YeV-51

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YeV-51 Interceptor, Non-Afterburning YeV-51
Aircraft
The YeV-51 in flight as seen from a Dorislavian Air Force Z-80L.
Role		Emergency interceptor
National Origin		Dorislav
Production History
Designed
2163 - 2165
Designer		tbd
Unit Cost		18,913(√)
Number Built		2
Service History
Used By		Dorislav (intended operator)
Aircraft Characteristics
Dry Mass		5.303 t
Length		13.2 m
Width		9 m
Height		3.8 m
Propulsion		1x tbd 120 kN (ASL) non-afterburning jet engine
Maximum Velocity		342.5 m/s at 1,450 m (unarmed)
Operational Range		375 km
Crew		1
Sensor Systems		n/a (w/o IR missiles)
Armament		2x 30 mm autocannons, 2x IR missiles
Variants		YeV-51 Type 1, YeV-51 Type 2

The tbd YeV-51 (Dorislavian: ЕВ-51, short for for Експериментальний Винищувач-51, meaning Experimental Fighter-51) was a prototype Dorislavian interceptor.

Overview

Dorislav's fleet of Z-80Ls inherited from Belanirislav when it regained independence is relatively small. The YeV-51 was designed to replace them should the number of operational units become critically low or cease to exist during a war. Despite its impressive maneuverability, the YeV-51 was ultimately rejected due to the following factors: the Type 1's inferior construction; the plane heavily used wood, meaning it could only pull so many G's before tearing itself apart. Not to mention, it made the plane an easy target. Both the Type 1 (first prototype) and Type 2 (second prototype using an aluminum construction) passed the Mach 1 test unarmed, but when fully loaded with 30 mm ammo and IR missiles, they failed to pass the Mach 1 test as required, even at 1,400 m ASL, due to their engines not having the power to reach such speeds.

The Emergency Interceptor program would be dropped shortly after they were rejected. The Type 2 would be used to train fighter pilots on dealing with highly maneuverable aircraft until 2168, while the Type 1 would be destroyed after being used as a gunfire target during a training flight.

It is alleged that the YeV-51 Type 2 was briefly used in an airstrike, during which it dropped two 500-pound bombs on Zimori targets during the Siege of Kobyeda in 2170. How many military personnel and civilians were killed is unknown, but this was reportedly to explore the possibility of creating an attack plane derived from the interceptor with a slightly shorter fuselage. Indeed, a derivative of it called the Sh-4 was made, but whether the alleged airstrike had any role in the Sh-4's development is questionable.

tbd later developed the V-67 to supplement the Dorislavian Air Force's Z-80L fleet in the interceptor role.

Variants

The two prototypes were designated YeV-51 Types 1 through 2. A third prototype was planned with fly-by-wire and afterburners, though the Emergency Interceptor program required that proposals must not have afterburners, digital instruments or fly-by-wire, and only use analog instruments and hydraulic or mechanical controls. Plus, the program had already been dropped after disappointing results displayed by both prototypes when it was being designed.

YeV-51 Type 1

The first prototype, this plane had an all-wood construction (excluding the cockpit panel and internal parts which used metals) to save on strategic materials such as aluminum, steel and titanium, and was armed with two .50 caliber machine guns. Although simpler to build, its wooden construction and lack of self-sealing fuel tanks meant that it was easy to destroy, and pulling high-g maneuvers could put a strain on the wings, if not tear them apart. Due to inferior construction and inadequate armament, the Type 1 was rejected. tbd was given a chance to make a new prototype with improved construction and armament, which resulted in the YeV-51 Type 2.

The Type 1 was eventually destroyed in 2166 when it was strafed by a new Dorislavian Air Force pilot during his training flight. Whatever was left of it after the strafing run was sent to the woodchipper, or in the case of internal parts made of metal like the engine, melted for scrap.

YeV-51 Type 2

The YeV-51 Type 2 was the second prototype YeV-51. Using an all-metal construction and equipped with two 30 mm autocannons and a pair of heat-seeking missiles, it was a major upgrade from the first prototype, though not a lot in terms of speed. The switch from wood to aluminum drastically increased its dry mass from 3 tons to 5 tons, and its speed fell to 335 m/s or Mach 0.984 as a result. It maintained its impressive maneuverability, and could pull more g's due to its all-metal construction.

See also

TBD