Hello Everyone
Today we will be talking about Aircraft.
Aircraft that are less know to the World but should or could or might come to WarThunder one day.
Feel Free to comment.
First Topic:
The german VAK Programm (VAK=Vertikalstartendes Aufklärungs und Kampfpflugzeug aka VTOL reconnaisance and combat aircraft)
This programm launched in 1961 fueled by “NATO Basic Military Requirements” (NBMR) of the time. It also served as replacement for the aging G.91. The programm was intended as multinational with GreatBritain and Italy however the UK quit in favor of proceeding on their own Hawker P.1127 programm which would result in the Hawker-Siddley Harrier we all know.
In 1963 the contest was held with 4 major contestants:
-The UK with the said Hawker P.1127 (VAK 191A)
-Focke-Wulf with their Fw1262 (VAK 191B)
-EWR (later MBB) with the EK 421 (VAK 191C)
-Fiat Aerospace with the G.95/4 (VAK 191D)
Focke Wulf (later VFW-Fokker) was chosen as the Winner in the same year as their Project was the most realistic for the barely established West Germany. In 1967 italy quit and 5 years later the programm was cancelled due to the already insane costs and it becoming obsolete. This would however pave the way for the Panavia Tornado.
Specifications (VAK 191B)
The Stats as far as official information goes
Cruise speed: 740kp/h
Max speed: 1100kp/h
Climb Rate 35kp/h
Powered by 2x Rolls-Royce Rb.162-81 F08 for the side thrust nozzles and an additional Rb.193-12 for cruise speeds.
As the only 3 Protoypes (even tho all still exist) did not have any armaments installed we can only guess but we know of potentially nose mounted armaments and about half a ton of additional armament as it was planned as a quick response reconaissance and combat aircraft.