- Yes
- No
Introduction
Hello everyone,
The following suggestion is in regards to the idea of expanding the Israeli aviation tech tree downwards by adding ranks I-III to it and revising rank IV to accommodate necessary changes for said expansion. I personally consider this suggestion to be a so called sister-suggestion to the suggestion made in the old forum by CaId for the addition of ranks I-III to the Israeli ground forces tech tree which was previously passed to the developers, the idea here being that a similar expansion of the aviation tech tree could serve to bolster the idea that was presented in that suggestion.
Disclaimers
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My specific proposal layout and composition is not binding in any way. My suggested idea is simply the best layout I was able to come up with considering potential aircraft available for the Israeli Air Force from a historical perspective.
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The Battle Ratings shown for the suggested vehicles are similarly not binding, they are merely present in order to convey reasoning for tech tree placement, potential lineup possibilities and CAS potential across the BR brackets. I have added reasonings for BR placements in the interactive version of the tree attached to the suggestion post for anyone who requires justifications.
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All of the aircraft in this suggestion have separate suggestion posts all previously made by me either on the old forum or the new one, many of which were previously passed to the developers individually. All sources used in those individual posts are relevant to this suggestion, but I will only cite the most relevant ones at the end of this post.
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For Israel it was unfortunately impossible to have fighter aircraft at the reserve tier since the Israeli Air Force’s first fighter aircraft was the S-199, however the reserve aircraft for this tier still do include forward firing guns and performance on par with BR 1.0 aircraft. I understand this isn’t a perfect solution but it is the only one possible in this tech tree’s case
The suggestion itself
Click here for an interactive version of the tree
The suggestion includes the addition of 15 new aircraft to the Israeli tech tree, of which four were selected to be premium aircraft and one was selected to be an event aircraft.
The layout of the tech tree was made to meet the standard of the Swedish aviation tech tree prior to the introduction of the Finnish sub-tree, that means there are a minimum of four aircraft per rank with three researchable ones across at least two research lines and one premium aircraft as well as a pair of reserve vehicles that are similar in nature.
In order for this standard to be met the tech tree includes a revision of the tech tree’s 4th rank to move the Spitfire Mk.IXc down to rank III, the S-199 (Sakeen) down to rank II and add new aircraft in their place.
The full list of changes that are made in the idea I present here:
Spoiler
Changes to existing aircraft in the game:
- S-199 (Sakeen): rank IV → rank II
- Spitfire Mk.IXc: rank IV → rank III
- B-17G Flying Fortress → B-17G (1956) Flying Fortress
New researchable aircraft:
- AT-6 Harvard (1948): Reserve (BR 1.0) - Strike Aircraft - Rank I
- AT-6 Harvard (1956): Reserve (BR 1.0) - Strike Aircraft - Rank I
- Dragon Rapide: BR 1.0 - Light Bomber - Rank I
- Hudson Mk.IVA: BR 1.7 - Bomber - Rank I
- Beaufighter TF Mk.X: BR 3.0 - Strike Aircraft - Rank II
- S-199 (Sakeen) Early: BR 3.3 - Fighter - Rank II
- Mosquito FB Mk.VI: BR 3.7 - Strike Aircraft - Rank III
- Mosquito NF Mk.30 (AN/APS-4): BR 4.0 - Air Defence Fighter - Rank III
- B-17G (1948) Flying Fortress: BR 4.0 - Long Range Bomber - Rank III
- B-17G (AN/APS-4) Flying Fortress: BR 5.3 - Long Range Bomber - Rank IV
New premium aircraft:
- IAI-201 Arava: BR 1.7 - Strike Aircraft - Rank I
- S-199 (Sakeen) D.108: BR 3.3 - Fighter - Rank II
- Sea Mosquito TR Mk.33: BR 3.7 - Strike Aircraft / Naval Aircraft - Rank III
- F-6K-15-NT Mustang: BR 4.3 - Fighter - Rank IV
New event aircraft:
- Bonanza Model 35 Boris Senior’s: BR 1.0 - Strike Aircraft - Rank I
The new aircraft presented in this suggestion
Spoiler
Rank I
Spoiler
AT-6 Harvard (1948) (Reserve aircraft in the 2nd research line, BR 1.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The AT-6 was an American made trainer aircraft. It saw service with the Israeli Air Force in late 1948 as a dive bomber due to the Israeli Air Force’s lack of proper combat aircraft. Most of the AT-6 aircraft used in 1948 were of the AT-6B variant which included a built in machinegun above the engine cowling. They used bombs locally modified in Israel to include panic whistles in order to achieve a psychological effect against enemy forces.
