Hispano Aviación HA-330 Dardo
The Hispano Aviación HA-330 was a twin-engine, delta-wing, light supersonic Interceptor aircraft developed in Spain during the late 1950s and early 60s. It was designed by the famous German aircraft designer Willy Messerschmitt. After World War II, Willy Messerschmitt was prohibited as a German citizen from undertaking any further research or development related to the German military, including the manufacture of aircraft, until 1955. He therefore moved to Spain where he joined Hispano Aviación and started designing an ultralight fighter aircraft in 1951. The development was very slow and Messerschmitt was able to build only a delta-shaped plywood glider without a tail. Towed by a CASA 2.111, the test flight for the glider was not completed due to instability and the airplane did not become airborne. Due to changing requirements and the development of new fighters and bombers, the HA-300 project was abandoned in 1960 in favor of a larger and more capable fighter. The new requirement called for a twin engine aircraft capable of mach 2 as it was believed by the Spanish high command that the HA-300 would become outdated by the time it entered service. Unsurprisingly the new aircraft was to a large extent based on the HA-300 as a result the final design had the appearance of an enlarged twin engine HA-300.
The HA-330 as the new aircraft was designated was the first successful Spanish aircraft combining fighter and interceptor characteristics in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2, and is thus comparable to the American Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, the French Dassault Mirage III and the Soviet Mig-21. The delta wing, while excellent for a fast-climbing interceptor, meant any form of turning combat led to a rapid loss of speed. However, the light loading of the aircraft could mean that a climb rate of 237 m/s (46,600 ft/min) was possible with a combat-loaded HA-330, not far short of the performance of the later F-16A. Given a skilled pilot and capable missiles, it could give a good account of itself against contemporary fighters. The first prototype of the HA-330, first flew in October 1962, with The first major production model, the HA-330A entering service in September 1964 with the Spanish Air Force as the C-11A Dardo equipping the ALA (Wing) 11 at Morón Air Base. The Spanish Air Force ordered a total of 144 aircraft all which had been delivered by 1971.
Hispano Aviación actively marketed the HA-330 in the export market securing an order from the Egyptian Air Force in 1963 for 96 aircraft to be assembled in Egypt. The first Egyptian HA-330s entered service 1966 quickly becoming a favorite among Egyptian pilots who found it superior to the Mig-21 in handling and also more forgiving than its Soviet counterpart. Egyptian HA-330s saw extensive service during the Six-day war against Israel, although pilots liked the aircraft 35 percent of the fleet was destroyed or damaged during the Israelis preemptive strike. During the war the HA-330s were used mostly in their intended role as a fighter but they also performed ground attack missions. Despite the early losses the HA-330s managed to claim several victories against the Israeli Air Force including three Super Mystères, two Mystère IVs and four Mirage IIIs with at least four unconfirmed kills. At the end of the war the Egyptian Air Force quickly began to rebuild its arsenal and among the first orders placed was substantial order for 220 HA-330s due to the aircrafts performance during the war. The HA-330 would see combat again during the War of Attrition although the brunt of the fighting was taken by the Soviet types. It was during the 1973 Yom Kippur War that the Spanish fighter really showed its potential inflicting severe losses on the Israeli air force, with the number of kills believed to be somewhere between 60 to 100 aerial victories and also credited with a similar number of ground vehicles making it one of the most successful aircraft of the war.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 14 m
Wingspan: 8 m
Height: 4.20 m
Wing area: 24.88 m²
Empty weight: 5,300 kg
Loaded weight: 7,600 kg (two air-to-air missiles)
Max. takeoff weight: 9,200 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Siddeley Orpheus BOr.12 afterburning turbojet
Dry thrust: 30.29 kN (6,810 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 36.34 kN (8,170 lbf)
Performance
Maximum speed: 2,350 km/h (1,460 mph; 1,269 kn) at 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
Stall speed: 210 km/h (114 knots, 131 mph) IAS
Combat radius: 1,200 km (air superiority, two AAMs and three drop tanks)
Ferry range: 2,200 km
Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,420 ft)
Rate of climb: 237 m/s (46,600 ft/min)