Nord 1402 Gerfaut I by Fonderie Miniature

1/72 scale
Kit No. 7202
Cost: $60.00+ (aftermarket, out of production)
Decals: One version
Comments: Engraved panel lines, white metal and resin detail parts, photo etch details, two vacuform canopies

History

The Nord 1402A Gerfaut has the distinction of being the first plane in Europe to break the sound barrier, exceeding Mach I in level flight without the use of an afterburner on August 3, 1954. It flew for the first time on January 15th of that year.  It was a single-seat, single-engined monoplane with thin delta wings and swept vertical tail surfaces and a small high-set delta tailplane. The fuselage was a cylindrical monocoque structure with a nose intake, with the cockpit mounted above it, giving the aircraft its characteristic hump-backed look. It had a retractable tricycle landing gear and was originally powered by an internal 2800 kg (6,173 lb. ) thrust ATAR 101C turbojet.

The Nord 1402 Gerfaut series had its origin in a study into delta and swept wing designs sponsored by the French government. To provide data for these studies, Arsenal de l’Aéronautique (SFECMAS’s nationalized predecessor) designed and built two supersonic gliders; the Arsenal 1301 and Arsenal 2301 with delta and swept surfaces respectively. The name “Gerfaut” is a bit ironic, given the diminutive dimensions of the aircraft, for it translates to gyrfalcon, which is the largest falcon in the world.

NOTE: Arsenal de l’Aéronautique (commonly named Arsenal) was a national military aircraft manufacturer established by the French Government in 1936 at Villacoublay. In the years before World War II, it developed a range of technically advanced fighter aircraft, including the VG 33/39, but none were manufactured in sufficient quantities to be of any use against the German invasion. Following the war, Arsenal was relocated to Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, where it was privatised as SFECMAS (la Société Française d’Etude et de Constructions de Matériel Aéronautiques Spéciaux) in 1952. In 1955 SFECMAS joined SNCAN to create Nord Aviation.

The 1402 was one of a number of designs conceived by SFECMAS (later Nord), and the only one for which development was pursued to the point of building a flying research aircraft, although it was heavily revised and its initial ramjet design was discarded. Chief Designer Jean Galtier decided to minimize the development risk by keeping the 24-kilonewton (5,400 lbf) SNECMA Atar 101C turbojet installation as simple as possible. He opted for a straight-through air duct to keep the air entering the engine as calm as possible and positioned the single-seat cockpit above the duct, giving the aircraft its characteristic hump-backed look. The air intake occupied the entire nose of the monocoque fuselage that was fitted with tricycle landing gear. The aircraft had thin delta wings and swept vertical tail surfaces with a small delta-shaped all-moving cruciform tail.

After its first flight it was converted into the 1402B Gerfaut 1B configuration and made a second maiden flight on December 17, 1954. Early in 1955 it reached a speed of Mach 1.2 at 15,240 m (50,000 ft). On October 26, Mach 1.3 was attained in a steep dive from an altitude of 15,240 meters. In May 1956, it was used for captive-carry tests of the Nord AA.20 air-to-air missile. Afterwards, the Gerfaut 1B was relegated to serving as a chase plane for the Nord 1500 Griffon, making its last flight on July 2, 1959.

The Kit

THe Nord 1402 Gerfaut I was a multi-media, limited production kit issued by Fonderie Miniatures in 1999. It is injection molded in grey plastic and includes a photo etch fret providing details for the ejection seat, landing gear, aileron actuators, and cockpit instrumentation, both main and side panels. The kit bears engraved panel lines, but many of them, particularly on the fuselage, look a bit light, and could use some reinforcing prior to any painting. The injection molded parts bear a small amount of flash that can easily be cleaned up.

Being a limited run kit, it is devoid of any locator pins, with the lone exception of the wings, so the fit will in part be in the hands of the individual modeler. Great care will have to be taken with the attachment of the wings, which have rather shallow locator pins that are not crisply molded. The same is true of the vacuform canopy, which will require careful trimming and sanding.

SFECMAS Nord 1402 Gerfaut in flight

Resin parts are provided for the cockpit tub, jet exhaust cone, and nose gear wheel. White metal parts are included for the seat back of the ejection seat, control yoke, landing gear, and nose gear door. A small decal sheet is provided and includes national markings, a single stencil, and a stylized Gerfaut logo. Fonderie Miniatures have thoughtfully provided a vacuform canopy along with a spare. Some scratchbuilding skill will be necessary, since the instructions call for the use of rather fine tubing and wire for the nose and tail fin antennae, as those parts are not provided in the kit.

Conclusion

This is an interesting kit of an experimental 1950’s era aircraft that helped demonstrate the feasibility of the delta wing design and helped to push the envelope of aircraft performance in Europe. It will require patience, particularly a need to check the fit of the wings and canopy. Highly recommended for its historical interest.

References

test-planes.fandom.com/wiki/Nord_1402_Gerfaut_series
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nord_Gerfaut#Operational_history