EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", Brazilian Air Force

[Dizzyfugu]

New creative mayhem. Ever wondered what happens if you take an exotic aircraft and create ...something more conservative? Well, this is one possible outcome, the EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula"!


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some background:
Seeking a domestic aircraft manufacturer, the Brazilian government made several investments in this area during the 1940s and '50s, but it was not until 1969 that Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica (EMBRAER) was created as a government-owned corporation. Born from a Brazilian government plan and having been state-run from the beginning, EMBRAER began a privatization process alongside many other state-controlled companies during the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso. This privatization effort saw EMBRAER sold on December 7, 1994, and helped it avoid a looming bankruptcy.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The company's first product was a turboprop transport, the EMBRAER EMB 110 Bandeirante. In the course of years, both civil and military aircraft were developed, the focus shifted more and more to airliners, but the military work was never abandoned. The company continued to win government contracts, which included the EMB 314/T-27 Tucano trainer or the EMB 324/A-29 ground attack aircraft.

The EMB 320 was a bigger aircraft, though, and conceived in the early 2000s, when, with renewed economic stability, the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) underwent an extensive renewal of its inventory through several acquisition programs. The most ambitious of which was the acquisition of 36 new front-line interceptor aircraft to replace its aging Mirage III, known as the "F-X Project".

In parallel, a supplement to the relatively new AMX fighter bomber (designated A-1 in Brazil) was needed, too, and this program ran under the handle "A-X Project". While the F-X program was postponed several times until 2005, the A-X program made, thanks to its smaller budget needs, quick progress and resulted in the EMB 320 'Libélula' (Hornet), a dedicated ground attack, COIN and observation/FAC aircraft which would fill the gap between the AMX jets and various helicopters, e. g. the Mi-35M4 attack helicopter.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The EMB 320 was a straightforward design: a mid-wing two-turboprop-engined all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear. Conceptually it was very similar to the Argentinian FMA IA-58 Pucara, but more sophisticated and with more compact dimensions. The aircraft was designed to operate from forward bases, in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain. Repairs could be made with ordinary tools, and no ground equipment was required to start the engines.

The EMB 320 had a tandem cockpit arrangement; the crew of two were seated under an extensively glazed canopy on Martin-Baker Mk 6AP6A zero/zero ejection seats and were provided with dual controls. The pilot sat in front, while the rear seat would, if the mission called for it, be occupied by an observer, WSO or a flight teacher for training purposes. Armor plating was fitted to protect the crew and engines from hostile ground fire.

The retractable tricycle landing gear, with a double nose wheel and twin main wheels retracting into the engine nacelles, was fitted with low pressure tires to suit operations on rough ground and unprepared air strips, while the undercarriage legs were tall to give good clearance for underslung weapon loads. The undercarriage, flaps and brakes are operated hydraulically, with no pneumatic systems.
Through powerful high lift devices the EMB 320 could perform short takeoffs and landings, even on aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious assault ships without using catapults or arresting wires. Additionally, three JATO rockets could be fitted under the fuselage to allow extra-short take-off.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The aircraft was powered by a pair of Garrett T76-G turboprops, 1,040 hp (775.5 kW) each, driving sets of contra-rotating, three-bladed Hamilton-Standard propellers which were also capable of being used as air brakes. The engines were modified for operating on soy-derived bio-jet fuel. Alternatively the engines would operate on high-octane automobile fuel with only a slight loss of power, too.
Fuel was fed from two fuselage tanks of combined capacity of 800 l (180 imp gal; 210 US gal) and two self-sealing tanks of 460 l (100 imp gal; 120 US gal) in the wings.

The "Libélula", quickly christened this way due to its slender fuselage, straight wings and the large cockpit glazing, was highly maneuverable at low altitude, had a low heat signature and incorporated 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision guided munitions at all weather conditions, day and night.

