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Early Jets

Having done so many Luft 46 profiles over the last couple of years I thought it might be interesting to take a brief look at what actually made it into production and was flying around the skies in the late forties and early fifties. Some have direct links with WW2 German data that became available to the allies at the cessation of hostilities while others have no proven connection, although the influences of German findings are a safe bet. Plus with so many aircraft at the time discarding camouflage paint it was an ideal opportunity for me to practise bare metal finishes.

The Aircraft

Images and references for the MiG 15 bis seem to be predominantly of bare metal finishes, so for this aircraft I sought more “conventional” coloured camouflage schemes. Thanks to Aeromaster decals I found what I was looking for; numerous non bare metal schemes in abundance. All other aircraft are of natural metal finish.

MiG 15 bis It is commonly regarded that the MiG 15 was a direct development of the infamous Focke Wulf Ta183. The plans and detail drawings of the Focke Wulf having fallen into Russian forces hands at the end of WW2 proved to good an opportunity to miss. In fact the Russians didn’t waste much time, coming up with the design as early as March 1946, and the first aircraft making its maiden flight in December 1947. The MiG 15 entered service in early 1950 seeing combat in the Korean War.

North American F86-1 Sabre Another aircraft to see action in the Korean War was the F86 Sabre. After the final design had been signed off it had its maiden flight on 01, October, 1947, entering service in 1949. Like its Russian counterpart the MiG 15, the Sabre enjoyed a long service life with many air forces around the world, finally being retired by the Portuguese in 1980.

SAAB J-29 Tunnan Another aircraft that is deemed to have been heavily influenced by WW2 German data was the SAAB J-29. The Swedish engineers surprised a few authorities as German data was believed to be available to only the Americans, Russians, British and French. Some experts believe the J-29 was influenced by the Messerschmitt P1100 and the Focke Wulf Ta183. The aircraft was of a compact design with a barrel shaped fuselage which quickly earned it the nickname of “Tunnan” (Flying Barrel). The prototype first flew on 1st September, 1948, with the production version entering service in 1950. The J-29 is the only Swedish jet to see combat when 5 aircraft were sent to the Congo as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in 1961.

Dassault MD450 Ourangan The French were keen to join the new age of jet power with Marcel Dassault designing the MD450 Ourangan in December 1947, leading to the prototypes maiden flight in February 1949. The French fighter was introduced for service in 1952. Another design that lasted well into the 1980’s before retirement.

Republic F84 Thunderjet The Thunderjet design proposal by Alexander Kartveli was put forward as early as 1944, leading to its maiden flight on 28th February, 1946, being introduced to service in November 1947. The Thunderjet saw long service with various air forces around the world giving long service, being retired by USA in 1972 and by Greece as late as 1991.

The SAAB J-29 and the Dassault MD450 Ourangan illustrations are representative of the type due to scarce references or accurate details of actual aircraft being found within the time of illustrating.

Acknowledgements

Aeromaster Decals

Wikipedia

Many thanks. Until next time...