transferred to France in return two planes decommissioned from the Navy. Two Alize (#14 and # 18) from the aviation of the French Navy became the exhibits of the aviation Museum.
VG.1050 from structure 310 squadron took part in two short Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971. Particularly active planes used in 1971. During this period, the aircraft carrier Vikrant was stationed off the coast of Bangladesh. The Alize was used for night attacks ground targets, minefields and patrols of coastal waters. During one of these sorties the crew Alize managed to sink a Pakistani submarine of the Daphne type, which also had a French origin. The boat was on the surface and was destroyed by bombs and rocket attacks. During the entire period of hostilities VG.1050 was performed in 70 sorties. Exposed these aircraft mines blown before the end of the war 11 ships. Bomb and missile attacks, the crews Alize, except the submarine managed to sink six gunboats, armed steamers, and boats, as well as eight commercial ocean-going vessels.
One of the Alize the Indians lost. Pakistani F-104 intercepted the Indian aircraft South-East of Karachi, where he was performing a patrol flight. From a direct hit by a rocket Alize exploded in the air.
On the basis of production aircraft was developed in two modifications, which have remained the same powerplant and fuselage, but there were significant changes in the composition of radio-electronic and other equipment and accordingly had to perform specific tasks. The first of these aircraft electronic intelligence and electronic warfare (EW). This modification involves the replacement kit regular electronic equipment.
French carrier-based aircraft BREGUET Br.1050 Alize. The need for double decked multi-role aircraft, capable of reconnaissance, and search and destruction of submarines, came the Navy of France with the deployment of the construction of new aircraft carriers. The order for the development of such aircraft placed on firm Breguet, and such a choice of the contractor was not accidental. In 1946 — 1952 Breguet has worked to develop a plane Breguet Br.960 Vultur and its anti-submarine variant VG.962 AM. It is quite logical that the new aircraft began to design on the basis of tested machines.