Armament consisted of two fixed 30 mm (1.181 in) Bernardini Mk-164 cannons in the wing roots and a total of nine external weapon hardpoints; these included a pair of launch rails at the wingtips for AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs (or ECM pods), four underwing pylons outside of the propeller radius and three underfuselage hardpoints. Chaff/flare dispensers in the tail section provided passive safety. The EMB 320 could carry more than 3.5 tons of external munitions, and loiter for three or more hours.

Avionics included:
● MIL-STD-1553 standards
● NVG ANVIS-9 (Night Vision)
● CCIP / CCRP / CCIL / DTOS / LCOS / SSLC (Computerized Attack Modes)
● R&S{RT} M3AR VHF/UHF airborne transceiver (two-way encrypted Data Link provision)
● HUD / HOTAS
● HMD with UFCP(Up Front Control Panel)
● Laser INS with GPS Navigational System
● CMFD (Colored Multi-Function Display) liquid crystal active matrix
● Integrated Radio Communication and Navigation
● Video Camera/Recorder
● Automatic Pilot with embedded mission planning capability
● Stormscope WX-1000E (Airborne weather mapping system)
● Laser Range Finder
● WiPak Support – (Wi-Fi integration for Paveway bombs)
● Training and Operation Support System (TOSS)
The prototype made its maiden flight on 2nd of April 2000. In August 2001, the Brazilian Air Force awarded EMBRAER a contract for 52 A-27 Libélula aircraft with options for a further 23, acquired from a contract estimated to be worth around $320 USD millions. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2003. By September 2007, 50 aircraft had entered service. The 75th, and last, aircraft was delivered to the FAB in June 2012.

While the Libélula has not been used in foreign conflicts the aircraft already fired in anger: One of the main missions of the aircraft was and is border patrol under the SIVAM program, and this resulted in several incidents in which weapons were fired.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


On 3 June 2009, two BAF A-27A Libélulas, guided by an EMBRAER E-99, intercepted a Cessna U206G engaged in drug trafficking activities. Inbound from Bolivia, the Cessna was intercepted in the region of Alta Floresta d'Oeste and, after exhausting all procedures, one of the Moscarsos fired a warning shot from its 30mm cannons, after which the aircraft followed the Libélulas to Cacoal airport.
This incident was the first use of powers granted under the Shoot-Down Act, which was enacted in October 2004 in order to legislate for the downing of illegal flights. A total of 176 kg of pure cocaine base paste, enough to produce almost a ton of cocaine, was discovered on board the Cessna; the aircraft's two occupants attempted a ground escape before being arrested by Federal Police in Pimenta Bueno.

On 5 August 2011, Brazil started "Operation Ágata", part of a major "Frontiers Strategic Plan" launched by President Dilma Rousseff in June, with almost 30 continuous days of rigorous military activity in the region of Brazil's border with Colombia. It mobilized 35 aircraft and more than 3,000 military personnel of the Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy and Brazilian Air Force surveillance against drug trafficking, illegal mining and logging, and trafficking of wild animals.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


A-29s of 1°/3º Aviation Group (GAv), Squadron Scorpion, as well as six A-27A's from 4°/3° GAv launched a strike upon an illicit airstrip, deploying eight 230 kg (500 lb) computer-guided Mk 82 bombs to render the airstrip unusable.
Multiple EMB 320 were assigned for night operations, locating remote jungle airstrips used by drug smuggling gangs along the border, and were typically guarded by several E-99 aircraft. The Libélulas also located targets for the A-29 Super Tucanos, allowing them to bomb the airstrips with an extremely high level of accuracy, making use of night-vision systems and computer systems calculating the impact points of munitions.



General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length (w/o pitot): 41 ft 10 in (12.76 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 9 1/2 in (12.45 m)
Height: 13 ft 6 2/3 in (4.14 m)
Wing area: 203.4 ft² (18.9 m²)
Empty weight: 8.920 lb (4.050 kg)
Max. take-off weight: 16.630 lb (7.550 kg)
   
Powerplant
2× Garrett T76-G410/411 turboprops, 1,040 hp (775.5 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 307 mph (267 kn, 495 km/h)
Range: 1.860 mi (1.620 nmi, 3.000 km)
Service ceiling: 30.160 ft (9.150 m)
Rate of climb: 2.966 ft/min (15 m/s)

Armament
2× fixed 30 mm (1.181 in) Bernardini Mk-164 cannons in the wing roots with 200 RPG
9× external hardpoints for an ordnance load of 8.000 lb (3.630 kg), including smart weapons (e. g. Paveway GBUs, AGM-65B,C or D Maverick, AGM-114 Hellfire), iron bombs, cluster bombs, napalm tanks, unguided rocket pods and AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs as well as drop tanks.



