Comets Over Serbia

[Spinners 15,966]

SOKO Kometa - 101st Fighter Squadron, Serbian Air Force and Air Defence, 2010

In May 1982 the government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, led by Petar Stambolić, announced the ambitious 'Novi Avion' programme with the aim of designing and manufacturing an air superiority fighter to supplement and eventually replace the Yugoslavian Air Force's substantial MiG-21 force. SOKO (the state aircraft manufacturer) were awarded a design study contract and by 1984 their proposal had crystallized into a single-engine, supersonic fighter aircraft featuring a delta wing with a canard foreplane. The 'Novi Avion' programme seemed to mimic the Republic's move away from Communism to a market economy by becoming a much more capable multi-role aircraft and therefore more attractive to potential export customers. Whilst this did mean an unavoidable escalation in aircraft size and weight it did mean that the excellent Lyulka AL-31F engine (as used in the Sukhoi Su-27) would be a perfect match.

In May 1986 the Yugoslavian Government ordered 150 'Novi Avion' aircraft to replace both its MiG-21 and Soko J-21 Jastreb fleets and the following month saw SOKO rename the aircraft as the SOKO Kometa (Comet). Development moved smoothly during the remainder of the decade and many elements of the aircraft programme such as production facilities, mock-up, cockpit simulator, etc. had been constructed. However the start of the new decade saw the political situation in Yugoslavia worsen and by 1991 Yugoslavia had begun to disintegrate into several smaller nations. Putting a brave face on the situation, SOKO announced a postponement of the programme but also an intent to continue "as soon as possible". Production facilities were partially dismantled and relocated to Serbia with SOKO absorbing Utva Aviation Industry (based in Pančevo) who had previously worked with SOKO in the manufacturing of the J-22 Orao and also the G-4 Super Galeb. 

On April 28th, 1992 the two remaining republics of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and President Dobrica Ćosić wasted no time in re-launching the Kometa programme. Behind the scenes, SOKO were instructed to simplify certain aspects of the Kometa which included reducing the number of weapon stations from 11 down to 7 by eliminating the four body pylons. The UN economic sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were bypassed largely by switching to Chinese avionics. SOKO worked miracles in assembling the first Kometa prototype during 1997 although the first flight would have to wait until May 1st, 1998 when Major General Dragan Mihajlović lifted off from Batajnica Air Base. In 2003 the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia became officially known as the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro but by 2006 Montenegro left the union following a referendum leading to the full independence of Serbia and Montenegro. This political instability slowed the programme even further and it was not until June 5th, 2006 that the Kometa entered service with the 101st Squadron of the Serbian Air Force.

 

 

 

Skin Credit: Insky Group. The 3D Model is (of course) the J-10 Vigorous Dragon also by the Insky Group.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Spinners
Changed fin flash

[dsawan 613]

Nice background story;begging for a release

[NGajic 1]

Looking good! Is there any reason they have Dutch flag on the tail instead of Serbian? 

Edited March 1, 2021 by NGajic

[Spinners 15,966]

6 hours ago, NGajic said:

Looking good! Is there any reason they have Dutch flag on the tail instead of Serbian? 

Good catch! I'll change it asap.

[Spinners 15,966]

SOKO Kometa - 241st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Serbian Air Force & Air Defence, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Spinners

[Spinners 15,966]

I've downloaded all of the J-10's in the download sections of SF1 and SF2 and there's no less than FIVE different LOD's in existence! There are even LOD's hiding in some of the skin folders!

Anyway, I'll release this soon with the LOD dated 24/09/2009 (a sweet 3D model) with the skin by Jv44kt with 2 Serbian squadrons and a bonus skin for the Montenegrin Air Force. This LOD has all 11 pylons (not all of them did) so there goes my backstory!

I like to use stock items whereever I can but I will include the weapons shown above that are all referred to in the loadout.ini but you can tailor it to suit what you have in your install.

 

[Wrench 9,427]

maybe that should be used to fix the J-10, and give a more 'workable' bird. They (Insky) always did do things a bit 'strange'