Additional information and photos found since making the original suggestion:
The bombs used by the AT-6 were identified as A/50/15 bombs weighing 50kg each, sources for the additional info:
יומנים > יומן - מלא 14/09/1948 | The Ben-Gurion ARCHIVE
תאונת הרוורד 1104 - מרקיע שחקים
https://www.amazon.com/Israeli-Air-Force-Operations-1948/dp/191029411X
Specifications
Wingspan: 12.8 m
Height: 3.56 m
Length: 8.85 m
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 delivering 550 hp
Max Speed: 340 km/h
Service ceiling: 7,400 m
Range: 1,000 km
Weight: Empty - 1,814 kg, Fully loaded - 2,393 kg
Armaments:
- 7.62 mm Browning machineguns x2 (Ammo: 500)
- 50kg bomb (A/50/15) x8
AT-6 Harvard (1956) (Reserve aircraft in the 2nd research line, BR 1.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The AT-6 was an American made trainer aircraft. After acquiring further AT-6 airframes in the 50’s to be used as trainers, the Israeli Air Force once again activated the aircraft in an offensive role during the 1956 Suez Crisis to compensate for the low number of combat aircraft available at the time. Most of the AT-6 aircraft used in 1956 were of the AT-6D variant which didn’t have a machinegun over the engine cowling, however they were still fitted with a machinegun in the root of the right wing and they were also modified with rocket racks for carriage of 8-cm Flz.Rakete rockets. They were mainly used to attack Egyptian armored columns and were largely overshadowed in the conflict by far superior aircraft.
Additional information and photos found since making the original suggestion:
Information available suggests that the assumption some sources made of the AT-6s in this conflict carrying bombs like in the 1948 conflict is wrong. The AT-6 aircraft in this conflict carried only rockets as their secondary armaments. Source for the new photo:
https://www.amazon.com/Israeli-Force-Operations-1956-Suez/dp/1910294128
Specifications
Wingspan: 12.8 m
Height: 3.56 m
Length: 8.85 m
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 delivering 550 hp
Max Speed: 340 km/h
Service ceiling: 7,400 m
Range: 1,000 km
Weight: Empty - 1,814 kg, Fully loaded - 2,393 kg
Armaments:
- 7.62 mm Browning machinegun x1 (Ammo: 250)
- 8-cm Flz-Rakete Oerlikon rocket x16
Dragon Rapide (Researchable aircraft in the 3rd research line, BR 1.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British made civilian passenger biplane aircraft. It was acquired by the Israeli Air Force during the 1948 war and was used for a variety of purposes including bombing. During the later stages of the war some airframes were modifieds with bomb racks for carriage of 100kg bombs. The Dragon Rapides continued to be used by the Israeli Air Force into the 50’s for liaison purposes.
Specifications
Wingspan: 14.63 m
Height: 3.12 m
Length: 10.52 m
Powerplant: De Havilland Gypsy-2 delivering 200 hp x2
Max Speed: 240 km/h
Service ceiling: 4,900 m
Range: 830 km
Weight: Empty - 1,456 kg, Fully loaded - 2,700 kg
Armaments:
- 100kg bomb (Type unknown, likely AN-M57 bombs based on the time period of the bomb rack installation) x6
Hudson Mk.IVA (Researchable aircraft in the 3rd research line, BR 1.7)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Hudson Mk.IVA was a variant of the Hudson bomber aircraft used by the RAAF. A single example was acquired by the Israeli Air Force in late 1948 which was brought back to a combat capable state in time to see action in the war. It took part in bombing operation during operation Uvda in March of 1949 but ended up crashing during a landing accident on the first day of the operation from which it never recovered.
