Kne-Mida (In Scale) – IPMS Israel Magazine No. 39, 8/2004

Vulcan anti-aircraft-artillery in IAF service – by Alon Koren & Ilan Warshai   

About 30 Vulcans entered IDF service in 1974 following the Yom-Kippur war where mobilized AA systems proved efficient against low altitude targets by all sides of the conflict. As named by the IAF, the "Hovet" was at first identical in configuration to the American Vulcan, carrying floatation devices and a ranging radar. Soon, the floatation devices were removed, and shortly after, external equipment stores and elongated exhaust typical of IDF M-113s were installed. In this configuration it served during operation "Peace to the Galilee". As the operation went ahead the Vulcans also provided fire support to ground forces, taking advantage of their high firing rate and precision, although they also had a victory over a single Mig-21. During the 90's more Vulcans were purchased and existing systems were upgraded to include new radars and fire control computers
.
During the mid 90's, after realizing the "Hovet" systems were outdated, the IAF integrated them with "Stinger" AA missiles to produce "Mahbet" (racquet) which includes the original M113, the 20mm M61 gun and a launcher of 4 "Stingers".

Available kits
In 1:35 there are the excellent kits by Academy (1360) and Italeri (269). Both represent the American configuration. In 1:72 there is the out of production Esci kit and in 1:285 the GHQ model.
Conversions
Eduard produces internal and external detailing sets for Italeri (35103 and 35104 respectively). The first is adequate while the second is disappointing. Another set (35435) provides external details for the Academy kit and is highly recommended.
AEF Designs produces the following sets:
KI-50: Internal details to the Academy kit which can be used also on the Italeri kit
KI-54: Conversion kit for the "Mahbet"
KI-53: A resin kit which represents the sand-bag arrangement typical of MAhbets from operation "Homat Magen" (defense wall) of 2002
KI-59: External equipment stores and the elongated exhaust
All AEF Designs are highly recommended and are available from www.aefdesigns.com
Hobby-Fan produces internal detail set (036) which is quite expensive but recommended due to its high quality.
Further reading:
Verlinden's Warmachins no. 9 which also provides information about anti-tank M-109 and the chaparral.
Photo captions:
Page 4: Above: Early configuration "Hovet". Note the different colored road wheels and the sloppy painted tactic markings.
Below left: Mid configuration "Hovet" without the floatation devices and with the side equipment stores.
Below right: An early "Hovet" with floats on both sides and at the front.
Page 5: Above left: Turret of "Mahbet". Note the sights and the thermal night vision device on the left.
Above right: Left view of the turret. Turrets have their own serial no. which is not identical to the hull serial no.
Below: A "Hovet" with 7.62mm MAG instead of the 20mm M61. Also note the elongated exhaust and the folded camouflage net at the side of the hull.
Page 6: Above: "Mahbet". Note the large equipment store on the right.
Below: Forward view of a "Hovet" turret. Note the radar and the sights array.

Israeli AFV colors – by Yoav Efrati                                                                        

The color used to paint Israeli AFV's is manufactured according the German RAL standard and matches RAL 7006 "Beigegrau". The colored can be mixed from Testors Model Master paints (6*FS 30277+ 3*FS 30118 + 1*FS36118) or from Humbrol paints (3*187 + 3*29 + 1*125). Note variations of the color which usually stem from non-standard application, weathering, etc.

Meteor Vs. Vampire: First jet air combat in the middle east – by Yoav Efrati

During the early 50's UK supplied some Middle East countries, including Israel, with jet fighters. The first Israeli jet fighter squadron was established June 1953 in the northern airbase of Ramat David, operating 3 subtypes of the Gloster Meteor (T.7, F.8 & FR.9) by May 1955. Throughout the summer of 1955, Egyptian Vampires would intrude Israeli air territory from bases in Sinai, reaching as far as Hazor and Tel Nof. Israeli plans of intercepting the Vampires relied on a pair of Meteors from the first jet squadron, patrolling the southern region of Israel. First interception occurred 29th August 1955, when pilot Mordechai Lavon hit one of four Vampires. The Vampire managed to fly back across the border and land in El Arish. A second chance came in the 1st of September, 7 a.m., when a pair of Meteors flown by Aharon Yoeli and Yehoash Zidon intercepted a pair of Egyptian Vampires (nos. 1569 and 1567). Both were shot down by Yoeli who provided an account of the combat in the book "G suit" (published by the Ministry of Defence, Israel, 1987).
Building the Meteor:
Yoeli's FR.9 can be built using Aeroclub's F.8 (ABK039) and the out of production FR.9 nose conversion set, also by Aeroclub. Enlarged intakes and wing tanks were taken from Matchbox's NF.11/12/14 kit. The Meteor should be painted natural metal. 1/72 Decals are available from Isradecal (IAF-26).

