1/48 Dassault Super Etendard / Super Etendard Modernise

This is a plastic model kit, which comes unassembled and unpainted. So glue, model paints and other basic modelling tools are additionally required.

The Super Etendard is an interesting aircraft with its fundamental design being an advanced development of the original Etendard IVM naval aircraft.

The Super Etendard is a single engined, mid wing aircraft of all metal structure. Both the wings and tailplane are swept, with the folding main wings having a sweep back of about 45 degrees. The main weapon of the Super Etendard was the French anti-shipping missile, the Aerospatiale AM-39 Exocet.

The Super Etendard first flew in October 1974 and entered French service in June 1978. French Super Etendards have served in several conflicts such as the Kosovo War, the War in Afghanistan and the military intervention in Libya.

The Super Etendard was also operated by Argentina and Iraq, who both deployed the aircraft during wartime.The aircraft was used by Iraq to attack oil tankers and merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war. Argentina used the Super Etendard and the Exocet missile during the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War.

The Super Etendard Modernise (SEM) flew strike missions in Operation Enduring Freedom.Mission Heracles saw the deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its Super Etendards in Afghanistan.

Markings:
There are 5 schemes provided by Kinetic for this kit with the decals printed by Cartograf and the decals designed by Crossdelta Decals.

The markings supplied are as follows:
- Super Etendard, Aeronavale (French Naval Aviation) Flotille 11, 14 and 17 in the 1980s. This aircraft is finished in Dark Sea Grey CSI CREOS 331 upper surface and Satin White CSI CREOS 316 lower surfaces.

- Super Etendard Modernise, Aeronavale (French Naval Aviation) Flotille 11 and 17 deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. This aircraft is finished in overall Grey CSI CREOS 307/FS36320.

- Super Etendard Modernise, Aeronavale (French Naval Aviation) Flotille 11 and 17 deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. These aircraft are finished in overall camouflage of Grey CSI CREOS 305/FS36118 and Grey CSI CREOS 337/FS35237.

- Super Etendard, Comando de Aviacion (Argentine Naval Aviation) in the 1980s. This aircraft is finished in Dark Sea Grey CSI CREOS 331 upper surface and Satin White CSI CREOS 316 lower surfaces. A The elevators, rudder and fin top was painted in large White CSI CREOS 316 and Sky Blue CSI CREOS C34.

- Super Etendard of the Iraqi Air Force 1983-1985. This aircraft is finished in Dark Sea Grey CSI CREOS 331 upper surface and Satin White CSI CREOS 316 lower surfaces.