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The K-FP1 Thunderbird is a North Oscotian single and/or tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by Konig industries for the Royal Oscotian Air Force. Proving highly adaptable, it entered service with the Royal Oscotian Navy in 1969, becoming a major part of their air arms. Thunderbird production ran from 1966 to 1999 with a total of 2,500 aircraft built,

The Thunderbird is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs. The Thunderbird, like other interceptors of its time, was designed with an internal cannon, incorporating an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon.

The genesis of the K-FP1 Thunderbird can be traced back to the mid years of the late 1950's and 60's when Oscotia was looking to modernize it's air force fleet with jet powered aircraft. The main fighter aircraft available at the time was the F-2 Starstrike. Oscotian authorities put the requirement out for a new fighter plane that could be used in a multirole fighter/bomber capacity. Fairman, Maitland and OAC Industries were offered the contract. It was however Konig Industries that submitted the favourable design, codenamed 'Phoenix', it was later named Thunderbird in latter stages of design.

Oscotia reviewed and agreed to the Thunderbird design. Key reasons was the large fuel tanks for long range flight and the aircrafts high offensive and armament capabilities. The development with Konig began in 1963. The Oscotian Government and Military advised Konig of it's requirements and design prototypes for the Thunderbird and conduct flight and combat trials soon followed. Konig took to the drawing board and the first Thunderbird was built in 1965.

Testing and Combat trials was soon undertaken, with the first flight taking place on the 14th April 1965. Early trails showed huge promise. Tactics and Strategy with the Thunderbird was being developed by the Oscotian Air Force with emphasis on air defence and air support strikes. After some upgrades to the engine and overall structure including the fuel tanks, the first full production of the Thunderbird began in March 1966 with 155 aircraft being produced for Operational use in November 1966. The Mark A Thunderbird boasted a rugged airframe, powerful engines, and a formidable offensive armament, making it a highly capable adversary for enemy fighters and ground defences alike

The Thunderbird continued to develop and serve the Royal Oscotian Air Force. Future variants were developed with the Thunderbird being adapted for use with the Royal Oscotian Navy. It was exported to several nations during and after the war and continued to serve Oscotia until 1999. The Thunderbird was deemed an excellent aircraft, fully capable of the roles and tasks it flew for. The Thunderbird served across the Isles with many nations distinctly and is a huge interest among military history and aircraft enthusiasts. A handful of Thunderbird's still flies to this day, in Oscotia, four Thunderbirds fly as part of the Military Heritage Squadron and is a great spectator view at air-shows and military museums across the Isles.

Roles and Export

Versatile and adaptable, the Thunderbird was capable of performing a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Its twin-engine configuration provided ample power for high-speed interceptions and long-range patrols, while its advanced avionics and weapon systems allowed it to engage targets with precision and accuracy in any environment, day or night.

Recognizing the Thunderbird's exceptional performance and capabilities, Konig Industries developed the aircraft for export to allies and trade partners, further expanding its influence and presence on the global stage. The Thunderbird's export variants were tailored to meet the specific requirements of foreign air forces, ensuring interoperability and compatibility with existing military systems and doctrines

Two Royal Oscotian Air Force Thunderbirds - 1973

Dimensions:

Crew: 1 or 2 (Variant Dependant)
Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)
Wingspan 38 ft 5 in (11.7 m)
Height: 16 ft 5 in (5 m)

Performance:

Maximum Speed: 1,280 kn (1,470 mph, 2,370 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
Range: 1,457 nmi (1,677 mi, 2,699 km)
Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
Rate of Climb: 41,300 ft/min (210 m/s)

Powerplant:

2 × General Electric J79-GE-17A after-burning turbojet engines, 11,905 lbf (52.96 kN) thrust each dry, 17,845 lbf (79.38 kN) with afterburner

Armament:

Cannon: 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan cannon mounted internally under the nose

