Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Sa’ar / Dassault Super Mystere B2 (J52-P-8A)

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

Aircraft: Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Sa’ar / Dassault Super Mystere B2 (J52-P-8A)

 

Classification: fighter-bomber jet

 

Visuals: 

 

Spoiler

Comparison of SMB2 vs. Sa'ar side profile:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: In addition to serving the Armée de l'Air Française, the Super Mystere B2 also saw significant service with the Israeli Air Force, the second largest operator of the type. Though the Israelis were pleased with the capability and handling of the SMB2, they found its native Atar 101G-3 engine to lack sufficient power when not using afterburner. The IAF also disliked its rather high fuel consumption and failure rate, so it was ultimately decided that Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) would use a Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A engine from the American A-4 Skyhawk (itself another aircraft the IAI operated) to overcome the SMB2’s shortcomings. 

 

The result was an aircraft with a lighter empty weight, higher reliability, longer endurance, and greater range than the original aircraft it was based upon. Known as the Sa’ar, it was merely a Super Mystere B2 with slight modifications to the fuselage to allow for a full integration of its new J52 powerplant, and was otherwise almost entirely identical to the standard French Super Mystere in regards to numerical performance metrics. 

 

Overall, the Sa’ar was a net improvement over the Super Mystere in regards to performance and serviceability. The J52’s thrust at military power was nearly equal to the Atar’s thrust on afterburner, and with its strengthened wings, the Sa’ar boasted an increase in total ordnance capacity. Performance at altitude was worse, but considering the IAF’s intended role for the Sa’ar as a fighter-bomber that would spend the majority of its missions at low and medium altitudes, this was deemed an acceptable tradeoff. Other Israeli-specific modifications included a slightly different electronics suite as well as IAF-specific weaponry such as Shafrir-2 missiles, but otherwise the Sa’ar was simply a minor - but appreciably better - variant of the Super Mystere B2.

 

Super Mysteres were converted into Sa’ars at the IAI’s plant at Lod Airport, and the first Sa’ar was handed over to the IAF in late 1969 where it entered service with the 105th ‘Akrav’ squadron. By 1973, the entire fleet of SMB2s had been converted into Sa’ars.

 

Sa’ars saw major action in the Yom Kippur War, where several aircraft were lost to anti-aircraft fire despite destroying over 150 enemy tanks. By the end of the war, a total of 887 Sa’ar sorties were flown in support of the IDF ground effort..

 

The Sa’ar was withdrawn from service in early 1975, when it was deemed logistically difficult to continue maintaining them. Replaced by the F-4 Phantom, the surviving Sa’ar retirees were finally sold to the Honduran Air Force.

 

In War Thunder, the Sa’ar would be superior to the Super Mystere as pilots could still enjoy 95% of the performance without having to contend with the high fuel consumption or overheating issues unique to the latter aircraft. In the same way that the Vautour IIA (IDF) is a premium aircraft for France, the Sa’ar could potentially be one as well.

 

Fuel and Oil Data:

Internal Fuel Capacity: 2610 liters (689.49 gal)

Oil Capacity: 5 gallons 

 

Engine Data:

Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney 

Designation: J52-P-8A

Type: twin spool axial turbojet          

Compressor Stages: 5-stage LP + 7-stage HP

Turbine: 1-stage HP + 1-stage LP

Fuel Grade: JP-4 

 

Power Data:

Military Power: 9300 lbf @ 12060 RPM

Normal Power: 8200 lbf @ 11660 RPM

 

Dimensional Data: 

Length: 14.13 m (46.36 ft)

Height: 4.55 m (14.93 ft)

Wing Span: 10.52 m (34.51 ft) 

Wing Area: 35.15 sq. m (378.35 sq. ft) 

Wing Loading: 52.7 lb./ sq. ft 

 

Weight Data:

Empty Weight: 6760 kg (14903.3 lbs)

Combat Weight: 9046 kg (19943 lbs)

Max. Loaded Weight: 12400 kg (27337.3 lbs)

 

Note: Due to the high degree of similarity between the Sa’ar and Super Mystere B.2 in regards to weight and performance (when the SMB2 uses maximum power on afterburner), general performance data can be extrapolated from known SMB2 figures. Most listed sources either state this as well, or list unverifiable data that conflict with each other. One thing is universally agreed upon though: the Sa’ar is generally considered more capable than the SMB2 due to its nearly identical thrust output, weight, lower fuel consumption, and higher ordnance capacity. Performance at altitude is surmised to be different, and Israeli figures claim 1.07M to 1.10M at altitude, though this is presumably optimistic. Likewise, climb data is difficult to come by, and it is presumed that the Sa’ar climbed nearly as well on maximum (military) power as the SMB2 on afterburner (90 m/s) at low and medium altitudes (up to 30K ft). By contrast, when the SMB2 was forced to climb without afterburner power, its climb performance suffered greatly (55 m/s).

