- Yes
- No
History:
Designed in the 50s, the Durandal was the competitor of the Mirage III program as a air superiority and interception aircraft. Designed by the French aircraft manufacturer SNCASE, this aircraft aimed to exploit the potential advantages of a mixed propulsion system.
The design team produced a compact aircraft with a 60° delta wing and powered by a single SNECMA Atar 101F afterburning turbojet engine. The Durandal was designed to take off using only the propulsion of this conventional engine. Once at high altitude, its speed could be increased by igniting its auxiliary engine, a single SEPR 75 rocket motor. Compared to other French experimental mixed-propulsion aircraft, such as the SNCASO Trident interceptor prototype, the Durandal was a heavier aircraft, designed to fly primarily using its jet engine rather than its rocket motor. The plane (number 001) first flew on April 20th, 1956. The SE.212 was also equipped with a 750 kgp SEPR-75 booster rocket engine. It had a central attachment point capable of receiving three different weapons (see below).
The Atar 101F turbojet quickly proved relatively ineffective in properly serving the Durandal. This is why it was decided to replace it with a more powerful, modern and reliable Atar 101G. In order to do this, SNCASE built another prototype (number 002) which made its maiden flight on March 30th, 1957. During its trial period, the SE.212 flew at speeds of Mach 1.36 and Mach 1.57 and reached the operational altitude of 12,300m. Despite its undeniable flight qualities, the Durandal had a significant drawback compared to its main competitor, the Mirage II: it was incapable of reaching Mach 2.
This is why the SE.212 Durandal was not ordered in series by the Air Force, which preferred to order the Mirage III.
In the game:
This aircraft would perfectly fulfilled the role of a filler between the Super Mystère B2 and the Mirage III C, and I suggest to implement it with the best engine ever fited on it (Atar 101G).
Characteristics:
-Crew: 1
-Length: 12.07m
-Wingspan: 7.44m
-Wing Area: 29.60m²
-Empty Weight: 4575 kg
-Max Takeoff Weight: 6700 kg
-Powerplant: 1 x SNECMA Atar 101G turbojet with afterburner
1 x SEPR 75 rocket motor, developping 750kgf / 7.35 kN
-Max Speed: 1,670 km/h at 11,800m (Mach 1.57)
-Rate of climb: 200 m/s
-Service ceiling: 16,5 00m
Armament: 1 x AA.20 Air-to-air guided missile or 2 x 30mm DEFA cannons or 24 x SNEB rockets
Pictures:
Sources:
http://www.luftfahrtmuseum-hannover.de/images/wehrmann/SNCASE SE 212 Durandal.pdf