Missiles: 4× AIM-9 Sidewinders
4× AIM-7 Sparrow
6× AGM-65 Maverick
4× AGM-62 Walleye
4x AGM-88 HARM,

Bombs: 4× GBU-15
18× Mk.82, GBU-12
5× Mk.84, GBU-10, GBU-14
18× CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58

Operators:

North Oscotia - Royal Oscotian Air Force, Royal Oscotian Navy

Variants:

K-FP1A Thunderbird - Single Seat Fighter Variant.
K-FP1B Thunderbird - Tandem Seat Fighter-Interceptor
K-FP1C Thunderbird - Tandem Seat Fighter-Bomber
K-FP1D Thunderbird - Single Seat Naval Fighter - Interceptor
K-FP1E Thunderbird - Tandem Seat Fighter Bomber

The Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon is a Alteran fighter aircraft that served as an interceptor during the 1960s, the 1970s and into the late 1980s. It remains the only AR-designed-and-built fighter capable of Mach 2. The P.48 Pigeon was designed, developed, and manufactured by Carneath State Aviation, which was later absorbed by the newly-formed Alteran Aerospace company. Later the type was marketed as the AAe P.48 Pigeon.

A unique feature of the P.48 Pigeon's design is the vertical, staggered configuration of its two Rowlands Priory turbojet engines within the fuselage. The P.48 Pigeon was initially designed and developed as an interceptor to defend Alteran airfields and installations from attack by anticipated future nuclear-armed supersonic bombers, but it was subsequently also required to intercept other bomber and strike aircraft.

The P.48 Pigeon has exceptional rate of climb, ceiling, and speed; pilots have described flying it as "being saddled to a skyrocket". This performance and the initially limited fuel supply meant that its missions are dictated to a high degree by its limited range. Later developments provided greater range and speed along with aerial reconnaissance and ground-attack capability.

Development

Initial designs were led by Callum 'Teddy' Friseal, one of CSA's lead designers, based on his original plans for a supersonic fighter and swept wing design - designs which began during the Imperial War. However, much of the later development of the aircraft would, after the merger of CSA to form AAe, be lead a large team of designers and developers.

A unique feature of the design was its vertically staggered engine configuration of two Rowlands Priory turbojets, housed within the fuselage. The aircraft was initially conceived as an interceptor, designed to defend airfields housing Altera's deterrant against foreign adversaries. It was thought that during the post-Imperial War landscape of the 1960's these could be vulnerable to attack from the air in any future nuclear conflict.

Friseal’s initial design was for an aircraft capable of Mach 1.5 and he determined that as a consequence a conventional 40° swept wing would be required. A proposal was submitted November 1948, and after the project was provisionally accepted by Carneath State Aviation, it was given the designation P.A in January 1949.

On 29th March 1949, the Council for Supply granted their approval for work to begin on a more detailed design, as well as the creation of wind tunnel models and a full-size mock-up. The design developed at quite a pace and in the latter part of 1949, the target speed was broadened to Mach 2. This meant that in Friseal's opinion, the required wing sweep needed to be increased to 60° with the ailerons moved to the wingtips. Low-speed wind tunnel tests showed vortex issues would be generated by the wing, creating a large downwash on the tailplane. This was quickly resolved by lowering the height of the tailplane.

The project suffered a major blow however, when Friseal suddenly died following an unexpected stroke, followed by a heart attack. Aelfred MacInnock took over as Design Team Leader for the CSA P.A, for which the Council for Supply had subsequently expanded the scope of the project, to include fighter-level manoeuvring.

On 1st April 1950, Carneath State Aviation then received an official contract for two flying and one static airframe. The company continued with the development of the aircraft, particularly focusing on the swept wing design. By 1954, the first prototype successfully took flight from Ludlum Aerodrome - proving the design to be a major contender in then-modern aviation. However, it would not be until 1959 that the Alteran Air Defence Force formally accepted the aircraft into service. Over the course of its lifetime, the P.48 Pigeon would continue to be tweaked, developed and improved - including expanding fuel capacity, armaments, avionics and many other aspects of the aircraft.

