The plane Taon had normal aerodynamic design with swept wings (43 degrees along the line of the 1/4 chord). On VG.1001 installed one Bristol Orpheus turbojet VOG.2 maximum thrust 2050 kgs. Designers have assumed that engine he will be able to achieve in horizontal flight the maximum speed corresponding to the number M = 0,95. When you install afterburner, increasing engine thrust to 2720 kgf, and at flight weight of the aircraft 3770 kg, its maximum speed had to exceed sonic (Mach number = 1,15).
In addition to small arms, consisting of two 30-mm guns with ammunition 120 rounds each, under the wing of the plane could be suspended for two 225-kg bombs, two 350-kg tank with Napalm or unmanaged 12 76-mm rockets.
The Plane VG.The 1100 had some things in common with VG.1001 — the same bow section of the fuselage and the cockpit, however, the power plant consisted of two TRD. In addition to small arms, consisting of two 30-mm guns with ammunition for 100 rounds each, the plane had to carry 29 missiles under the wing, and 30 — under the fuselage in a retractable container. Project VG.1100 was assumed that in horizontal flight at an altitude of 6000 m, the plane reaches the speed corresponding to the number M=1, the rate of climb of 70 m/s and the flight duration was 1 hour and 20 minutes. The first prototype HS.1001 flew on 26 July 1957.
The second prototype with a slightly lengthened fuselage had minor improvements of aerodynamic characteristics. To improve speed characteristics of the aircraft, the root portion :;of the snout has been installed aerodynamic flows, the cavity which used to house fuel. Improved sample 25 APR 1958 set a world speed record, flying the closed route of 1000 km with an average speed of 1046,65 km/h at an altitude of 7620 m. 23 Jul Taon broke its record, showing the speed of 1075 km/h.
In the fight for contracts to produce a new attack aircraft and joined Italy. Designer Giuseppe Gabrielli with the FIAT company, known for the development of the first Italian jet training aircraft G. 80, suggested
G. 91, in appearance resembling the F-95 (modification of F-86D Sabr). The plane had a low wing sweep of 35 degrees along the line of the 1/4 chord relative thickness of 6 to 6.6 percent. Equipment, weapons and gear was in the fuselage.
Armament consisted of two 30-mm guns with exit openings for trunks in the lip of the inlet. In addition, the machine could carry a variety of weapons under the wing and rockets in a retractable into the fuselage container.
First flight of the prototype Fiat G. 91 took place on 9 August 1956. Take-off weight was in excess of the prescribed requirements, but the Italians with their inherent vital energy has proven that it does not degrade flight characteristics. By plane was installed TRD Orpheus VOG.1 thrust 1840 kgs.
The second prototype with the engine Orpheus VOG.S a thrust of 2200 kgf first flew in July 1957.
After three months in the French flight test center in Bretigny held a final evaluation test Etendart VI, Gnat, Taon and G. 91. After an intensive flight test program, conducted by a group of pilots from different NATO countries, have chosen the plane of the FIAT, and this was officially announced in January 1958.
Aircraft Super Etendard with two BGL bombs with laser homing
The victory of the Italian company, the contest NATO was not a severe blow for the company Dassault, which at that time cared more about the fate of his new fighter Mirage III. However, this caused a significant sharp decline of work on the Etendard aircraft. Bringing the second and sixth versions have been discontinued. The development of the Etendard IV was continued, but the firm has positioned it as the first step in creating a vertical take-off aircraft. Yes, that’s right. This is due to the unique and first of its takeoff and landing characteristics of the machine.
After installation on Etendard IV of the new turbojet Atar 101Е2 3500 kgf thrust characteristics of the aircraft is greatly improved. The first flight of the modernized machine took place on 24 July 1956. Maximum speed in horizontal flight amounted to 1215 km/h at an altitude of 3050 m and 1086 km/h — altitude 11 000 m. Without external suspension the aircraft had a takeoff weight of 5500 kg. Its armament consisted of two 30-mm DEFA cannons with ammunition of 250 rounds and 32 unguided rockets (NUR). Under the wing can be suspended two tanks full of Napalm with a capacity of 455 liters, two bombs caliber 400 or 500 kg, two tapes for NUR (each of them 19 70-mm rockets or 20 76-mm rockets).
The pride of the aircraft were short takeoff and landing capability is only 500 m. compared with the 1300-meter runway distance Mystere IV, the run and the mileage is within 500 m looked fantastic achievement. Etendard could easily take off and land on unpaved airfields, that was a very important advantage, taking into account the likelihood of damage.