The kit and its assembly:
This whif model is a remake of an idea I had/did many years ago from the remains of an Airfix OV-10D Bronco: converting it into a "normal" aircraft. While one could argue that this is not really exciting, I found this project pretty challenging as I wanted to make the result as plausible as possible, not just glue some leftover parts together (what I did years ago). And doing so turned a simple idea into major surgery and sculpting – or, how flickr fellow user Franclab called it, "it makes the Bronco look like the whif and the Libélula the real aircraft".

The basis was a NiB OV-10A Bronco from Academy, a very good kit with a nice cockpit and lots or ordnance. Great value for the money. Design benchmark for what I had in mind was the FMA IA-58 Pucara, as it was designed for the exact same job as my EMB 320 - but details would differ.

The rear of the Bronco's central cabin was cut off and mated with the rear fuselage of a Matchbox Bf 110, which has a similar diameter - but the intersection between the square front of the Bronco and the oval Bf 110 fuselage was tricky (= requiring lots of putty work).
When these basic elements were fitted together, I finally decided to raise the spine. The mated fuselage parts would have had worked, but since the original high wings were missing, the EMB 320 would have had a distinctive and pointless hunchback - actually, with a rotor added, it could have become a helicopter, too!
Well, I went for the big solution, also in order to make the fuselage seam less obvious, and the whole upper rear fuselage was sculpted from 2C and NC putty. In the same process the tail was integrated into the fuselage. As a drawback, this shifted the kit's CG so far back that the lead load in the nose could not keep the front wheel down. Well, it's the price to pay for a better overall look.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The twin fins come from a 1:100 A-10, leftover from a Revell SnapFit kit, while the horizontal stabilizers were taken from the OV-10A, but had to be re-engraved in order to make the flap geometry plausible.

The wings were taken OOB and, relative to the Bronco, placed in a lower position, their original attachment point on top of the fuselage was faired over. The original plan had been to place them completely low, right where the OV-10's wing stubs would be located. But due to the engine nacelles under the wings I finally set them at mid height - otherwise, ground clearance and/or landing gear length had become a big issue - and the thing still looks stalky!
Moving the nacelles into a different (higher) wing position would have been an option, too, but that was IMHO too complicated. Since the EMD 320 would not have storage space behind the cockpit, a wing spar right through the fuselage would not be implausible. As a side effect I had to close the complete belly gap under the Bronco fuselage, again with 2C putty.

The Bronco's tail booms were cut off and pointed end covers added, so that classic engine nacelles which also carry the main landing gear were created. The engine exhausts were relocated towards the nacelle's end, and the propeller attachment modified, so that the propeller could turn freely on a metal axis and the overall look would be changed.

The cockpit tub was taken OOB, but armored seats from an Italeri AH-1 were used (with added headrests), as well as two crew figures, which come IIRC from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante.

A new nose section with a sensor turret was built from scratch. It consists of parts from an AH-64 attack helicopter, mated with some styrene sheets for appropriate length. The shape was sculpted from massive material, and the result looks mean and menacing. The pitots were made from scratch, as well as the radar warning sensors on the hull.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The landing gear was improvised. The front strut actually belongs to a 1:200 Concorde(!) from Revell, the respective front wheels belong to an ESCI Ka-34 helicopter. For the main landing gear I used the struts from the Bronco kit, but the twin wheels are donations from the scrap box: these come from two Italeri Hawker Hawk kits.