Specifications
Height: 3.62 meters
Wingspan: 19.96 meters
Powerplants: 2 x Pratt and Whitney R-1830-45 engines rated at 1,050 hp each
Max speed: 400 km/h
Max altitude: 7,500 meters
Range: 3,150 km
Weight: Empty - 5,865 kg, Fully loaded - 8,400kg
Armaments:
- 250 lbs bomb (AN-M57) x4 + 100 lbs bomb (AN-M30A1) x6
Bonanza Model 35 Boris Senior’s (Event aircraft, BR 1.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza was a civilian aircraft model produced in 1947, the first in the series to have a V shaped tail. A few examples were acquired by Boris Senior in mid 1948 for the Israeli Air Force and were delivered by him by early May of the same year to partake in the 1948 war. The Bonanza operated by Boris Senior in the war was modified with an improvised gunner position and a pair of bomb racks which allowed it to be used for dive bombing. The Bonanzas were retained by the air force well into the 50’s and were used for liaison purposes.
Specifications
Wing span: 10 meters
Length: 7.67 meters
Height: 2 meters
Powerplant: Continental E-185-1 rated at 185 hp
Max speed: 296 km/h
Max altitude: 5,334 meters
Range: 1,207 km
Weight: Empty - 699 kg, Fully loaded 1,202 kg
Armaments:
- Turret: 7.62mm (gun type unknown) (Ammo:?)
- 50kg (SC50) bomb x2
- 50kg (SD50) bomb x2
- 70kg (SD70) bomb x2
IAI-201 Arava (Premium aircraft, BR 1.7)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The IAI-201 Arava was a military transport aircraft developed and produced in Israel by Israeli Aircraft Industries. The 201 model was developed in 1972 and was able to carry armaments for use in Counter Insurgency operations. The Israeli Air Force never used it armed, and so the specific nation I’m suggesting to be it’s operator nation in the game is Mexico as they used the aircraft for Counter Insurgency extensively and uniquely armed it with pods for 70mm Mighty Mouse rockets.
Specifications
Wing span: 20.96 meters
Length: 13.03 meters
Height: 5.21 meters
Powerplants: A pair of Pratt & Whitney of Canada PT6A-34 engines rated at 750 hp each
Maximum speed: 326 km/h at 3,000 meters altitude
Max climb rate: 6.55 m/s
Max altitude: 7,620 meters
Range: 1,306 km
Weight: Empty - 3,765 kg, Max - 6,803 kg
Armaments:
- 12.7mm M3 Browning machinegun x2 (Ammo: 8,000)
- Turret: 12.7mm M3 Browning machinegun (Ammo: ?)
- 68mm (Matra SNEB) rocket x12
- 70mm (FFAR Mighty Mouse) rocket x 14
Rank II
Spoiler
S-199 (Sakeen) Early (Researchable aircraft in the 1st research line, BR 3.3)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The S-199 was a post war Czech made modification of the German Bf 109. The Israeli Air Force acquired S-199s from the Czech as their first fighter aircraft in 1948 and they were used to great effect in the 1948 war despite being very unreliable. The Israelis acquired some S-199s that were from the earliest production variant, having original shock absorbers from the Bf 109 for their MG 131 machineguns as well as a protruding deep oil cooling tray. Almost all S-199s from this variant were destroyed by the end of the 1948 war.