This same concept is strongly demanded, and a gradual transition to vertical take-off aircraft. The first step in this direction and became the Etendard IV, is required for takeoff and landing short track. After him was to follow the fighter taking off at some angle to the horizon — for example, by using the catapult. And finally, to complete this scheme was intended for vertical take-off fighter.
Machine interested representatives of the French Navy, who needed a carrier-based multirole aircraft for the armament of the new aircraft carriers. First aircraft carrier Clemenceau was laid down in Brest in 1955. In December 1958, had planned to launch it. The sailors concluded with firm Dassault a contract for the marine modification of the Etendard IV —Etendard IVM.
The designers of the company responsible approached to a task. To reduce drag at transonic speeds, the fuselage of the aircraft altered in accordance with the “area rule”. Established an even more powerful Atar 8 turbojet thrust 4200 kgf without afterburner. Takeoff weight increased to 6300 kg. the wing area had to be increased to reduce landing speed is to install the new flaps. In the long term planned to equip the wing with a system of blowing boundary layer.
Thanks to these measures, the run-mileage virtually unchanged. Moreover, there is the opportunity to use the Etendard IVM, with additional cargo of bombs and missiles in an attack aircraft.
The wing folding made for compact machine installation in the hangar of an aircraft carrier. Under the fuselage has fixed brake hook-and-knots for attaching the rope of the ship catapult. Chassis equipped with high-pressure Pneumatics.
In the work on the project Etendard IVM has been widely used the famous technique of “progressive development” proposed by Marcel Dassault. In accordance with her firm builds the first model of a new aircraft and it is experiencing major systems of the machine. Then produced the second prototype, which has already addressed the shortcomings discovered on the ground, and checked the next group of on-Board systems. And so on. To create Etendard IVM the firm took seven machines.
Flying Etendard IVM 01 was designed to test the propulsion and control system. Etendard IVM 02 had the necessary equipment to fly from the deck of the ship, radar and range finder equipment radio command guidance missiles AS.20 class “air-ground” antenna which was in a flat fairing under the nose. Etendard IVM 03 was equipped with the British Rolls-Royce Avon MK.51 with afterburner and thrust 5100 kg. Etendard IVM 04 was equipped with a device blowing boundary layer on the flaps. Etendard IVM with the numbers 05 and 06 steel aircraft, fully equipped with all systems and designed for acceptance testing. Etendard IVM 07 — prototype scout with three aerial cameras in the nose of the plane.
02 Etendard IVM made its first flight on 21 may 1958 in Milan-Villaroche. After the first phase of testing in latinosmffiles the centre of Istres, the car ferried to the UK. There, in the sea test centre in Bedford it has made more than two dozen take-offs from catapults and landings with arresting gear. 19 September 1960, began test flights from the deck of the aircraft carrier Clemenceau. On 19 November, the French made a final decision about the power plant, opt for the nonafterburning engine, the Atar 8. This decision was dictated by the conditions shipborne, because the fuel tanks of an aircraft carrier is not bottomless, and the engine with afterburner has a much higher fuel consumption. This seemingly obvious fact was vividly confirmed by tests of the Etendard IVM 03.
A year before the end of the test firm Dassault received a contract to manufacture 5486/59 49 stormtroopers Etendard IVM and one scout Etendard IVP. A second order for an additional 25 attack and 15 scouts signed in may 1961. Small changes in the order concerned aircraft Etendard IVP. In the document they are referred to as scouts-tankers. These planes were able to refuel other cars in the air with the use of the American Buddy system, the container which was mounted on a ventral pylon. The choice of this system of refueling was determined by namereniem French Navy to purchase US carrier-based fighter F-8 Crusader.
The first production Etendard IVM soared in July, 1961, and January 19, 1962, it was solemnly transferred to the Navy. The aircraft entered squadron 15F, where he began retraining of personnel naval aviation on new aircraft. The first combat squadron of these vehicles with the designation 11F was formed in April 1963. The deployment of the new aircraft was completed in 1966. Only the Navy received 69 Etendard IVM and 21 Etendard IVP.
The stormtroopers stood on the armament of naval aviation until 1991, and the scouts — until 1998. Gunships in combat operations did not participate. The scouts were used in combat operations in 1974 in the horn of Africa, in 1982 in Lebanon, and in 1991 — in Yugoslavia. According to French reports, the fighting casualties among Etendard IVP was not.