Arsenal VG.34, Slightly better than the VG.33

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caid’s suggestion #150

I would like to suggest a pretty nice light fighter for France, the Arsenal VG.34

The concept of a light fighter was very popular in France during the interwar. The government spared no money for the development of such machines, although the results obtained did not justify the hopes. In turn, the Air Force Headquarters believed that such fighters could be used as high-speed interceptors. The calculation was also based on the fact that these aircraft will be cheaper in production, will require less time to fabricate, and in operation, they will not require special maintenance. In the end, everything turned out quite the contrary, although several firms managed to achieve very good results.

Arsenal Aeronautique, led by Michel Verniss, and the chief engineer was Jacques Gautier - hence the designation VG. The new company took one of the old factories in Villacoublay, formerly owned by Breguet. The design of the aircraft with the designation VG-30 began at the end of 1936 and proceeded proactively without any government order. The design team intended to create a light single-seat fighter, which in its parameters was at least as good as the one adopted in the same year by the MS.405C.1, but with higher speed. The model of the plane was exhibited at the Paris Aviation Salon, where he made a favorable impression on the specialists. A few months later, the French Air Force issued a specification A.23 for the development of a lightweight fighter in the C1 category, in which VG.30 was very well fitted. Several more companies took part in the competition, and Arsenal’s competitors were strong enough. So, the firm Caudron, which was the trendsetter in this direction, presented project C.713 - the development of successful airplanes of the racing series, adapted for military needs. The lightweight Bloch MB.700 fighter was also built based on the existing design and was a reduced copy of the MV.151. A little later they were joined by Roussel R-30 and CAO.200, which also had good indicators.

The revised project was ready by mid-1937, and the construction of the first VG-30.01 model was completed the next year. Although the aircraft had a wooden structure, the high manufacturing culture and technological skill of Jacques Gautier left no doubt that the VG-30 would be quite a worthy competition to the recognized giants of aircraft construction. The prototype immediately planned to install a Potez 12Dc (610 hp) motor, but during the construction, it was selected Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs (690 hp) featured the best performance data. Armament was not installed, but in the project, the fighter was equipped with a 20 mm motor cannon and four wing 7.5 mm machine guns.

as the VG.33 was a real success, the VG 34 was a a light improvement over it. trying to give the plane the speed of 600 km/h, Arsenal had mounted the Hispaniola-Suiza 12Y-45 of 960 hp in the 2nd prototype of the VG 33. The plane flowed in the 20th of January 1940 but only achieved a top speed of 576 km/h at 6,000m, this slight improvement was just not enough for the French production to stop and change the current model. the plane was just sitting in a Hangar near Toulon at the moment of the armistice and the fate is unknown after France surrendered, likely that the Germans ordered it to be scrapped when they did the inventory of the existing armament in Vichy France.

Firepower
the Armament of the VG.34 is essentially the same as the VG.33. a 20mm HS 404 is placed in the propeller hub with 60 rounds for this auto-cannon. the ammunition is a bit small but the position of the 20mm make it quit accurate and allow it to save ammunition. additionally 4x 7.5mm MAC 31 are place in the wings with a feed of 850 rounds per guns. this allow the plane to fight much longer against other aircraft even if their effectiveness is small. their sheer number and high fire-rate still make it a good threat for any planes. saddly the aircraft do not carry any additional armament

  • 1x 20mm HS (60 rounds per gun) placed in the propeller hub
  • 4x 7.5mm MAC 31 (850 rounds per gun) 2x placed in each wings.

Performance
the performance of this place is slightly better than the VG.33. with a top speed of 576 km/h at 6000m instant of 554 km/h. the slightly better speed is caused by the better engine. the VG.34 have a Hispano-Suiza 12Y-45 of 960 ch instead of the Hispano-Suiza 12Y-31 of 860 hp. the performance in acceleration and climbing rate will also be improved as the plane have about no difference in any other aspect beside the engine. the climbing rate will reach 14.26 m/sec and the turn rate shall remain at 19 sec. this makes this plane quit agile in battle but not significantly better than the VG.33

  • Weight : 2900 kg
  • engine power : 960 hp
  • Speed : 574 at 6,000 m
  • climbing rate : 14.26 sec
  • turn rate : 19 sec
  • ceiling : 11,000 m
  • range : 1200 km

Survivability
the survivability of the VG 34 is the same as the VG 33, the plane has the same frame and construction. the spar is made of metal as well as the flap. but the wings and fuselage are made of wood. this makes the plane quite vulnerable to the fire and HE rounds. the plane does not have any real armor despite of 3mm plate between the engine and cooling system which is not intended to be armor. the pilot could easily be knocked off. the players should rely on good plane performance to avoid being shut down.

  • Crew: 1
  • length: 8.64 m
  • Wingspan: 10.8 m
  • wings Area: 14 m2
  • height: 3.30 m

Armour

  • 3mm plate between engine and cooling system (not intended to be actual armor)

Sources

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A +1 from me, I’m always happy with more unique and interesting aircraft

3
  • 1 we clearly need more WW2 french planes