Vertega V-4
| Vertega V-4 | |
|---|---|
| |
| V-4A on air display | |
| Role | Fighter |
| National origin | Granzery |
| Manufacturer | Juhasz State Design Bureau |
| First flight | 5 August 1960 |
| Retired | 1999 (Granzery) |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Granzerian People's Air Force Granzerian Republican Air Force |
| Number built | 1,000+ |
The Vertega V-4 Lightning (also known as the Juhasz J-4 before 1971) was a twin-engine single-seat turbojet light fighter aircraft used by the Granzerian People's Air Force and Granzerian Republican Air Force from 1963-1999. The Vertega V-4 was the first fully domestically developed and manufactured fighter aircraft in Granzery after the second Great War, designed as a cheaper, lighter, and more nimble fighter to complement larger air superiority fighters such as the Juhasz J-5.
Design and development[edit]
As the Granzerian Juhasz J-2 became increasingly obsolete, even shortly after its introduction, the Juhasz State Design bureau approached Gorbatov to acquire MiG-21 fighters in 1960, even after beginning the J-4 project in 1958. Juhasz chairman Károly Kürthy wished to reverse the trend of air superiority fighters becoming heavier in favour of a small, cheap and more nimble fighter. The Csába company had also, in 1959, developed the small but high thrust and high efficiency Csába 499MJ engine, and the decision was made for the J-4 project to be based around two of these engines. This resulted in a high thrust-weight ratio for the era.
In 1961 the Granzerian government withdrew its request for Gorbatovic MiG-21s before any models were delivered. Two years later the J-4A model of 1963 was introduced, and began the process of replacing the J-2.
Vertega V-4K Super Lightning[edit]
The V-4K was begun in 1971, immediately after Granzerian independence, with Vertega receiving a grant to replace the V-4A with an aircraft that would have better air-to-air capability against new Stasnovan and Gorbatovic aircraft such as the MiG-23 and VeK-24. It had more powerful engines, and had a lengthened and enlarged fuselage, accommodating more fuel. Its wings were fitted with enlarged leading edge extensions, giving an increased wing area and improved maneuverability. The aircraft's avionics were more sophisticated, crucially including a radar (the V-4A had no radar).
Vertega V-9 Thunderbolt[edit]
The Single engine V-9 Thunderbolt was a comprehensive upgrade to the V-4 which was intended to bring the aircraft up to a competitive state with other Granzerian aircraft such as the Vertega V-10 and also Stasnovan VeK-29. The single engine was far more powerful than anything mounted on the V-4 airframe in the past, the radar was retrofitted with the early radars from the V-10 and the avionics were heavily upgraded.
Compared to the V-4K, the V-9 was capable of Beyond Visual Range combat, was much faster, and had full access to air-to-ground weapons. The V-9 was introduced in a limited capacity to the Granzerian air force but was ultimately phased out in favour of the V-10K Super Cyclone.
Operational History[edit]
Specifications (Vertega V-4K)[edit]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length:
- Wingspan:
- Height:
- Airfoil: NACA 65A004.8
- Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.0
- Zero-lift drag coefficient: CD0.0200
- Frontal area: 3.4 sq ft (0.32 m2)
Performance
- Take-off run: 2,000 ft (610 m) with two Sidewinders at 15,745 lb (7,142 kg)
- Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 2,900 ft (884 m) with two IÖR 58Ms at 15,745 lb (7,142 kg)
- Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 3,701 ft (1,128 m) without brake-chute
- Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 2,500 ft (762 m) with brake-chute
Armament