Design

The Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon had over double the speed and climb rate of the aircraft that they replaced when joining front line squadrons in 1959. They gave the AADF a world class interceptor, capable of out performing all other aircraft at the time. They remain the fastest Alteran fighter aircraft ever produced. During their intensive development and testing period, the Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon became the first Alteran engineered aircraft to go supersonic during level flight.

The aircraft design dates back to 1947. It was then that the Carneath State Aviation company was commissioned by the Alteran government to produce an aircraft to study supersonic flight.

Based on the data gathered and analysis, a second test aircraft was produced, designated the P.B. Its design incorporated a large air intake in the nose of the aircraft feeding a pair of Priory turbojet engines mounted vertically, one above the other, to minimize fuselage drag.

The Priory engines were equipped with afterburners. With full power, the P.1B was able to fly at Mach 2 for the first time on November 23, 1958. With few modifications, the aircraft became the Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon. Additional testing found that the aircraft met or exceeded its design specifications. They were then approved for military service.

Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon aircraft, thanks to an advanced radar system, could fly in all weather. The radar system also had the capability of automatically launching the aircraft's air to air missiles, once within range of its target.

Although at first the complexity of the Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon was a challenge to its pilots and ground crews, it soon became a favorite. It enabled the AADF to have an all-weather fighter with performance equal to or better than other world class fighter aircraft of the time. Its radar, housed in a cone in the nose of the aircraft at the entrance to the air intake, had a relatively long range while searching from ground levels to high altitudes. It enabled the aircraft to hone in on its targets within firing range of its two air-to-air missiles. The P.48 Pigeon became the first AADF single seat fighter to use an integrated weapons system. Prior aircraft were basically gun platforms.

Through the years the fighter received upgrades to improve its performance in order to remain a viable air defense weapon until it was retired. These included improved avionics, an in-flight refueling system, and a wing that enabled the doubling of its original fuel capacity.

The Carneath State Aviation P.48 Pigeon stayed in service until 1988, when replaced by the strike variants of the Balam tactical bomber.

Variants

P.A (1954)

Single-seat supersonic research aircraft.

P.B (1957)

Single-seat operational prototypes, 20 development aircraft ordered in February 1954 - officially named 'Pigeon' in October 1958.

F.1 (1958 - 1963)

Single-seat fighters delivered from 1959. Nose-mounted twin 30 mm cannon, two air-to-air missiles, VHF Radio and aerial detection radar.

F.2 (1961 - 1965)

Single-seat fighter, featuring Priory Mk.211R engines, retained cannon and air-to-air missiles (replaceable missile pack swappable with 30 mm Cannon Pack for a total of four 20 mm cannon), arrestor hook and enlarged ventral Tank for two hours flight endurance.

F.3 (1962 - 1975)

Single-seat fighter with upgraded radar, Priory Mk.301R engines. Extended range of 800 miles due to large ventral tank and new cambered wings.

F.4 (1970 - 1982)

Featured new wings with better efficiency and subsonic performance, overwing fuel tanks and a larger ventral fuel tank, reintroduction of 30 mm cannon.

T.1 (1972 - 1969)

Two-seat side-by-side training version, based on the F.4.

VG.1 (1974 - 1982)

Twin-seat interceptor/strike aircraft featuring variable geometry wings, extended fuselage, relocated undercarriage, underwing hardpoints, cheek-mounted intakes, new radar and use of improved AAMs.

Operators

• Air Defence Force - Alteran Republics (retired in 1988)

• Maritime Defence Fore - Alteran Republics (retired in 1987)
  

Liveries

Blank P.48 P.A	Blank P.48 P.B
Blank P.48 F.1	Blank P.48 F.2
Blank P.48 F.3	Blank P.48 F.4
Blank P.48 T.1	Blank P.48 VG.1

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Merito non pareret. | By merit, not birth.