Specifications
Wing Span: 9.92 meters
Length: 8.94 meters
Height: 2.59 meters
Powerplants: Junkers Jumo 211, water cooled, rated at 1,350 hp
Max speed: 590 km/h
Max altitude: 9,500 meters
Range: 850 km
Weight: Empty - 2,650 kg, Fully loaded - 3,740 kg
Armaments:
- 13 mm MG 131 machinegun x2 (Ammo: 500)
- 20 mm MG 151 cannon x2 (Ammo: 270)
- 50kg (SC50) bomb x4
- 50kg (SD50) bomb x4
- 70kg (SD70) bomb x4
Beaufighter TF Mk.X (Researchable aircraft in the 2nd research line, BR 3.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Beaufighter TF Mk.X was a British made combat aircraft used for various roles including bombing, torpedo bombing and scouting. The Israeli Air Force managed to acquire 4 examples in the 1948 war by smuggling them out of Britain under the guise of filming a movie. The Beaufighters in Israeli service lacked the 7.7mm machineguns while retaining the 20mm cannons, and only used bombs for their secondary armaments (speculated to be German bombs based on available bomb types during the war). One Beaufighter was even credited with an air-to-air kill against and Egyptian Fury which crashed into the sea while trying to shoot down the Beaufighter.
Additional photo found since making the original suggestion:
Source for the photo:
https://www.amazon.com/Israeli-Air-Force-Operations-1948/dp/191029411X
Specifications
Wing Span: 17.63 meters
Length: 12.70 meters
Height: 4.83 meters
Powerplants: A pair of Bristol Hercules Mk.XVI engines rated at 1,670 hp each
Max speed: 502 km/h
Max altitude: 7,925 meters
Range: 2,382 km
Weight: Empty - 6,976 kg, Fully loaded - 11,520 kg
Armaments:
- 20mm Hispano Mk.II cannon x4 (Ammo: 1132)
- 70kg bomb (SD70) x4 + 250kg bomb (SC250) x 2
S-199 (Sakeen) D.108 (Premium aircraft, BR 3.3)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The S-199 was a post war Czech made modification of the German Bf 109. The Israeli Air Force acquired S-199s from the Czech as their first fighter aircraft in 1948 and they were used to great effect in the 1948 war despite being very unreliable. D.108 was the 8th aircraft acquired, it was an early production model and uniquely had an extended R3 tail wheel leg. D.108 was distinguished for being the S-199 that had the longest service life in the Israeli Air Force.
Specifications
Wing Span: 9.92 meters
Length: 8.94 meters
Height: 2.59 meters
Powerplants: Junkers Jumo 211, water cooled, rated at 1,350 hp
Max speed: 590 km/h
Max altitude: 9,500 meters
Range: 850 km
Weight: Empty - 2,650 kg, Fully loaded - 3,740 kg
Armaments:
- 13 mm MG 131 machinegun x2 (Ammo: 500)
- 20 mm MG 151 cannon x2 (Ammo: 270)
- 50kg (SC50) bomb x4
- 50kg (SD50) bomb x4
- 70kg (SD70) bomb x4
Rank III
Spoiler
Mosquito NF Mk.30 (AN/APS-4) (Researchable aircraft in the 1st research line, BR 4.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Mosquito NF Mk.30 was a night fighter variant of the British Mosquito aircraft. Israel acquired some Mosquitos of this variant in 1952 from France in bad condition, but were attempts were made to make the aircraft usable as it was the Israeli air Force’s first night fighter. At some point in their service several examples were modified to house AN/APS-4 radars in a protruding radome since the aircraft originally arrived in Israel with no radar equipped. Most of the Mk.30 Mosquitos ended up being converted to fighter bomber aircraft due to the failure to get them to a proper operational state.
Additional photo found since making the original suggestion (photo is of an unmodified example):
Specifications
Wing Span: 16.95 meters
Length: 12.34 meters
Height: 4.61 meters
Wing surface area: 40.4 m2
Powerplants: 2 Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 engines rated at 1,710 HP each
Max speed: 600 km/h
Max altitude: 11,900 meters
Range: 2,190 km using external fuel tanks
Weight: Empty - 8,316 kg, Fully loaded - 11,664 kg
Additional systems: AN/APS-4 air-to-air and air-to-ground search radar
Armaments:
- 20mm Hispano Mk.II cannon x4 (Ammo:600)
Mosquito FB Mk.VI (Researchable aircraft in the 2nd research line, BR 3.7)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Mosquito FB Mk.VI was a fighter-bomber variant of the British Mosquito aircraft. Israel acquired many Mosquitos of this variant in 1952 from France (as well as several other airframes later down the line). The Mosquito formed the bulk of the Israeli Air Force’s strike capability in the early to mid 50’s, having the longest range among the available aircraft. Mosquitos of this variant were used for strike missions against Egypt in the 1956 Suez Crisis despite Israel already using more capable jet aircraft at the time. The Mosquitos were retired from service soon after in 1958.