 

General Performance Data:

Max Speed: 1.07M to 1.10M (SMB2 figures range from 1.15M to 1.3M)

Maximum Rate of Climb @ SL:  < 90 m/s*

Power-off, flaps-up Stall Speed: 135 knots (250 kph)*

Takeoff Distance: 900 m (2953 ft)*

Operational Ceiling: 13500 m (44291 ft)*

Maximum Altitude: 17000 m (55774.3 ft)*

*figure taken from SMB2 data, assumed to be very similar for the Sa’ar.

 

Maximum G-loads (identical ratings to the Super Mystere B2):

Clean Fighter: +7G

With loaded pylons: +4.5G

 

Note: At the moment, detailed speed:altitude and climb:altitude data cannot be acquired. Should this situation change in the future, further sections will be added here detailing these particular performance aspects of the Sa’ar.

 

Armament: 

Guns: 2x DEFA 552 30mm cannons (300 rds total, 150 RPG)

Maximum Ordnance Capacity: 3 metric tons (6613.8 lbs) across 4 pylons

Bomb/Rocket/Missile Ordnance: 

• 2x Shafrir-2 Missiles 
• SNEB rocket packages for air-to-air or air-to-surface usage (35 rockets each)
• 2x MATRA rocket packages (19 rockets each)
• 2x T10 rocket packages (6 rockets each)
• 500 lb bombs
• 1000 lb bombs

*Israeli-specific combinations of ordnance to take advantage of the higher ordnance capacity are currently not listed.

 

Sources:

[1] Dassault <<Super Mystere>> B2 by Jean-Jacques Petit, ouest france, 1981, ISBN 2-85882-369-3

[2] Les chasseurs Dassault Ouragans, Mysteres et Super Mysteres by Jean Cuny, Collection Docavia, Volume 13, Editions Lariviere

[3] IAF Dassault Super Mystere SMB2 Sambad - Sa’ar by A. Dor, The IAF Aircraft Series No.6, 2001, ISBN: 88-87841-02-0

[4] The Fighting Israeli Air Force: The Amazing COMbat History of the World’s Finest Air Force 1948-1984 by Stanley M. Ulanoff & David Eshel, Arco Publishing, Inc., 1985, ISBN: 0-668-05578-2

 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Aquilachrysaetos

[TerikG2014 1,389]

Open for discussion and moved to appropriate section. 

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

i really love israeli vehicules and their military history in general so +1

[_Vigilante 876]

Being a historically important aircraft that fits well within the French tree, I do undoubtedly think this plane has a place in the game.  

[FouManchou 2,463]

Sounds great. Shafrir-2 would probably be the single largest buff to the SMB2 airframe.

Should note that the tail section of the fuselage is significantly elongated. 

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

41 minutes ago, FouManchou said:

Sounds great. Shafrir-2 would probably be the single largest buff to the SMB2 airframe.

Should note that the tail section of the fuselage is significantly elongated. 

 

Shafrir-2 would definitely be a nice plus, but I'd argue that the Sa'ar would largely benefit from: 

1. Not having to bring max or near-max fuel, since its fuel consumption is much lower than the SMB2 on afterburner (which the SMB2 has to use a lot to remain competitive).

2. Not having to worry about overheating the engine on hot maps. Playing the SMB2 is extremely annoying on a map like Sicily or even Spain, and is still a nagging thought on more temperate maps. The J52 engine would eliminate such worry. 

 

Personally those perks justify the Sa'ar alone; the Shafrir is just a nice bonus.

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Solarmod 1,204]

I'd rather see this for either a half scale israeli tree, but if it had to be in game, I'd rather it be an event vehicle for france.

[Borotovas 4,500]

19 hours ago, Solarmod said:

I'd rather see this for either a half scale israeli tree, but if it had to be in game, I'd rather it be an event vehicle for france.

 

I think it would be ridiculous having this vehicle in the French tech tree, taking the place of real French aircraft. It only makes the tech trees in WT look sloppy, as every country has Israeli vehicles.

 

How about just give Israel a small tech tree? It makes more sense than adding 50 Israeli vehicles to the French/USA/British tree.

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,604]

3 hours ago, Borotovas said:

 

I think it would be ridiculous having this vehicle in the French tech tree, taking the place of real French aircraft. It only makes the tech trees in WT look sloppy, as every country has Israeli vehicles.

 

How about just give Israel a small tech tree? It makes more sense than adding 50 Israeli vehicles to the French/USA/British tree.

 

Except it's not really taking up the place of anything if it enters the game as a premium/event vehicle...of which there are only a handful scattered around through various trees. Wouldn't have to be any different than a Vautour IIA (IDF).

 

An Israeli tree is utterly pointless - moreso than the joke that is China.

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

small tech tree like this could be lock behind a certain tier like helis are and the TT would only consist of their modern design/variant of existing vehicules

[TheBlazero 46]

Most definitely want this in game, would make a perfect premium Jet fighter/attacker for the French.

