About This File
Dassault Sambad & IAI Sa'ar (1958-1975)
This skin pack for Thirdwire's stock Super Mystère B2 (Sambad, from the acronym SMBD) and Sa'ar (Tempest) covers every Sambad and Sa'ar in Israeli service from 1958 to 1975. It includes several skins for each type that reflect changed paintschemes, attrition, losses, replenishments and upgrades. The serial numbers are as real as it gets, but due to lack of reliable and/or complete information, some service dates might be wrong.
The Sambad was the IAF's first supersonic fighter and also its first aircraft with an afterburning engine. On December 4th 1958, the first Israeli Super Mystères arrived at Hatzor's No. 105 Scorpion Squadron. When the J52-P-8A engine became available with the introduction of the A-4 Ayit in late 1967, IAF engineers suggested it replacing the Sambad's unreliable Atar 101G-3 engine. While not afterburning, the J52 was lighter and more powerful than the original engine, allowing for more ordnance and an extended range. Other modifications to the original airframe included an extended rear fuselage to accomodate the new engine (also anticipating and inspiring the 'barrel mod' on the Ayits) and two new hardpoints for the Shafrir 2 air-to-air missile. The first upgraded Sambad - now called IAI Sa'ar - entered service in 1969 and conversion was complete in early 1973. Only two years later, in March 1975, the Sa'ars of No. 105 Squadron were replaced with the F-4E Kurnass. The remaining Sa'ars were sold to Honduras in 1976.
CREDITS:
Original skins and decals - Thirdwire
Silver skin repaint - ekek
Decals and inis - ekek & wilco
Testing - Team Flying Dragon
Enjoy!
Team Flying Dragon (alex70b, ekek, guyran, Stick, wilco)
Released under the CombatAce Fair-Use License.
If you have any problems or comments, contact us at CombatAce.