This article follows on from the previous article about the well known jet trainers of Europe – if you haven’t read it click here to go to the article.
Among the major jet trainers in Europe, several innovators developed other jet trainers – either to compete on the international market or to satisfy demand within their own
Fokker S-14 Machtrainer
Fokker had a long history in aviation. Unsurprisingly it was one of the first to think of and develop a dedicated platform for a jet trainer. The Fokker S-14 Machtrainer (to give it it’s full title) started it’s research and development life in the late 1940s and did live to be one of the first jet trainers in the world. The aircraft was of rather conventional design and had it’s first flight in 1951.
It was expected that it would serve with several airforces. Of course, the Royal Netherlands Airforce utilised the aircraft. However, it was expected that Brazil would place and order for 50 aircraft. This, perhaps sadly, dropped due to a change in political climate and left the aircraft without any overseas orders – and only 21 aircraft built.
This is perhaps why – despite being a massive step forward in aviation in Europe – it is often overlooked or forgotten; maybe this is why only one kit exists of this early stage jet trainer.
The kit in question is from Czech Master Resin. It retails for around €25-40 depending on
Morane-Saulnier MS 760
This aircraft is a development of an aircraft that lost in the jet trainer competition against the Fouga Magister. This aircraft is larger, and was less trainer focused than it’s predecessor but was used as a jet trainer, though in a far more limited capacity – often being used for liaison and photographic purposes as well (and Brazil also already had the Fouga Magister).
Only one model kit exists by Aero File in 1/72. It sells for around €16-20 and is of fairly good quality. The detail is quite good and features decals to build 3 aircraft (and the slightly different parts between the French/Argentinian and Brazilian versions).
Hispano HA-200
Spain had an industry that built aircraft throughout the 1940s – often licensed built aircraft or modified existing aircraft (like their variation of the Fokker DXXI). In the 1950s the realisation that a jet trainer was needed was undertaken by Hispano – with the assistance of W Messerschmitt. The aircraft was a pretty conventional design but was also capable of light attack.
It first flew in 1955 but didn’t enter service until 1962. The trainer and light attack versions totalled 212 (with 90 licence built). The light attack variant was labelled the HA-220. The aircraft was exported to Egypt and remained in service with Spain as a single seat variant until 1981.
The resin kit has been under a vast amount of names. Some include the wings and the fuselage as a single piece, some appear to have these as separate parts. Either way these aren’t as common as the MPM kit and feature a vacufrom canopy. They’re also not as easy to find and tend to sell for about €15 anyway. Personally, I’d spend the extra and get the MPM kit.
PZL TS-11 Iskra
Poland’s air industry had a lot of icons – such as the PZL P.11C. Even today it continues to develop existing aircraft and helicopters with relative success. In the cold war, however, the Soviet Union wanted a single jet trainer across the Soviet states. Two main competitors existed; the L-29 – covered in our previous article – would eventually win against the PZL TS-11 Iskra.
The TS-11 Iskra, however, achieved success in it’s home nation. Although not as widely
Kits for this aircraft are quite easy to locate. Plastyk/Mastercraft have a number of different variants – but they’re essentially all birthed from the same basic mould. They aren’t the most detailed and do require some scratch building and filler to get a competition level kit. It does, however, make an excellent ‘training’ model as it’s inexpensive – at €5-10 a piece. Variants for the naval, trainer, and Indian aircraft exist. There is also an Iskry Team variant but it contains almost standard decals and after-market decals and masking tape are required.
Saab 105
Sweden has a famous history of indigenous aircraft that really found it’s footing in the
It featured a higher tail configuration, with a side-by-side cockpit. The cockpit could also be converted to a 4 seat VIP transport at minimal effort, showing the ingenuity of SAAB for this aircraft.
The aircraft was widely used in Sweden, and was also exported to Austria as well. It was also proposed and pitched to Finland and Switzerland, but neither nation chose the type for service. In Swedish service and Austrian service it was used by national aerobatic teams. Currently the Saab 105 is still used quite often as a solo display by the Austrian Airforce.
Only one kit exists for the Saab 105. It is a Marivox kit, and has a reputation for
Next we’ll look at the aircraft that came to replace or complement these trainers – in Europe’s modern trainers!