Building the Vampire:
The Vampire can be built from the good Revell kit (4163). The Vampire was painted natural metal as well. A mixture of decals came from the kit's decal sheet (very poor quality!); from Xtradecal XPS-1 for the black stripes; from Hi Decal Mig-15 Fagot B decal sheet, no. 72-022, for the national insigna (a bit translucent); from Hi Quality Decals (HQD) 72001 and Super Scale 74-164 for the Arab letters and numbers.

References:
1. IAF magazine no.33 (sep.-oct. 1955).
2. Kne Mida no.27.
3. Warpaint series nos.27 and 22 for the Vampire and Meteor respectively.
4. Wings over Suez, by Brian Cull.
5. G suit (see text).
6. The age of jet, by Shlomo Aloni.
7. "Biaf" no.35.
8. Scale Aircraft Modeling, May 2004.

AH-1 Cobra in IAF service – by Ilan Warshai                                                  

The Cobra ("Zefa" or viper in Hebrew) is perhaps the most intensively used operational aircraft in IAF service since its absorption to the IAF in 1975, engaging into fire for the first time in 1979 when attacking a terrorists' base in Lebanon. The Zefa's glory came from its service in operation "peace to the Galilee" in 1982, where it attacked terrorists' base and Syrian AFV's. Later it took part in the 1996 and 2000 conflicts with the Palestinians, the later conflict continues today.

Cobra's single engine versions:
The Cobra's prototype, the Bell-209, had its maiden flight in 1965 and entered service in 1967 as the AH-1G. In 1973-75 Bell started manufacturing the TOW-carrying AH-1Q in response to the demand for a platform which could be used against mass Soviet armored columns. Following the conversion of 92 AH-1Gs it turned out that the weak 1400hp engine could not compensate for the extra payload and drag and a new, 1800hp version, the AH-1S, was developed. At first, all 92 AH-1Q's plus 198 AH-1G's were converted to the AH-1S MOD standard (AH-1S). Later on, "stage 1", a series of 100 aircrafts equipped with flat-plate canopy and maintaining the 7.62mm minigun turret was produced and named AH-1S PROD (AH-1P). "Stage 2" series had 98 newly made Cobras with a turret carrying a 20mm gun and was named AH-1S ECAS/up-gun (AH-1E). The "stage 3" series was named AH-1S modernized (AH-1F) and had the all the present day familiar add-ons: the thickened exhaust, the canopy side air data sensor, etc. In 1986 all types of the single-engine Cobra were re-designated (see above, all new designations are underlined, in parentheses).

Zefas in IAF service
Following the Yom-Kippur war (1973) the IAF was searching for a platform capable of performing in conditions proved problematic for jet fighters: low altitude, night missions against mobile targets in SAM infested areas. In 1975, a newly formed test unit was supplied with 6 used AH-1Gs which received numbers in the range 109-130 (for modeling this subtype, see Kne-Mida 30). The AH-1Gs proved inadequate due to their short range weapons and it was decided to redefine the role of the Zefa to destruction of enemy armor. In May 1977 the last AH-1G left Israel and in December the first attack helicopter squadron ("the southern Cobra squadron") was established, receiving the test unit's number and logo. In June 1978 it was equipped with the rounded canopy AH-1Ss which were numbered 309-330 and named "Zefa A", and with AH-1Es which were numbered 332-339 and named "Zefa B". (For mdeling Zefa A, see Kne-Mida 24). The squadron also operated Bell-206 Rangers, and later on MD-500 Defenders along with the Zefas. In 1983 new AH-1Fs entered service in 2 series: Zefa C (nos. 350-397) and Zefa D (nos. 405-483). Choppers from both series are externally identical. Along with the Zefa C came an upgrade to Zefas A and B which included new rotor blades and thickened exhaust. Furthermore, Zefas A received the prefix "1" to their nos. while Zefas B received the prefix "2". In July 1985 the new attack helicopters squadron ("the northern Cobra squadron") absorbed the newest Zefa Ds, and as "compensation", all old Zefa As plus some Zefa Cs. More AH-1F entered service to both squadrons around 1990 as the Zefa E and received nos. 501-531. In mid 1996 14 AH-1Es from US ARMY surplus entered service, designated Zefa F and numbered 405-483. Most of the Zefa Fs were transferred to the IAF flight school while some entered service in either of the Cobra squadrons. One of the old Zefa A, no. 115 is now in the IAF museum. In the years following the war in Lebanon (1986-present) the IAF lost at least 4 Cobras. One of them, Zefa C, no. 389, was restored to become a Zefa D, no. 489.