 

+1

[MasterOfUltramar 1,711]

On 19/03/2020 at 00:20, Aquilachrysaetos said:

 

Except it's not really taking up the place of anything if it enters the game as a premium/event vehicle...of which there are only a handful scattered around through various trees. Wouldn't have to be any different than a Vautour IIA (IDF).

 

An Israeli tree is utterly pointless - moreso than the joke that is China.

Not really, a tree from Tier 4 and up could be made, for tanks that is.

Unlockable like heli tree 

[TheBlazero 46]

8 hours ago, FinlandSupreme said:

Not really, a tree from Tier 4 and up could be made, for tanks that is.

Unlockable like heli tree 

For tanks, Israel has plenty to cover from tier 1 and up, issue is for aircraft mostly, because before the Avia S199 which would make an okay tier 2 or 3, the only aircraft available were basically Piper cubs.

 

If an Israeli tree is ever implemented, the air tree definitely needs to be one of those you should be able to unlock similar to the helicopter ones.

[MasterOfUltramar 1,711]

Just now, TheBlazero said:

For tanks, Israel has plenty to cover from tier 1 and up, issue is for aircraft mostly, because before the Avia S199 which would make an okay tier 2 or 3, the only aircraft available were basically Piper cubs.

 

If an Israeli tree is ever implemented, the air tree definitely needs to be one of those you should be able to unlock similar to the helicopter ones.

Yes,  Israeli only has 4 domestically made jet fighters. IAI Nesher, Nammer, Kfir and Lavi. Of which Namemr and Lavi are prototypes. But if such tree comes, we prolly will see it filled with copy paste.

[MasterOfUltramar 1,711]

+1 for French prem, a non bomber top tier prem jet is needed.

[Abaddon75 460]

+1 For me it's a big Yes! and it could be Event/Prem/Squadron or whatever. Just a little addition to your work, the wet pylon on original SMB2s aquired by Israel were useless in short range mission and the aircraft's payload was judged insufficient, so before the replacement of the engine was considered, israely SMB2s received an option for a dry pylon put in place of the wet one, making it an already better otpion for CAS with 4 pylons for armements. An other improvement the new engine bring to it, is a better power ratio as you mentionned it, so they added 2 more pylons at the root of each wings. here is some pics :

Pictures of the dry pylon

Spoiler

here with small bombs (for training?)

 

Pictures with the 6 pylons

Spoiler

 

 

Here some videos showing israelis SMB2s

Spoiler

go to 3:18 to see SMB2s (and pass over Mystere 4s)

 

 

 

And here some pictures of models made that show some of the payload option seen in those video

Spoiler

 

Here are scans taken from the SMB2 suggestion made a while back

@Yukichi shared with us in the comment those documents, from "Les chasseurs Dassault: Ouragan, Mystere et Super Mysteres" by Jean Cuny (in French) I know it's in your sources but it's kinda cool to have it there

Spoiler

 

Hope to see the Honduras version proposed to, it's the same, but maybe the payload option are different, saddly can't find any informations on that.

Edited December 6, 2020 by Abaddon75

[Trotrodor 2,670]

+1 french premium tier V

[yoyolast 1,710]

I think it can make a great rank V premium for France. The premium Vautour can perform well in an air-air role in the right hands, but the French tree needs a proper rank V premium fighter and, as a modification of the Super Mystere, the Sa'ar would be a really fitting choice. +1

[Milocat 4,857]

1 hour ago, yoyolast said:

I think it can make a great rank V premium for France. The premium Vautour can perform well in an air-air role in the right hands, but the French tree needs a proper rank V premium fighter and, as a modification of the Super Mystere, the Sa'ar would be a really fitting choice. +1

 

Since it doesn't look like we're going to get an Israeli tree, this would be an acceptable way to get this unique aircraft variant into the game.  +1.

[yoyolast 1,710]

Soooooooo, a CDK leak happened today and this was there:

 

[Draco_Argentum 1,504]

19 hours ago, yoyolast said:

Soooooooo, a CDK leak happened today and this was there:

 

Honestly one of the leaked planes that interests me the most.

[FlightLover 1]

The only thing I was waiting for has finally been leaked! I hope they make the 3 color scheme which was more common. I also really love the trapezoidal identificators that were added after the Yom Kippur war, hopefully we'll have that option too. 

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

I hope this thing is not gonna be the French rank 6 premium jet TT or SQV would be better...(even an iraeli A-4N will sell better than that thing)

or is it better than B2 we already have in TT ?

Edited June 18, 2021 by WreckingAres283

[yoyolast 1,710]

2 hours ago, WreckingAres283 said:

I hope this thing is not gonna be the French rank 6 premium jet TT or SQV would be better...(even an iraeli A-4N will sell better than that thing)

or is it better than B2 we already have in TT ?

It has better engine performence with no afterburner (take of it what you will) as well as better ordenance carrying capacity and the ability to carry Shafrir-2 missiles (comparable to Aim-9D). In short yeah it's better, would probably need to be at least BR 9.3 in the current meta.

 

Edit: They also had a significantly lower weight which is great for handling.

Edited June 18, 2021 by yoyolast