M.D.452 IIA

M.D.452 IIA

M.D.450B Barougan

M.D.452 IIC

M.D.452 IIA

M.D.450B Barougan

M.D.452 IIC

France

V Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.0	8.0	8.3

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:105 000

Purchase:300 000

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This page is about the French jet fighter M.D.452 IIA. For the other version, see M.D.452 IIC.

Description

The M.D.452 Mystere IIA is a rank V French jet fighter with a battle rating of 8.0 (AB/RB) and 8.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France".

General info

Flight Performance

The M.D.452 IIA is something of a jack of all trades, while less potent in nearly every aspect than the MD.452 IIC. Its flight performances are balanced, if a bit slow in accelerations. The roll rate is excellent at medium to high speeds (550 - 900 km/h), giving the aircraft many options for evasive manoeuvres, and although energy-bleeding, the turn rate is good against most enemies. This version carries a cluster of four 20 mm M50 canons, which fare moderately at this battle rating.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	992	962	13000	26.5	27.0	30.4	28.9	800
Upgraded	1,040	1,030		23.8	25.0	44.3	37.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1108	450	650	650	450	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 620	< 700	< 740	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Empty mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Hispano-Suiza Tay Mk.250		1	5,540 kg		230 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		8m fuel	20m fuel	28m fuel
950 kg	Centrifugal-flow turbojet		5,955 kg	6,555 kg	6,955 kg	10,500 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	8m fuel	20m fuel	28m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	2,856 kgf	N/A	0.48	0.44	0.41	0.27
Optimal	2,856 kgf (0 km/h)	N/A	0.48	0.44	0.41	0.27

Survivability and armour

• 40 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The M.D.452 IIA is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm M50 cannons, chin-mounted (125 rpg = 500 total)

The four machine guns are clustered on the underside of the fuselage, directly below the pilot. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that all guns will fire together until empty.

Like all French aircraft in all battle rating, the default ammunition belt is extremely underwhelming, with "practice rounds" representing 25% of the belt composition. As such, the research of the newer sets of ammo belts should be prioritized. Once upgraded, the M.D.452 IIA will still struggle to destroy an enemy plane in a single pass, but each hitting burst is decisive as the rounds are potent enough to severely damage the adversaries' engine/controls/wing surface.

Usage in battles

The M.D.452 IIA is generally more manoeuvrable than most other contemporary aircraft it faces, the only ones you would have a tough time turning with at this battle rating would be any of the Sabres. Since its roll rate is comparable to the Sabre's once the "New Boosters" modification is installed, the option of turnfighting becomes available, although speed will be bled at a relatively high rate. Still, like the predecessors of the Mystère II, boom & zooming should remain the first choice in engagements; but unlike the MD.452 IIC, this aircraft's engine is slightly less powerful, and one or two minutes of sideclimb might be necessary to remain in control of the engagement situation. Commands stiffening doesn't appear under around 1,000-1,050 km/h, and subtle use of airbrakes will be necessary to ensure control during the whole descent.

Overall, the M.D.452 IIA should be considered as a second line fighter, and fares better when paired with support. Another secondary role can be as a harasser, BnZing many different enemies, to damage them, and go around later for another decisive pass, or even letting allies finish off the disabled foes.

It could be argued that the MD.452 IIA has no advantage over its newer version, the MD.452 IIC, winch seats at the same rank and the same battle rating.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Combined	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair			Offensive 20 mm
II	New boosters	Compressor	Airframe
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 20 mm cannons
IV	G-suit		Cover

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good turn rate between 550 km/h and 900 km/h
• Decent climb rate
• Strong and effective flaps
• Nose-mounted 20mm guns
• Good ammo choices (besides "Default" one)
• Quite nice when downtiered in battles
• Guns equipped with belts other than the stock option can quickly down or critically damage the opponent
• With all modifications, can deal with MiG-15 and Sabres, but these interceptors are still superior
• Easy to fly and land with a ripped wingtip or even whole wing

Cons:

• "Default" ammunition belt is underperforming for the rank
• Stock performance is lacking
• Slow compared to other contemporary aircraft
• Poor horizontal energy retention compared to its predecessors
• Fragile; a few hits of enemy fire will make controlling the aircraft more difficult
• 500 bullets so some practise in needed
• Nearly no armour, pilot knockouts are really common
• 20mm guns can spark but often it is not big problem and sometimes even advantage

History

A preserved M.D.452 Mystere.

The M.D.452 Mystere was a swept-wing air superiority fighter developed by Dassault Aviation, derived from the M.D.450 Ouragan. The aircraft combined the fuselage of the Ouragan with a new swept-wing, enabling it to reach much faster speeds than its predecessor. In 1951, the Mystere IIA became the first French-designed plane to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive. Later on, the aircraft would enter service with the French Air force, and serve until 1957, when it was relegated to training duties.

Design and Development

The M.D.452 Mystere was originally designed as an advanced variant of the preceding M.D. 450 Ouragan, with a new wing section and engine. In 1950, Marcel Dassault, the head of the Dassault aviation firm, signed a contract to produce an M.D.450 Ouragan with a new thinner wing section. The aircraft had a wing swept back at 30 degrees compared to the Ouragan's 14 degrees, and was powered by a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Nene. During tests, the aircraft showed significantly better climb rate and top speed, being capable of reaching transonic speeds. After four prototypes, the M.D.452 IIA was developed, carrying four 20 mm Hispano cannons and the Rolls-Royce Tay engine. On October 28th 1951, a Mystere IIA became the first French aircraft to break the sound barrier, in a controlled dive.

However, the M.D.452 IIA failed to enter service, as it was rapidly replaced by the M.D.452 IIB and IIC. The IIB and IIC retained the wing and fuselage of the IIA, while featuring a new intake design and a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons in place of the IIA's four Hispanos. The new IIC was re-engined with a SNECMA Atar turbojet, capable of producing 25 kN of thrust. The M.D.452 IIC would later go on to enter service, serving between 1954 and 1963.

Media

La-200 vs M.D.452 IIA - War Thunder Official Channel

The Shooting Range #97 - Pages of History section at 06:04 discusses the Dassault Mystère II.

See also

Related development

• Dassault Mystere IIC
• Dassault Super Mystere

Aircraft of a similar configuration, role or era

• F-86F-25
• MiG-15
• G.91 R/3