Specifications
Wing Span: 16.5 meters
Length: 12.34 meters
Height: 4.65 meters
Powerplants: 2 Rolls-Royce Merlin 25 engines with a maximum HP of 1,390 each
Max speed: 600 km/h
Max altitude: 7,900 meters
Range: 3,000 km
Weight: Empty - 7,243 kg, Fully loaded - 10,500 kg
Armaments:
- 7.7 mm Browning machinegun x4 (Ammo: 2,000)
- 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon x4 (Ammo: 600)
- 250 lbs bomb (AN-M57) x2
- 500 lbs bomb (AN-M64A1) x2
- 5 inch AR rocket x8
- Combinations of 2 bombs + 4 rockets
B-17G (1948) Flying Fortress (Researchable aircraft in the 3rd research line, BR 4.0)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The B-17G was an American made WW2 era heavy bomber. In 1948 Israel managed to smuggle 3 examples for it’s air force from America through Czechoslovakia. They were crudely modified in Czechoslovakia with BeSa machineguns for defensive armaments, a German bomb sight, British bomb racks both inside the bomb bay and on the wings and German SD70 and SC250 bombs. The B-17s in this configuration were used throughout the 1948 war conducting many sorties. They were upgraded incrementally throughout the war, with the defensive armaments changing to 7.62 mm Browning machineguns and later 12.7mm M2 Browning Machineguns while the bombs were changed to American ones, but they still lacked the full turret setup throughout.
Specifications
Length: 22.66 meters
Height: 5.82 meters
Wingspan: 31.63 meters
Wing area: 131.92 sq.m
Powerplants: 4 x Wright R-1820-65 Cyclone engines delivering 1,200 hp each
Max speed: 510 km/h
Max altitude: 10,850 meters
Range: 2,900 km
Weight: Empty - 14,840 kg, fully loaded - 24,950 kg
Armaments:
- Turret: 7.62mm BeSA machinegun (later replaced by 7.62mm Browning machinegun and the further replaced by 12.7mm M2 Browning machinegun) x2 (Ammo:?)
- Turret x2: 7.62mm BeSA machinegun (later replaced by 7.62mm Browning machinegun and the further replaced by 12.7mm M2 Browning machinegun) (Ammo:?)
- 70kg (SD70) bomb x8 + 250kg (SC250) bomb x4 (larger loadouts were also potentially feasible)
Sea Mosquito TR Mk.33 (Premium aircraft, BR 3.7)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The Sea Mosquito TR Mk.33 was a naval torpedo bomber variant of the British Mosquito aircraft. The Israeli Air Force acquired several examples of this variant directly from the British in 1954 after a set of modifications to de-navalize them, making them closer in capability to the FB Mk.VI variant. They were used in the 1956 Suez Crisis along with the FB Mk.VI Mosquitos to great effect and were retired from service in 1958.
Specifications
Wing span: 16.5 meters
Length: 12.88 meters
Height: 4.12 meters
Wing area: 42.2 m2
Powerplants: 2 Rolls-Royce Merlin 25 engines rated at 1,640 hp each
Max speed: 619 km/h
Max altitude: 9,000 meters
Range: 1,094 km
Weight: Empty - 9,629 kg, Fully loaded - 12,150 kg
Armaments:
- 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon x4 (Ammo: 600)
- 250 lbs bomb (AN-M57) x2
- 500 lbs bomb (AN-M64A1) x2
- 5 inch AR rocket x8
- Combinations of 2 bombs + 4 rockets
Rank IV
Spoiler
B-17G (AN/APS-4) Flying Fortress (Researchable aircraft in the 3rd research line, BR 5.3)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The B-17G was an American made WW2 era heavy bomber. Israel acquired 3 examples in 1948 which continued to serve well into the 50’s while being upgraded to the standard of fully fledged American B-17Gs. In the 1956 Suez Crisis the Israeli Air Force reactivated the B-17s with one of them, 1623, being modified to carry an AN/APS-4 search radar pod instead of it’s chin turret. This B-17G was used for a few sorties in the war before suffering critical damage taking it out of the conflict.
