I do not think that the compact package and sturdy frame is not the “only” thing that draws the A-4. Really what other options were there/are there for a carrier capable aircraft for Brazil? At the time the A-4’s were purchaced what other carrier capable fighters/attack aircraft were really open to export (political restrictions/offsets) , were capable of operating from the ex-Foch and were affordable? Contenders were likely A-4’s from various sources, retired A-7’s (available from US? obsolete?), Rafale (too expensive), Super Entendard (out of production, and perhaps France not ready to sell) F-18A-D (available?, too expensive?) F-18E/F (too expensive, too big for Brazils carriers? avialable? technoogy transfer restrictions?), F-8’s (obsolete), MiG-29k (unproven at the time, support concerns, not catapult capable then), Sea Grippen (concpet only at the time), Sea Typhoon (concpet only).

Do not mean to degrade the A-4 or Brazil by anything by this, I just think the A-4 was/is the only affordable choice for Brazil at the time, and likely for the near future. It has indeed outlived anyones expectations.

The issue is the stroke length and run out distance for the elderly catapult and arrestor gear fitted to the Sao Paulo, the Americans actually had retired A-6E and A-7E sitting at AMARG with plenty of cat and trap cycles left on them. The A-7E is superior to the vanilla A-4 in all respects but the launch and and landing characteristics of that type and A-6E are unsafe or marginal at best for the Sao Paulo. The same again with the S-3, Greyhound and Hawkeye. Apparently the the F/A-18 Hornet can operate off her as can the Rafale but with a compromised load.

The only choice was the A-4 or the Super Etendard realistically. With the Kuwaiti having a number of fairly late build A-4 with zero cat and trap cycles on them and relatively low hours in dry conditions it was a perfect match.

Editor of Air International David Willis must be feeling irritated, my new edition has dropped through the door (January 2014 – can we get out of 2013 first guys*) and when I flicked to page six there is a small article entitled:

Brazil Looks at Fighting Falcon

The article does lots of analysis around Brazil doing a purchase of used F-16.

*At least not as bad as some PC magazines that run two months ahead! I was always slightly irritated when I subscribed to a couple of PC magazines and would get the February edition in December.

The KC-137 were retired from service in early October. The KC-767 order seems to be on hold, no contract has been signed yet. Right now the FAB only has 2 KC-130H to refuel their fighters.

Thanks, didn’t know that.

For a fixed probe installation there probably isn’t much in it between a pipe sticking out and a more sleek version when it comes to parasitic drag. I remember a car designer telling me once that however aerodynamic they make wing mirrors they still cause pretty much the same parasitic drag then a flat mirror sticking out the side.

https://twitter.com/portalfab/status/413402387651756032/photo/1

Let’s be honest, JSR’s, uh, interesting…views on things aside, as far as aviation is concerned, yeah, the Czechs are 2nd tier at best, today.
In 10 years we will still be hearing of the L-159s export attempts, and little else.

Oh I agree, Aero Vodochody are never going to be a Boeing or Airbus but they are a major supplier to those companies. They are much like the Canadians specialising in system supplies. In the end the L159 was caught up in a saturated market dominated by the Hawk, the ALCA was way too niche and as people rightly pointed out it was rather hand strung in certain contests by ITAR. In respect of Iraq ITAR was not the issue just value for money, the Iraqis appear to be prepared to play hardball when it comes to procurement.

so It is 2nd tier manufacturer and even that needs external supply chain for finished product. most of indigenous products are pre cold war era. so how it can be classified modern industrialized. Industrialzed does not mean assembly.

Ok fine

All manufacturers in Russia are 2nd tier. Russia is not a modern industrialised nation. Russian manufacturers need external supply chains for external products. Most Russian products are pre cold war era. How can Russia be classified as modern industrialised nation. Products are only assembled in Russia.

Now what I have stated above is not entirely true and I am in no doubt that you will spend much time and effort explaining why it is not so. Nevertheless it is exactly what you are saying about the Czech republic and all industry in that country. I am in no doubt that you find any suggestion that Russia is not some form of economic and technological titan highly irritating. Well I find it extremely irritating that you treat every nation in Europe as an economic and technological basket-case.

OK. I am slowly coming round to accept that horrendous pricetag for support 🙁

I think once we see the break down of costs you might well breath easier. As pointed out adding a proper multi function radar capable of guiding BVR missiles. Whilst M-SCAN radars like the AN/APG-67(V)4 are not the fashion here these days it is a rather good set going on the paper specifications. Even in comparison to the AN/APG-68(V)9. Looking through some books and a bit Google-fu I think the AN/APG-67 had a SAR mode before the AN/APG-68, even the vanilla T-50 is pretty much more capable then any other equivalent trainer in the region when it comes to combat.

I struggle to believe the South Koreans would diddle you, they appear to be a fairly honourable and reliable supplier. Heck even the UK is buying ships off them now.