Cobras in RJAF service
In the mid 80s the Jordanians were supplied with 24 AH-1Fs. They entered service in two new squadrons (10 and 12). Manufacturer's nos. are 22601-22624 and RJAF nos. are 1001-1012 and 1201-1212 (squadrons 10 and 12, respectively). According internet resources 3 Cobras were lost during service. These Cobras are similar to their Israeli counterparts (Zefas C, D and E), but differ mainly in respect to antenna positioning, being identical in that respect to US ARMY Cobras. It also seems they lack a radar warning system and a sector sensor array.

External ordnance
The first AH-1G from 1975 had a chin turret with two stations, each capable of carrying a 7.62mm M21 minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher. The wings had four stations that could carry 2.75" rocket launchers (7 or 19 rocket tubes), a 7.62mm minigun pod or a revolving 20mm six-barrel M35 gun. The gun was carried in station no. 2 (left internal) and had its munitions drums carried on both sides of the helicopter above the skids (for more information see Kne-Mida 30). The main weapon of Zefas A and B bought in 1978 was the TOW missile. Each Zefa can carry up to eight TOWs on stations 1 and 4 (four on each), but due to weight considerations, IAF Zefas usually carry only four. From pictures it seems there are two types of launchers: one with a wide white stripe and one with two stripes, yellow and brown (FS30117). The difference between the two is not clear. The IAF used the 19-tube rocket launcher up until 1982 but switched to the lighter, 7-tube lighting rocket launcher since. The IAF's Zefa's carried two such launchers, but in 1991 it was decided that only one launcher will be carried due to weight consideration. Since 1994 Israeli Zefas carry no rocket launchers due to installation of night vision systems. Zefa As had the old chin turret which soon had been proven problematic due to inferior fire rate, fire power and accuracy, and was abandoned altogether prior to the Lebanon war. In Zefa As the original turret was kept but carried no weapons and was filled with balance weights. All other Zefas (B to F) has the standard 20mm M197 gun. In an ad by RAFAEL, an Israeli Zefa is seen launching a third generation "Spike" ASM. It is not known whether it is a standard addition to Israeli Zefas.

Colors and markings
The AH-1Gs were supplied with the standard US ARMY olive drab (FS34087, HUM 155).
All other Zefas were painted brown (approx. FS30140, REV 381) and were later repainted in a less reddish hue (3 parts HUM 110 with 1 part HUM 119).
Zefa Fs supplied wearing dark green FS34031 (Xtracolor X111 or X153). Some of the Fs which serve in the Cobra squadrons were repainted the standard brown.
Zefa F no.660 temporarily was painted sand (FS33531, see p.21).
The cockpits of AH-1Gs and Zefa As is grey (FS36321, close to HUM 140). All other Zefas have black cockpits. Seat cushions are usually dark green and/or black while some are olive.
Note the absence of the pilots' helmet mounted sight attachments from the left side of all Cobra plastic scale models. These should be installed on all TOW carrying Cobras and are easily scratch built from styrene. Also note that Zefas A, B or F had no co-pilot's HUDs.
AH-1Gs had olive drab rotor (HUM 155) blades with yellow tips. All other Zefas which were purchased straight from the manufacturer had yellow tipped brown (FS30140) rotor blades. Along with the Zefa Cs the IAF bought sharp edged rotor blades from Kaman which had no yellow tips. By the end of the 80's blades received wide orange (approx. HUM 19) tips. Zefa Fs had American dark green rotor blades which later were replaced by the brown Israeli blades.
All Zefas has standard manufacturer's stencils. Zefas B and F also included the warning triangles below the canopies. In 1989, two yellow arrows with the word "חילוץ " ("hilutz", rescue in Hebrew) were added on each ammunition bay access door, and since 1994 when Zefas from the "first Cobras squadron" received the snake logo on the hull, arrows' position was standardized to turn forward. AH-1Gs had the standard 60cm IAF blue on white insignia and black numbers on both side of the tail and smaller numbers on the front of the rotor head fairing. In 1975 the new logo for the test unit was applied to the AH-1Gs' tail. When Zefas A and B arrived they had a smaller, 20cm, IAF insignia, and numbers on the front of the rotor head fairing, now similar in size to their tail counterparts. In 1980-83 Zefas from the "Southern Cobras squadron" had no squadron logo and in 1983 the new logo was applied (see colored profiles for its evolution).
After the war in Lebanon the new yellow V was added to the Zefas, the IAF insignia was reduced further in its size and in 1984 became light blue on grey. When Zefa Cs arrived it was no longer possible to apply numbers on the front of the rotor head fairing and they moved to the front of the windshield.
Zefas F which retain the original dark color carry white numbers.
Zefas of the "Southern Cobras squadron" has a big snake logo on the hull colored sand (FS33531). First smaller snake "prototype" appeared on Zefa 395, a second, improved prototype was applied to Zefa 359, and the first Zefa to carry the standard snake logo was Zefa 361. All of the squadron's Zefa had the logo by the 1994 IAF day.
In 2002 a different snake logo, colored black-green (FS34031), designed by our own Ra'anan Weiss, was applied to Zefas of the "northern" squadron.
RJAF Cobras has four color scheme: sand (FS30400), brown (FS30140), green (FS34097) and dark green (FS34096). They have standard stencils and black numbers on both sides of the tail. No squadron logo is known to be applied to RJAF Cobras. Decals for Jordanian Cobra 1210 are available in 1:48 from Two Bobs (48-005).