Specifications
Length: 22.66 meters
Height: 5.82 meters
Wingspan: 31.63 meters
Wing area: 131.92 sq.m
Powerplants: 4 x Wright R-1820-65 Cyclone engines delivering 1,200 hp each
Max speed: 510 km/h
Max altitude: 10,850 meters
Range: 2,900 km
Weight: Empty - 14,840 kg, Fully loaded - 32,660 kg
Additional systems: AN/APS-4 air-to-air and air-to-ground search radar
Armaments:
- Turret x3: 12.7 mm M2 Browning machinegun x2 (Ammo: 2,962)
- Turret x3: 12.7 mm M2 Browning machinegun (Ammo: 1,380)
- 100kg (100/50 G.P) bomb x16
- 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x8
- 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x12
- 500kg (500/50 G.P) bomb x6
- 100kg (100/50 G.P) bomb x16 + 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x8
- 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x8 + 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x8
- 500kg (500/50 G.P) bomb x6 + 250kg (250/50 G.P) bomb x8
F-6K-15-NT Mustang (Premium aircraft, BR 4.3)
Spoiler
Click here for the previously made separate suggestion
In short:
The F-6K-15-NT was the latest production variant of the reconnaissance Mustang aircraft based on the P-51K variant. In 1954 the Israeli Air Force acquired a single example of this variant which entered service in the 116th squadron. This F-6K saw combat service during the 1956 Suez Crisis. It was retained after it’s retirement as a display aircraft sitting outside of military bases and is nowadays displayed in the entrance to the Israeli Air Force museum.
Specifications
Wing span: 11.27 meters
Length: 9.75 meters
Height: 4.16 meters
Powerplant: Packard V-1650-7 engine rated at 1,590 hp
Max speed: 700 kph
Max altitude: 12,700 meters
Range: 3,200 km
Weight: Empty - 3,230 kg, Fully loaded - 5,260 kg
Armaments:
- 12.7 mm M2 Browning machineguns x6 (Ammo: 2080)
- 250 lbs (AN-M57) bomb x2
- 500 lbs (AN-M64A1) bomb x2
- 1,000 lbs (AN-M65A1) bomb x2
- 5 inch AR rocket x6
Reasons to support this suggestion
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The suggestion generally helps to equalize tech tree nations in the game by making the Israeli tech tree more on-par with other nations.
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The suggestion helps to get rid of aspects of the Israeli tech tree that could be considered as unfair advantages, such as the ability to skip the research of the earlier ranks in the game (this is especially prevalent if a player purchases a premium aircraft for this tree or acquires an event vehicle in it) or having reserve vehicles at much higher BRs than other nations with multiple respawns.
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The idea of adding lower ranks will allow players of the Israeli tech tree to train their crews at a pace more comparable to other nations which would help mitigate the problem players of this tech tree have of having lower trained crews than usual.
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The Israeli tech tree is generally one that is relatively lower in content compared to other nations, this idea would help to significantly expand on the amount of content this tech tree could have.
Main sources (additional ones can be found in separate vehicle suggestion posts)
Spoiler
חיל האויר בקרב - 70 שנות עליונות אוירית 1948-2018
Amazon.com
מטוסי חיל האויר מהטייגר מות' עד הסופה
https://iaf.org.il/182-18140-en/IAF.aspx?indx=1
https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Alex-Yofe-Lawrence-Nyveen/dp/B07ND8PM9V
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Fortress-Israeli-Service-1948-1957/dp/B004JFGMEA