The ordnance was puzzled together from the scrap box, too, as well as from Hasegawa Weapon sets. As the aircraft was supposed to have taken part in the real world "Operation Ágata", I decided to add four light Paveway gliding bombs. Two Sidewinders and a pair of M260 rocket launchers (for seven 2.75"/70mm target marking missiles with phosphorous warheads) complete the full load.
The wing pylons come from two Italeri Tornados, those under the fuselage belong to a Matchbox Viggen and an Italeri Kfir.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


As a final note: originally I wanted to call the aircraft "Moscardo" (= Hornet), but when it took shape its overall lines and potential agility made the dragonfly (Libélula in Portuguese) a much more appropriate namesake. So it goes... ^^



Painting and markings:
The reason why this turned out to be a Brazilian aircraft is the fact that I have been wanting to use the current FAB paint scheme for some time - it's basically made up from only two colors, FS 34092 (Dark Green) and FS 36176 ("F-15 Gray", used on USAF F-15Es), paired with low-viz markings. Looks strange at first glance, like a poor man's Europe One/Lizard scheme, but over a typical rain forest scenery, low altitude and with hazy clouds around it is VERY effective, check the beauty pics which are based on BAF press releases. And it simply looks cool.

The pattern is based on current BAF F-5E fighters, the markings come from an FCM decal sheet and actually belong to a BAF Mirage 2000. 4º/3º GAv of the Brazilian Air Force is fictional, though, and some warning stencils were taken from the Academy kit.

The cockpit interior was painted in Dark Gull Gray (Humbrol 140), the landing gear wells in a yellow zinc chromate primer (Humbrol 225, Mid Stone) while the landing gear struts remained blank Aluminum, The outer wheel disks are white, while the inside is red - a detail I incorporated from some USN aircraft.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Painting was not spectacular - since the cockpit has a lot of glass to offer, I painted the windscreen with translucent light blue, and the observer on the rear seat received a similar sun blocker in deep blue. Translucent paint (yellow and black) was also used on the optical sensors at the nose turret as well as for position lights, all on a silver base.

The model was only slightly weathered thorough a black ink wash and some dry-brushing with Humbrol 140 and Testors 2076 (RLM 62) in order to emphasize panels - some panel lines were also painted onto the fuselage with thinned black ink, as the "new" rear body is devoid of any detail and difficult to engrave.


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 EMBRAER EMB 320 A-27A ''Libélula", aircraft '7984' of 4º/3º GAv, Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB), Porto Velho Air Force Base/BAPV; during 'Operation Ágata', summer 2011 (Whif/Kit-bashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Mr.Creak]

That is nice.
And believable.
Really looks the part

[Librarian]

OOOOOOOH!!!! Gorgeous. Right up my alley at present. WELL DONE .

[Dizzyfugu]

Thanks a lot! 

[NARSES2]

That's superb 

[Logan Hartke]

That's gorgeous, Dizzy!  A glance tells me what most of the parts come from, but they still like very practical, purposeful, and as though they were meant to go together.

Cheers,

Logan

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you both, too. In fact, 50% come from a Bronco, the parts were just not glued together the way they were supposed to be. 20% is Bf 110 and A-10, the rest is more or less massive putty...   Reminds a bit of a He 219, but the end product is pretty convincing.

Most amazing thing to me is how good the Brazilian paint scheme works in its natural surroundings?

[nighthunter]

Agreed, Dizzy, well done, I would have gone with an A-10 fuselage, but then again, maybe not. You work as always is spectacular.

[Dizzyfugu]

OMG, thanks a lot (encore) for the Whiffies' nomination! 

[MichelC]

Fantastic work! 

Great pics of the model 'in action' too!

M

[Ed S]

Well done kitbash.  Cocept, construction and finish are all excellent.

Ed

[Captain Canada]

Nice ! Great job and awesome photography ! Looks like a B-25 in some shots too

[Thorvic]

Superb build and a brilliant idea, a Brazilian counterpart to the puccara, and you right the scheme does work rather well 

[utahbob]

Wow! Great work! I am in the process of doing something similar based on this: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,27999.msg512665.html#msg512665
I will be posting images soon.

[Hotte]

Super!
Great Job   

Hotte