Table 1: characteristics of single engine Cobras

Modeling late Zefas – by Ofer Zidon                                                                    

The article deals with modeling late Zefas: Zefas B and F (=AH-1E) and Zefas C, D and E (=AH-1F). These models share the flat-plate canopy and 20mm gun. They differ mainly in respect to engine, engine housing and rotor blades. Two kits were used:

1. Monogram's "AH-1S Cobra helicopter", no. 5444
2. Fugimi's "AH-1S Cobra step III", no. 31106

Monogram's kit is nice and its thickened exhaust enables the modeler to represent Zefas D and E. Fugimi's Cobra comes with 2 types of engine housings and two types of rotor blades which actually make it possible to model every flat-plate canopy Zefa in IAF service. It also includes the up-facing exhaust.
Building
generally, construction of Monogram's kit is straight forward. Look for references when placing the various aerials. When building the Fugimi kit, one have to decide which type of Zefa is desired. If a type with the late engine is desired, go ahead with construction as suggested by the instructions. If you decide to represent a model with the earlier engine, use the earlier engine housing which exists on the parts tree, but absents from the instructions (see diagram on p.28). You will have to scratch build late model additions such as various aerials, cable cutters, chaff/flare cassettes, etc.
Painting and markings
refer to the article for scheme details. The author used "yellow zink chromate" for the inner side of the access panels. Isradecal makes excellent decals for Israeli Zefas: sheets IAF-2, IAF-10, IAF-23.

The great heli-hunt – by Shlomo Aloni                                                                  

The Israeli war strategy in fall 1973 relied on the assumption that preparations to war by the enemy will be detected soon enough to give time for mobilization of reserve unit to the front. The above concept did not escape the minds of the Egyptians who planned to land commando forces from helicopters to seize major routs in Sinai which lead from the rear to the front, lining Suez Canal. By the end of the first day of "Yom Kippur war" (10.1973), Israeli Phantoms (Kurnas) shot down 14 Egyptian Mi-8s, with commando troops on board. Shooting down these commando-loaded "Mils" prevented what might have been a heavier life toll on Israeli troops or even alteration of the results of the war.

Egyptian Mi-8 and Mi-17
After the six-day war (6.1967) the Egyptian air force (EAF) purchased Mi-8s. Following the purchase the Egyptian army turned its efforts to build airborne units, and, so, by October 1973 it had 2-3 paratroopers' brigades, 6-7 commando battalions and about 150 helicopters (most of them, Mi-8s). After the war, when about 20 Mi-8s were lost to Israeli fire the EAF begun to purchase western helicopters but still maintained it's Mi-8s and even updated them with new sand filters, new aerials, etc. In 1997 new Mi-17s were supplied. The major visible differences from the Mi-8s are left mounted tail rotor and differences in the transmission housing. According to data published in Israel, in 2000, the Egyptians had 4 Mi-8 squadrons.

Painting, markings and installations
Egyptian Mi-8s and 17s are painted mustard-sand (roughly between HUM 94 and 103) on the hull and sky blue on the undersurface. The 1974 picture of a camouflaged Mi-8 probably represents a specially painted or a foreign Mil. The EAF insignia is applied adjacent to the removable shell cargo doors, while the Egyptian flag appears on both sides of the tail boom. The four-digit numbers, in Arabic only, appear in front of the flag and in smaller version under the pilots' side windows. Rotor blades are grey with red-white-red tips. In 1994 two Mi-8s and two Mi-17s were handed to the Palestinian authority. They were painted white with a dark green stripe along the passengers' windows and marked SU-YAA/YAB (Mi-8) and SU-YAF/YAG (Mi-17).

New products review – by Avshi Sagi, Ilan Warshai and Ofer Zidon                   

The following new products are reviewed:

Photos from recent IPMS Israel shows                       
                                          

What a pair of scissors, paper, glue and knife can do – by Igal Pat'el                  

Igal reviews the history and present of paper modeling in Israel and abroad.