French Light Combat Aircraft Dassault Alpha JET Patrouille de France COBI 5841 - Armed Forces 1:48

You know that:

• In the 1960s, France was looking for a suitable jet aircraft for advanced training of military pilots. The UK and Germany were also looking for the same solution. It was by chance that the leaders of the countries responsible for the development met during an air show in France.
• As usual, the UK went its own way and so the collaboration continued with Dassault of France and Dornier of Germany.
• Within five years a prototype was built and as early as 26 October 1973 the first test flight took place.
• The result was a small light jet aircraft equipped with a "dog tooth" on the leading edge of the wing, which improved the machine's performance when taking off and landing at lower speeds. 
• During the flights, the design of the machine proved to be suitable not only as a trainer but also as a platform for further development of combat versions.
• It doesn't look like it at first glance, but the Alpha aircraft is equipped with two jet engines. This design was pushed by German designers based on bad experiences with the Lockheed F-104 single-engine fighter.
• Production of the aircraft was split between Dassault (fuselage), Dornier (wings) and the Belgian company SABCA (tailplane and final assembly).
• A total of 480 units were produced in 14 versions.
• The Alpha Jet's users include several countries such as Belgium, Egypt, France, Cameroon, Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Ivory Coast, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Togo.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: wingspan 9.11 m, length 13.23 m, height 4.19 m
• propulsion 2x Snecma Turbomeca Larzac 04-C5 turbojet engine each with 13.24 kN thrust
• empty weight 3 500 kg
• maximum take-off weight 8 000 kg
• range 1 095 km
• maximum speed 1,028 km/h (0.84 Mach)
• maximum flight level 14 630 m
• climb rate 57 m/s
• armament 1x 30 mm DEFA cannon + up to 18 68 mm SNEB missiles, or 2x additional fuel tank
• 2 crew

Acrobatic group Patrouille de France:

• PAF was founded in 1931 and is considered the best aerobatic group in the world.
• PAF consists of 9 pilots and 35 mechanics.
• All activities are divided into two seasons. Winter is reserved for training and practice. In summer, exhibitions are held at air shows.
• Pilots have the call sign Athos 1 to Athos 9
• Every two years, a famous French personality takes symbolic patronage of the group. For example, in 1988 it was the famous actor Alain Delon and in 2010 Carla Bruni.
• Aerobatics is a risky sport, as evidenced by a number of accidents and tragedies. During the group's existence, 10 pilots have died.